Power Rankings Week 9

#1 Stop N Go (8-0)

Pre- Hurricane this team had strung together 2 more wins over Warriors and Empire to make their record 7-0. Since then they have also beaten Desert Eagles to improve to 8-0. In the win over Empire, Talha was unavailable and with Hector still out injured Usman stepped up at QB
and led the team to a great win. They will have two epic games lined up in double header weekend as they face Bandits and Warriors back to back. It’s not probable but quite possible this is the last time we see Stop N Go in the #1 spot

#2 Slumdogs (7-1)

They are the clear cut 1AA in terms of power rankings. It’s worth repeating they have only one blemish (narrow defeat to Stop N Go) and they have pretty much walked through all other opponents (including a one sided victory over the Bandits squad in week 6). The league has
finally gotten a look at their “additions” and the team at full strength is impressive to say the least. We had seen Rishi earlier on and his all around talent. But more recently Binny Seth has proven to be a safety that is no slouch to the guy he plays next to (Jobin: widely regarded as the best in the league). Binny is a playmaker. Pavan on the other hand may be the 2nd best mix of size, height, and hands in the league (Nadir of Bandits gets top nod there). How deep are the Slumdogs? On a critical 4th down play recently against a very tough defense, they had both Jobin and Jeff on the sidelines and still easily executed without a care or concern in the world. It’s one thing to have depth, it’s another to trust it.

#3 Bandits (6-1-1)

After last week’s win (albeit narrowly) over the #4 ranked team Decepts, the Bandits have solidified their spot at #3 and get to face the #1 team this coming week. With Abir and Nadir and Yamin added as receivers, they are as deep as any other team in the league and as it
was proven last year, that’s one of the keys to the winning formula. This team also has a knack for pulling out the close wins. What some may see as an inability to blow teams away, others see as an ability to pull out pressure packed closed games with the clock winding down.
They did exactly that again in their win over Decepts by holding them scoreless under 2 mins then scoring on a gorgeous connection between Jawid and Harvey. Speaking of holding, we see you Yamin ;)

#4 Warriors (4-4)

Too close to call between them and Decepticons but with a win this past week against the Chargers, along with Decepts loss to Bandits, we took a look how these teams has faired against 2 of the top 3. Decepts got mercied by Stop n Go while Warriors put up a better fight against the top team. Decepts lost by a TD to Bandits while Warriors lost by 1 in a come from behind last minute score. So despite a narrow edge by Decepts in their head to head matchup, at this point in
the season Warriors get a slight edge in the “which team would you not want to face in the playoffs” category.

#5 Decepticons (5-3)

What a fight Moe Begawala and his guys put up against the Bandits. Someone on the sidelines was overheard saying this team reminds them a lot of Stop N Go. A lot of unassuming guys who simply make plays, have solid chemistry, communicate well on defense, make adjustments at
half time. They were a critical drop in the endzone and lack of a holding call away from possibly reversing the outcome of the game which goes to show you how well they stack up against the teams listed above them. Samir and Tahreem are solid targets for Moe and when
Muzz and Maaz (no relation) are present, this team has options. Tough test this week against Slumdogs.

#6 Savages (3-4-1)

With a forfeit win over Those Ravens, Savages hold onto this spot. They have yet to obtain a “signature” win even coming close to the sensational win they had in round of last year’s playoffs. The best they’ve done so far is an oxymoronic signature “tie” with the Bandits.
Ties won’t cut it. Playoff spot is secured for them so that pressure is lifted but this team would be well served to put up at least 1 VERY solid performance this double header weekend so they can
hang their hat on something heading into the playoffs. From some observers, Irfan needs to take charge as the undoubted leader of the team on the field and on the sidelines. The slightest signs of insubordination can throw chemistry for a loop and make a team come
across weaker to their opponents. Despite all this, doubt any team is looking forward to playing them in the first round.

#7 Chargers (3-5)

It’s been an up and down season for the bolts. They have however secured a playoff berth with the forfeit loss by the Ravens and the Deagles loss to Stop N Go. Don’t pop the Martinelli’s just yet though. They are another team that needs to use this double header weekend to prove to not only the league but more so themselves about what type of team they are and where they belong. With players like Bobby, Sajeel, Nadeem and veteran leadership in Najeeb and Razi, we
expected this team to do better than they have thus far. Facing Deagles and Decepticons in double header weekend they have a chance to get back to .500 and roar into the playoffs. It’s imperative PJ is present to build chemistry with his receivers. In the playoffs, they’ll go as far as he can take them.

#8 Empire (2-6)

Seriously? 8 weeks in and no one really knows why this team is 2-6 and still in danger of missing the playoffs (the 1-7 Ravens play Deagles and Warriors, while Empire faces Savages and Warriors). Chris Mui can sling it right? Aun and Atif are still playing correct? Sure they lost Dipan but added Kunal who is no slouch! What is it? Maybe they are trying to reverse last year’s approach of starting out hot and then fizzling out towards the end. Whatever it is, they have one weekend to figure things out, make the playoffs, and salvage a season in which they came in as one of the favorites.

#9 Desert Eagles (0-8)

0-8 and they move up?? Yeah. Because they show up. Not a knock on other teams forfeiting, we mean they actually show up to play. This past week they came off a long layoff due to the weather, had a game against the undefeated top team in the league, didn’t have some of their starters, but showed up to play with 6 guys and gave it their all. They have had every excuse to fold but refuse to. That’s first and foremost a testament to their captain Adam, but also to the character of the core guys on the team who refuse to bail on their captain. Not to mention they held Stop N Go to 7 points in the second half with key defensive stops. The way they have come
together, they are in good shape to pull off their first win next week and earned to move up a spot in the rankings.

#10 Those Ravens (1-7)

Not sure the reason for the forfeit but without having seen them play last week and them already hovering at the bottom, no qualms over dropping them down to the 10 spot. They are however still alive in the playoff hunt (not sure how aware they are of this) so it will be interesting to see how they play this week coming off, what is for them, a 4 week layoff.