Before getting into the rankings, we here at BAFFL.ca would like to congratulate the valley lords on securing a new stadium for the 2024 season. We are particularly thankful that our boy chomps will be 15 minutes closer to the rest of the squad and won’t have to endure the harrowing drive down Garden of Eden Rd. For those keeping track at home, we are now at FOUR weeks in a row with symmetrical standings, truly amazing stuff here. 1 win separates 6th place from 12th, from playoffs to owning a goldfish. It’s still anybody’s game, though looking at the standings: in this columnist’s view the current 8 playoff teams might all remain the same, with maybe one spot up for grabs.
#1 – Aquarium Avenue Magikarps 5-1 (-)
The Karps continue to roll despite an uncharacteristically average showing from their offense this week. Cousins had a tough day in a plus matchup, and McCaffrey ran into the vaunted Browns D, and might be banged up for his efforts. Luckily for GM Dufresne, Kareem Hunt looks like he can slide right into the linenup, and Ekeler will likely continue to improve as he works his way back from injury.
#2 – Creek Crossing ZenSharks 5-1 (-)
The Sharks GM declared a loss at approximately 1:14PM on Sunday, but luckily for him his team had a different plan, with his WR trio and Breece Hall leading the way to an impressive 103-90 win. The Sharks have one of the best WR groups in the league, Breece Hall is all the way back, and Gibbs will get a chance to shine with Mongtomery missing time – this team is definitely one to watch and has a chance to go the distance.
#3 – Hibiscus Battle Hogz 4-2 (+3)
The Hogz are on a roll and their fans are in uncharted territory as one of the top teams in BAFFL as we head towards the second half of the season. Losing David Mongtomery was a tough blow early in the game, but the Hogz overcame adversity for a come from behind Monday night win on the back of Tony Pollard. The Hogz GM wasted no time in bolstering the lineup, picking up FA RB Zach Evans who should be able to slide into the lineup to provide stability while Mongtomery works his way back from a rib injury.
#4 – Launay McFavres 4-2 (+3)
The McFavres stopped the bleeding in emphatic fashion, putting up the high score of the week at nearly 125 points despite continued struggles at the QB position. Tyreek Hill is simply unstoppable, and the injury to Achane has cleared the way for Mostert to continue his dominance as arguably the top RB this season and the steal of the draft. The rest of the team had decent performances, but it does feel as though as Miami goes, so will this team. They should be able to guide him to the playoffs, but taking a peak at the Dolphins fantasy playoff schedule – it could be tough sledding for the GM to try to go back to back and enter into dynasty territory.
#5 – Delamere Dawg Pound 3-3 (-2)
The Dawg Pound continue to pace the league in points with 50 more than the next closest team, but they just haven’t been able to catch many breaks in the first half of the season. 90 points would have beaten 9 of the other 13 teams this week, but in the end it’s another “encouraging loss” for the Dawg Pound who have already had their fair share this season. Defensive Co-Ordinator Willy B is on the hot seat – as the team has given up the fourth most points in the league so far
#6 – Crevasse Cheeks 4-2 (-2)
I’m really not sure what to make of this team to be honest. After electric starts – Puka Nacua and Bijan Robinson have come back down to earth, and in what should have been a breakout game for WR Jordan Addison he managed only 3 catches for 28 yards. His day was saved by a tuddy, but it certainly wasn’t a Jefferson-esque performance and it seems unlikely he will take on the role as the unquestioned lead dog. On the positive side, Jared Goff is elite – and baffl.ca is thrilled to see him back in starting lineups in BAFFL.
#7 – Thresher Tornados 3-3 (+2)
Somebody in the Tornados front office must be an avid reader of this column, because after being absolutely shredded in last week’s rankings the team came out guns’ blazing en route to the second highest point total of the week. Travis Etienne continues his impressive play, and scored his fourth touchdown in the past two games. The falcons finally seem to be throwing the ball (although maybe they shouldn’t be) and Drake London had one of his best days as a pro catching 9 of 12 targets for 125 yards. Time will tell if this squad of perennial underachievers will keep things rolling, or revert back to their old ways and slide comfortably into the 9/10 spot.
#8 – NT Angry Birds 3-3 (-3)
This GM is an idiot – first he kept benching Achane while he destroyed the league, and now he continues to start Jonathan Taylor over the clearly superior Zack Moss, whose last 5 weeks look like this: 18.7, 21.5, 9, 32.5, 14.9. Who wouldn’t want that kind of production in their lineup? GMGrove, apparently. Aside from his mystifying roster decisions, he also lost QB Justin Fields on Sunday, and is currently without an active QB on his roster. Lucky for the Angry Birdz, it’s the free spot on the bingo card this week with the Voldemorts, but if anyone can manage to gift them a win it’s this guys.
#9 – Pepsiland Pontooners 2-4 (+3)
Another team that was bodied in this column last week came back with a solid performance, putting up 97 points en route to a whomping of the BIG GUYs. We still don’t believe in this team at all, but after the stinkers put up by some of the other bottom feeders, the Pontooners get a bump by proxy.
#10 – Aconitum Wolves 3-3 (+1)
The good: The Wolves won their third game in a row. Kyle Pitts had maybe his best game ever.
The bad: This team started Justice Hill and D’Onta Foreman. They would have lost to the Valley Lords this week. They still suck, and have to bring Najee Harris back into the lineup this week.
#11 – Minoterie BIG GUYs 2-4 (-3)
The BIG GUYs are down bad and appear to have accepted their fate as a chomps bowl participant for the 5th straight year. If Raheem Mostert is the best pick of the draft, Dameon Pierce might be the worst. He has topped 10 points only twice this year (11 and 13), with a floor of seemingly zero. He has entered into a timeshare with Devon Singletary of all people. Sign me up for whichever RB Houston drafts in 2024 please.
#12 – Moustache Mystics 2-4 (-2)
When I started mapping out the rankings, I wanted to put this team higher just based on vibes, but then I took a look at the roster, and oh boy, I encourage all our readers to take a look. Chubba Hubbard was his best player last week, Sam Howell is his QB, and he is starting a backup TE in the flex spot this week. Should I keep going or……? This might be the matchup the BIG GUYs need to stop the bleeding.
#13 – Valley Peasants 1-5 (-)
Kyren Williams, the lone bright spot for the peasants, is out for multiple weeks. Jaleel McLaughlin and Cam Akers starting RBs. Jerry Jeudy continues to be in the starting lineup. There’s a strong case to be made this is the worst team in BAFFL, but I feel as though #14 needs to win their way out of that spot instead of another team tumble into it.
#14 – Voldemorts 1-5 (-)
The season high in points for the Voldemorts stands at 80.64, and they cracked the 70 point barrier for the fourth time this season, so they got that going for them, which is nice. Kamara looks good in his return to the lineup, and Stevenson had a strong showing for the first time this year. Like I said, on paper this team might be the 12th best, but they are going to need to put it together to move out of the #14 spot. Either way, they are a mortal lock for the chomps bowl, but last week a few teams took a step towards them as betting favourites.
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