Post by League Records on Oct 22, 2011 11:55:28 GMT -5
1) Packers (5-1) - with A Rod directing traffic and the dynasty setting allowing the Packers to not have to deal with the same headaches of other leagues caused by deciding which Packers players will score this week, it's a pretty easy situation they find themselves in at Lambeau even with 1 super bowl already under their belts. The only thing I want to know is why the original owner wasn't active enough to keep his team 
2) Texans (4-2) - You may not know it from looking at their 2 losses, but here's a team that seems to be lurking in the shadows waiting to bust out big time in coming weeks. Gates has been hurt, Andre has been hurt, Foster has been hurt. AJ Green appears to be a young star, and Demarco Murray could very well be a strong contributor as well. Their defense was no slouch before they brought in Briggs and Barnett to hold down the fort. In a strong start for the AFC South, they look to still be the favorite with big time spending and moves in the offseason
3) Bears (5-1) - this team looks more set for both now and in the future than other teams. They have a scary good backfield of Forte and Mathews and a pass catcher like Jimmy Graham to go with Cutler and the Bears core D minus Briggs plus alot of point scoring potential and great depth across the board. With plenty of cap space and draft picks, this team can only get stronger in the offseason. It remains to be seen if they'll have the firepower to hold off the Pack. Luckily for Bears fans though who know it too well, winning the NFC North is only step 1
4) Patriots (5-1) - Brady to Welker is a fantasy duo that not many teams are lucky enough to have. It is reminiscent of the Brady to Moss season of 2007. Similarly, Brady to Gronkowski is another duo that not many teams are lucky enough to have. In a dynasty setting, the Pats here have both which is a scary proposition for opponents. Those 3 players alone could be enough to carry a fantasy team to a championship. We might have a chance to see if it does.
5) Panthers (5-1) - the Madden curse seems alive and well so far in Carolina this season. Charles is out for the season, Peyton Hillis seemed cursed from the start and is now traded, Thomas Davis is again out for the year. Yet this team still has a lot of playmakers and clearly used the offseason money and moves wisely in an attempt for now. They have little breathing room with no cap space and no picks for the future, but the turnaround they have made from last season has been nothing short of fantastic
6) Steelers (5-1) - here's a team that hasn't been playing up to expectations especially on the defensive side of the ball. Yet they keep scrapping out victories and remain up at the top of the league. Since they are winning even now, it could potentially get alot more frightening if they start playing good
7) Bengals (4-2) - do not sleep on Cincinnati this year. This team has quietly put together a monster with still good cap space and a few 2nd round picks next year. Adding (still cursed?) Hillis to a backfield with Bradshaw could work out perfectly in a lineup with a passing game of Fitz to Jordy, Decker, and Lloyd. The defense has plenty of options to go to with strong depth and productive players even without the superstar. Seeing this team eventually win the AFC North should not surprise anyone if it happens
8) Falcons (4-2) - with the NFL's leading rusher in McFadden and fantasy Def Coord's nightmare in Michael Vick, struggling Roddy White's emergence could be the only thing this team needs to start pushing to the top of the very tough NFC South. They do lack the superstar threat on defense, but have good depth and could be an offensive playmaker away from being a powerhouse down the road
9) Lions (5-1) - Stafford to Megatron keeps lighting up the scoreboards and producing victories. If their defense continues to perform and even improves over the next few weeks, they may have enough complimentary pieces to get the job done. Willis McGahee and Michael Bush should pay large dividends the remainder of this season 2012 - even with high price tags, it appears they knew they needed a runner to stay in the NFC North race with the Bears and Packers.
10) Ravens (4-1) - with defensive playmakers to go with Ray Rice, it is not hard to see why this team is 4-1 despite the QB Carousel they've had going on this season. Matt Cassel is the newest guy to take snaps in Baltimore and should add some much needed consistency. He's got a few guys to throw the ball to as well which will definitely be needed to contend in that AFC North
2) Texans (4-2) - You may not know it from looking at their 2 losses, but here's a team that seems to be lurking in the shadows waiting to bust out big time in coming weeks. Gates has been hurt, Andre has been hurt, Foster has been hurt. AJ Green appears to be a young star, and Demarco Murray could very well be a strong contributor as well. Their defense was no slouch before they brought in Briggs and Barnett to hold down the fort. In a strong start for the AFC South, they look to still be the favorite with big time spending and moves in the offseason
3) Bears (5-1) - this team looks more set for both now and in the future than other teams. They have a scary good backfield of Forte and Mathews and a pass catcher like Jimmy Graham to go with Cutler and the Bears core D minus Briggs plus alot of point scoring potential and great depth across the board. With plenty of cap space and draft picks, this team can only get stronger in the offseason. It remains to be seen if they'll have the firepower to hold off the Pack. Luckily for Bears fans though who know it too well, winning the NFC North is only step 1
4) Patriots (5-1) - Brady to Welker is a fantasy duo that not many teams are lucky enough to have. It is reminiscent of the Brady to Moss season of 2007. Similarly, Brady to Gronkowski is another duo that not many teams are lucky enough to have. In a dynasty setting, the Pats here have both which is a scary proposition for opponents. Those 3 players alone could be enough to carry a fantasy team to a championship. We might have a chance to see if it does.
5) Panthers (5-1) - the Madden curse seems alive and well so far in Carolina this season. Charles is out for the season, Peyton Hillis seemed cursed from the start and is now traded, Thomas Davis is again out for the year. Yet this team still has a lot of playmakers and clearly used the offseason money and moves wisely in an attempt for now. They have little breathing room with no cap space and no picks for the future, but the turnaround they have made from last season has been nothing short of fantastic
6) Steelers (5-1) - here's a team that hasn't been playing up to expectations especially on the defensive side of the ball. Yet they keep scrapping out victories and remain up at the top of the league. Since they are winning even now, it could potentially get alot more frightening if they start playing good
7) Bengals (4-2) - do not sleep on Cincinnati this year. This team has quietly put together a monster with still good cap space and a few 2nd round picks next year. Adding (still cursed?) Hillis to a backfield with Bradshaw could work out perfectly in a lineup with a passing game of Fitz to Jordy, Decker, and Lloyd. The defense has plenty of options to go to with strong depth and productive players even without the superstar. Seeing this team eventually win the AFC North should not surprise anyone if it happens
8) Falcons (4-2) - with the NFL's leading rusher in McFadden and fantasy Def Coord's nightmare in Michael Vick, struggling Roddy White's emergence could be the only thing this team needs to start pushing to the top of the very tough NFC South. They do lack the superstar threat on defense, but have good depth and could be an offensive playmaker away from being a powerhouse down the road
9) Lions (5-1) - Stafford to Megatron keeps lighting up the scoreboards and producing victories. If their defense continues to perform and even improves over the next few weeks, they may have enough complimentary pieces to get the job done. Willis McGahee and Michael Bush should pay large dividends the remainder of this season 2012 - even with high price tags, it appears they knew they needed a runner to stay in the NFC North race with the Bears and Packers.
10) Ravens (4-1) - with defensive playmakers to go with Ray Rice, it is not hard to see why this team is 4-1 despite the QB Carousel they've had going on this season. Matt Cassel is the newest guy to take snaps in Baltimore and should add some much needed consistency. He's got a few guys to throw the ball to as well which will definitely be needed to contend in that AFC North
