Week 8 - What a Weird Year

I know anyone can say this in hindsight but I knew this year was going to be weird. After about the top 26 picks in the draft, the next 5 rounds were going to be a crapshoot. It was really hard to justify a certain receiver over a back or how early or late certain QBs or TEs should go. And that has manifested itself into one of the weirdest rankings I've seen at the midpoint of the season.

8 teams are 4-3.

The worst 2 teams are only 2 games out of a playoff spot but also only 2 games out from being 1st.

If you take out the best and worst team outliers, the PF between 2nd and 11th is less than 70 points (<10 points per week).

The volatility of the real life product is reflected in the fantasy season. The lower scoring offenses, no "good" teams after the 3 dominant teams in the league, fading older QBs, inconsistent younger QBs, aging WRs being displaced by streaky young guns, and the RB and TE landscape being extremely murky beyond the top 2 or 3 options all have coalesced into a season where truly anybody can win. So let's see who we think will actually be fighting for the prize 7 weeks from now.

Championship Favorites

#winnable (Chris)

I'm sure you've heard from me ad naseum but having Mahomes guarantees a ship. But aside from that stat, Mahomes has literally been one of the best performers in fantasy. Only scoring under 20 once and the explosive potential to hit 40+ in any week, he's truly a fantasy cheat code. On top of that, if Taysom Hill gets any more play, Chris may be starting 2 QBs against every other team in the league. With his PF lead and a lineup without any true weakness (could use some more star power at WR), Chris should waltz in to the playoffs.

Jacked Up! (Cho)

Cho's team has kind of flown under the radar but if you really take a look at it, it's a juggernaut. Lamar is having an MVP-esque season, he arguably has 3 WR1s, he has the overall RB1 who could become even better in SF, and a Dallas defense that hunts sacks and turnovers that, even though they may be matchup proof, has a very favorable schedule. If he can upgrade his RB2 before the final push, he may be fighting for a bye.

Playoff Locks

Trey Lance Refrigeration (Eric)

Imagine if Eric had a decent QB. He's got 3 top 24 WRs, 2 underrated RBs whose pre-draft value got pushed so far down they ended up becoming potential league winners, and the undisputed #1 TE in the game. Wilson has always been a notoriously slow starter in fantasy, always performing better in the second half of seasons. If he can rediscover some of that magic and become a top 8 QB on a consistent basis, this could be the most complete team top to bottom.

Fe-Brees (Jon)

Jon's team has performed about league average to this point but I think his second half outlook looks great. Juju is starting to thrive next to Mahomes. Ken Walker looks like a true RB1. Tyreek has put to rest any question to whether or not he should be a top 5 WR regardless of who is throwing him the ball. Kyler Murray has shown that he can perform if he has the right weapons on the field with him. While Jonathan Taylor is struggling, he has too much talent so I expect him to bounce back. If Dulcich works out for Jon, watch out.

Dalvin & the Chubbmunks (Rich)

Arguably the best name this year, Rich's team has actually been incredibly solid. He's just had some horrendous matchup luck with some of the biggest scoring games coming against him. His WR3 spot is in flux after Samuel and London have been dealing with some QB issues, but Dalvin and Chubb carry this team as 2 workhorse backs that are the foundation of their offense. Burrow is discovering that magic again that got them to the super bowl last year and if Hock can be a top 5 TE (which isn't that hard with how poorly the position has been doing), Rich might climb up the standings quickly.

The Lucky Last One In

So this was a close one between Dan and Mike. But in the end I chose...

Urkel Grue (Dan)

While both teams look pretty solid on paper, I like Dan's fully healthy team better. Waddle, Diggs, and Keenan form a ridiculous trio at WR, along with Mixon and Etienne who have both been utilized in less than ideal settings but are starting to trend in the right direction. Kittle could actually end up as the TE3 with CMC eating up some of his target share but creating more efficient gains when he does get the ball. Carr is a little underwhelming but maybe Geno can be the x-factor that takes this team over the top. Mike's team looks solid too but it just looks like a step down on everything I wrote about Eric's team (3 top 36 WRs, 2 younger but more volatile backs, #2 TE).

Good luck to all!