# 1 SAVAGES (1-0-1)
# 1 BANDITS (1-0-1)
An argument can be made for either of these teams to be at the top of the power rankings and that's just what we'll do. They both won against solid competition in week 1 then went head to head in what will likely go down as the game of the year in a 48-48 tie meaning they are both undefeated and have put the league on notice that a 50 spot is not out of the question when they step onto the field against you.
Reasons why Bandits should be #1: More depth, more athletic, and beat a higher ranked team in week 1
Reasons why Savages should be #1: Better overall QB play (especially if MVP Anwar is there), arguably better chemistry, more dominating shutout performance in week 1
Too close to call. So we won't. With Anwar possibly relocating to NC though, Bandits may seem to be the better long term canidate to sit atop the power rankings.
Next Opponent for Savages: Decepticons
Next Opponent for Bandits: Desert Eagles
# 3 STOP N GO (2-0)
2-0 and you drop 2 spots? Let's explain. Stop N Go faced a hungry Chargers team and altough both teams were missing a few guys, Chargers were missing their starting QB, PJ. Stop N Go should have made it much more difficult for Razi to drive his team up and down the field much like we were used to seeing in their late season and playoff run last year. This was a prime opportunity to play a better game on both sides of the ball to remind everyone they are still the champs and convincingly retain the #1 spot in the rankings. Once they came away with an underwhelming 28-20 win in the first game of the day, the #1 spot was up for grabs by the winner of Bandits v Savages. Well, there wasn't a loser in that game so both of those teams end up unexpectedly leapfrogging Stop N Go, pushing them down to #3.
Next Opponent: Those Ravens
# 4 SLUMDOGS (1-1)
Slumdogs put a nice thrashing on Those Ravens, especially in the 2nd half to maintain a large deficit and closed out their young and hungry opponent. They are back at .500 with a 1-1 record. Week in and week out Mike Chu is his own biggest critic which means he's working to get better rather than resting on his laurels. If Jobin continues to get more looks on the offensive side and Rishi turns out to be a solid #2 target, they should remain in the upper echelon throughout the season.
Next Opponent: Warriors
# 5 Decepticons (2-0)
We asked them to show us more of they are capable of in week two and they did just that with a defensive grindout win against the Warriors. Firey leader? Check. Athletic talent? Check. Offensive firepower? Check Ability to play lockdown D? Check. This team has all the ingredients for the #5 spot to likely be the lowest for them baring injury/attendence issues. Unfortunately all teams above them continued to have success so they stay parked at the #5 spot. This changes next week as they face one of the top 4 teams!
Next Opponent: Savages
# 6 Warriors (0-2)
They are 0-2, so how can they be ranked higher than two teams who are 1-1?? Because of who they've faced. They have lost one possession games to a team tied for the #1 spot in the power rankings in week 1 and similarly the team above them beat Warriors in a close game this past week. Not convinced they should be any lower than 6th at this point despite their record. It doesn't get much eaiser though as they face another top ranked team in week 3 in the Slumdogs. 0-3 would be a big hole.
Next Opponent: Slumdogs
# 7 Empire (1-1)
This team literally brought an Empire to the field for week 2. Lots of new additions with the roster expanded to 14, there was a sea of yellow on the far sideline at Eisenhower 6A. Well they drowned their opponent early and held them underwater just for good measure in the form of a mercy win over the Deagles. Given their opponent they stay at #7 but for what its worth, they looked like the old Empire. Chris Mui was as accurate as ever (which can sometimes be harder to do when your receivers are WIDE open) and his chemistry with newcomer Kunal is only second to his chemistry with Atif.
Next Opponent: Chargers
# 8 Chargers (0-2)
Shorthanded, they gave last year's champs a run for their money. Despite the 0-2 record, a receiving core of Bobby, Sajeel, and Nadeem is on par with any top 3 receivers in the league. The way they displayed their talent that they possess has them jump a spot in the rankings. But like the Warriors, they have another tough opponent this week in Empire and must come out with a vengence to avoid going 0-3 considering they still have teams like Bandits, Slumdogs, and Decepticons on the horizon.
Next Opponent: Empire
# 9 Those Ravens (1-1)
They looked great in week 1 but a tough week 2 opponent in Slumdogs combined with schedule conflicts which depleted their roster of some talent leads this team down to the 9 spot in the rankings. There is some unknown about how much resiliancy this young team can show knowing the type of talent they will face the rest of the season. Might not be the best time to tell them this, but they get to play the champs in week 3.
Next Opponent: Stop N Go
#10 Desert Eagles (0-2)
The bad news: We don't think they realize Fazil's potential or know his pedigree just yet (His brothers have a combined 10+ SouthAsianSports championships). Jersey's won't help you win games. The athletes still need to put themselves in the right positions and make plays (they have had multiple easy TDs dropped in the endzone) They also have been advised to switch out of the hybrid man to man with a single high safety defense subtly with hints and recently more directly on the field by various players in the league but so far they haven't adjusted. If the safety was making plays that's one thing, but having no pressure on the QB, they let Chris Mui wait until a receiver got open along the sidelines (away from the safety) and make a perfect throw each time with no one in his face. Its too hard to guard guys man to man up for more than 5 - 6 seconds. The few times they did play lockdown defense, Chris Mui would just run for 15 yards. With the right adjustments, they can at least give themselves a better chance to complete.
Next Opponent: Bandits
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