#1. Stop N Go (1-0)
Although they eeked out a victory against Slumdogs that were well up to the task in the finals rematch, a win is a win and keeps StopNGo atop the power rankings. We'll have to keep an eye out for their offensive struggles to determine if it was off-season rust or something else, but the defense had 5 interceptions, led by Suleman with 3 picks, and got the big stop with the game on the line. If the offense begins to click again, watch out! Next opponent: Chargers (Chargers will be hungry to prove themselves so Stop N Go needs to be well prepared)
#2. Savages (1-0)
They move up from the 3 spot after not only winning in week 1, but essentially dismantling the Chargers who came in with high hopes following solid off-season pickups. Irfan seems to have had no problem merging the new talent to an already cohesive unit. Last year's MVP is their backup QB! An argument could easily be made for them to be #1 given the dominance they displayed week 1. Next Opponent: Bandits (likely GOTW as its one of the best matchups of this young season)
#3. Bandits (1-0)
A solid win in week 1 against Aldo's Warriors has this team moving up in the power rankings. They already had one of the better rosters in terms of athletisicm and went ahead and added a superstar in the making in Nadir and an MVP caliber QB in Jawid to round it all out. This lead to success on the field as they came out on top week 1 in a close game coming from behind. They won't be sneaking up on anyone this season as they did last year. Next Opponent: Savages (likely GOTW as its one of the best matchups of this young season)
#4. Slumdogs (0-1)
Are there other teams that deserve to be #4? Possibly. But its tough to drop Slumdogs more than 2 spots after the performance they put up against the reigning champs despite only having 6 guys suit up; one of them being new comer Rishi playing for the first time in SAFL. Mike, although had problems with the turnover, also made some ridiculous throws all day and not enough can be said about Jobin. After Suleman got the best of their matchup in the finals, Jobin has come out with something to prove this season. Look for him to have yet another top 5 defensive player type season again this year but he seems to have made a mental effort to be as successful on the offensive side as well. Next opponent: Those Ravens (Slumdogs will try to greet these newcomers with a stingy defense in week 2)
#5. Decepticons (1-0)
Could easily make a case for this team to be higher in the rankings, but being new, lets see if they can sustain or maybe even improve upon their week 1 performance which saw them mercy Empire, one of the best teams from a year ago. Moe and Maaz have these guys playing a phsyical brand of football with new faces looking to make a splash in SAFL's second season. With Moe as QB, surrounded by several playmakers, this team should be in the thick of things all season long. Next Opponent: Warriors (battle of two new teams with both captains being former teamates on NGNG)
#6 Warriors (0-1)
After a close loss to the super talented Bandits squad, the Warriors hold down the #6 spot in the power rankings. Their week 1 matchup could have gone eitherway but a win wasn't meant to be in this team's first regular season game. Still, with arguably the league's best overall QB in Aldo, and several week's of practice time already under their belt, this team is primed to put it all together pretty quickly this season. Next Opponent: Decepticons (battle of two new teams with both captains being former teamates on NGNG)
#7 Empire (0-1)
What a difference a year makes. Last season this team opened up with what many considered an upset win against the pre-season favorites Stop N Go. This year, minus Dipan, they took a tough loss at the hands of a red hot Decepticons. Tough to imagine this team dropping down to the 7 spot after week 1 but that goes to show you the depth of talent in SAFL in season 2. Shazad and Atif will work to get this ship back on track and with a QB like Chris Mui at the helm, they should expect to compete with any team this season. Next Opponent: Desert Eagles (Deagles have some athletes so Empire should be weary of a trap game)
#8 Those Ravens (1-0)
Sure Ahmad Halimi's Ravens squad had a resounding victory in week 1 but it was shrouded in question marks over the make up of their roster and it came against a team which practiced for the first time half hour before game time. This team certainly has the youth and play makers but the QB situation is still a question mark and they will need to prove themselves against an established team before they can move up in the rankings. Next Opponent: Slumdogs (This matchup should give us a better idea of where Those Ravens stack up)
#9 Chargers (0-1)
Tough to imagine after the off-season pickups and changes this team (formerly the Believers) went through, we'd be seeing them at #9 in the rankings after week 1. But from their perspective it is exactly that: 1 week. Whether they lost by 31 or 1, its only one loss and it came one of the most talented teams in the league (Savages) before the Chargers have had a chance to establish chemistry and roles on the field. They will look to learn from their mistakes and put on a better showing in week 2. Next Opponent: Stop N Go (two of the toughest teams back to back. This team must pull together to avoid starting in an 0-2 hole)
#10 Desert Eagles (0-1)
Adam's team had a tough task pulling together a competitive team on short notice. They came into the regular season without having their QB situation sorted out. What they do have is a good group of athletes, lead by Mino Yusuf and Zeeshan who brings his winning attitude and the potential to be a solid QB. This team needs time to figure out their defensive scheme as the mix of man to man with a deep safety they tried to deploy against Those Ravens simply will not work in a 6 on 6 format. Similarly their primary issues on offense were not being able to adjust to playing against a zone defense. Once some of these wrinkles are ironed out, expect this team to put up competitive games. Next Opponent: Empire (it doesn't get any easier for the Eagles as they will face a tough Empire team looking to rebound from a week 1 loss)
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