2021 Power Rankings: Week 8 - a podcast by LOC Films

Hello, hello, welcome to another Sunday edition of the Power Rankings. I was going to say ‘another trip to’, but realised that was a reference back to the old days of ‘EDOTLOCCA’s Corner’, which some of you will of course recall was an even more vague and subjective piece of weekly literature. So, next time you are questioning quite which direction a particular thought train will drift from the correct tracks, remember ‘EDOTLOCCA’s Corner’, and think about how much worse it could have been. With that said, enjoy;

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12. Napolitans (1-6) No Change

A decent week for them, notwithstanding the loss, but they should be getting used to them. Booker looks like he will do a decent job filling in for Saquon, and Taylor is well in rhythm now. They just need to catch a couple of breaks and they will pick up wins. Keeping Burrow simply for a bye-week replacement seems like a lost trade opportunity.

11. U R Gould (2-5) No Change

Having now scored the lowest total points by some margin, a team that looked rudderless post-draft has managed to drift into particularly stormy waters. The roster, particularly the receivers, doesn’t actually seem too bad, they just don’t seem to be able to get any kind of consistency going week to week. A lesson in draft day availability may, and should, have been learnt.

10. Burdettinators (3-4) Down 1

Their QBs have been their strength all season, in fact I’m surprised one hasn’t been moved to try and boost a roster that is otherwise not hitting the right gears. I called them boom or bust to start the season, but the lack of boom they are getting, particularly from Jones and Ridley, is concerning to say the least. Taking some shots on some guys coming back from injuries could help.

9. Tom’s Tyrants (2-5) Down 1

Underwhelming would be an understatement. Missing out on close losses when they had the chance is coming back to bite them now the team is not performing as well. To stay competitive, the notoriously slow starters will have to do something shortly, at 2-5 the season is starting to move away from them.

8. Buccing The Trend (4-3) Up 2

Right, I’ll get my caveat in early; they have conceded the least points in the league. With that out the way though, they have been on a good streak and their points totals seem to increase weekly, putting them at a competitive 4-3. Between the Bears RB pecking order, Sanders injury and Chubb’s return, it wasn’t a great week for their RB stable. Losing Sanders could be a blessing in disguise though, taking away the pressure to play a high draft pick who wasn’t performing.

7. Patistan (3-4) Down 2

Not getting any help from a tough division, but this team is definitely a ghost of what they were. They still have Brady, and Moore and Godwin will have their good weeks, but outside of that they are in fairly unknown waters. Their total points is good, they still have a solid route to the playoffs, but they will keep falling in these rankings until they put up a good score again.

6. IKSAN (3-4) No Change

Not a bad score (10/12 teams this season would probably be quite happy with it in fact), but tough opposition has stymied their progress. They are a decent team in a decent spot though, if Nick Chubb can garner himself a few more carries without Hunt, the extra opportunity would be another boost after the Mark Andrews renaissance.

5. FTMAL (4-3) Down 1

All good teams need to win when they play badly. Quite how much of a good team this is in their current state may be up for debate, however. Lots of the early season steam seems to have dissipated, but they are getting a bit healthier again. Mahomes starting to play like the player we all expect again would help.

4. Gridiron Gang (4-3) Up 3

A good week, particularly without main man Zeke. With Mitchell coming back into a lead role, and A.J. Brown coming back to the NFL after a peculiar on-field absence, they are in the best spot they have been for quite a while. In a division ripe for the taking (8^th, 9^th, 10, 11^thin total scoring (yes, really)), they are in a great spot for a playoff push. 

3. Bear Necessities (4-3) No Change

One of the more uneven scorelines of the week, not least due to Darnold’s dud. Presumably he’s in last chance saloon this week, although Atlanta isn’t the worst place to do that. They also get their bye-week Bills back, so will be in a better spot as a result. The important thing is they picked up another win whilst they wait for the Wilson return.

2. Forge Flyers (6-1) No Change

A new week and a different big scorer, Kupp stepped up again on this occasion. They’ve got the number 1 RB and WR, plus some other single-digit contributors on the roster. Safe to say, this was a well drafted team that is deservedly sitting pretty. 

1. The Dream Team (6-1) No Change

Ja’Marr Chase is an absolute star. Lots of people were fading him on draft day, but that seems crazy now. After watching what college second-fiddle, Justin Jefferson, did in the NFL last year, I guess we shouldn’t have been surprised. The rest of the roster is pretty sweet too by the way, just got to give Ja’Marr his due.

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Hope you’re all happy then. I’m sure some of you are at least. There is still plenty of fight in the middle order. For those of you (us) starting to question their odds in this particular fight, this is a new week, chin up! Or, in another ‘EDOTLOCCA’s Corner’ reference, perhaps a return to some bold predictions would be a better use of time?

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