2017 Week 1 Power Rankings — Part 2
This second tier of power rankings is probably the closest. It only consists of three teams, but their proper rankings are almost indistinguishable. By process of elimination two of these teams are likely to make the playoffs, while the other is on the outside looking in. So that means all three of them need to be better. They need to be better at winning or better at losing and stop dicking around in the middle of the pack.
NEED TO BE BETTER TIER
7 — MEHrino’s MEHn as the Cincinnati Bengals
Dan, who has rostered Andy Dalton since the league’s inception, finishes his season similarly to the Red Rifle as well. It’s never as good as it should’ve been, but it could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.
Brandin Cooks is the MEHn’s version of the Bengals’ AJ Green. Cooks provides the closest to a sure thing, especially after the Edelman injury. The rest of the roster consists of a bunch of high variable players. Marino does have most of his own insurance policies rostered, but for that to really come in handy any variability has to be season long not week to week. If it’s the latter then each week just turns into a guessing game.
Much like the Bengals, no one would be surprised to see them earn a wild card spot. But no one is banking on it nor would they be surprised to just miss entirely.
Sarlo’s Supposition (5) —Probably the biggest discrepancy between myself and Hallahan, though admittedly it’s hard for me to separate any of the teams in the next 3.
6 — Mealey’s Taco-ver as the Indianapolis Colts
This team’s hopes rely almost entirely on the health of Andrew Luck.
Even after the Ezekiel Elliot trade, Troy is sporting a roster that is pretty solid but lacking depth. Unlike his NFL counterpart, Troy does have a decent backup QB in Carson Palmer, but similar to the Colts expectations for this team will be in limbo until the Luck situation is clearer.
Sarlo’s Supposition (6) —Makes sense. Could go up if Luck is back sooner than later, could go down if Luck misses an extended period of time and guys like Landry drop off as much as I’m expecting.
5— Viva La France as the Carolina Panthers
Whatever cockamaimy scheme Sarlo is cooking up to make his team relevant, it hasn’t seemed to work yet. Last year, much like the Panthers, was a surprisingly disappointing season. They both made some major changes and are hoping it pays off to bring the success they missed out on last year.
Like Newton, Benjamin, and Stewart there are guys on Sarlo’s roster who have shown they can produce. But will Watkins, Robinson, and Hilton be able to produce like we’ve seem them in the past? If not are the young guns able to step up this soon?
Totally unrelated to the Panthers (but totally related to Troy’s team), Sarlo’s team also depends on Andrew Luck. Hilton and Moncrief will both be hampered by Tolzien. One of them is likely to still be startable, but no Luck is a big hit on their fantasy prospects.
Sarlo’s Supposition (7) —I think my team could easily be at 5, but virtually every WR on the team falls under the “has upside, but…” category. Andrew Luck is boning me pretty badly too, probably even worse than Troy. Get your shit together Colts!
