With September complete, everyone should now have a clear sense of how their roster stacks up. This week’s newsletter compares each team’s early performance with its preseason projection.
Surprise Teams
John’s Scary Team
Looked like an average team entering the season, JST has surged over the past two weeks, averaging more than 170 points per game. A trio of standout pass catchers has powered the improvement: Jaxson Smith-Njigba has elevated his game, Garrett Wilson has performed like a top-10 wide receiver with competent quarterback play, and George Kittle has also been excellent.
If Kittle can avoid his usual injury issues, JST could remain a contender for the long haul.
Stick Rock
Initially placed in the second tier, Stick Rock has exceeded expectations by averaging 164 points per game. Running backs Jonathan Taylor and KWIII have led the way, while Brock Purdy has performed like a top-three quarterback.
The starting lineup looks strong, but the bench remains thin. That lack of depth could become a problem once bye weeks and injuries begin to take their toll.
Teams Performing as Expected
MKBA
Pete’s team looked strong after the draft, and nothing has changed through the first month. With Jayden Daniels injured, Deshaun Watson could prove to be a valuable replacement. Christian Watson and Dalton Kincaid have also emerged as draft-day steals.
Black Ghostbusters
The Ghostbusters are scoring at a high level, averaging more than 165 points per game, and their only loss came by half a point. Wide receiver remains the team’s greatest strength: Jaylen Waddle and Jalen Coker joined a group that already featured Ja’Marr Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Milford Football Team
Josh Allen has been as good as advertised, while the running back duo of Derrick Henry and Javonte Williams has been an excellent addition. However, MFT will need to upgrade at wide receiver to stay in contention.
Springfield Flanders
Flanders has remained competitive despite receiving almost no production from three of its four keepers. De’Von Achane is out for the season with a torn ACL, while Brock Bowers and Puka Nacua have each appeared in only one game. Chris Olave is the lone keeper to deliver consistently, averaging 23.5 points per game.
The team has stayed afloat because of its much-maligned quarterback room, led by afterthoughts Tyler Shough and Bryce Young. If Flanders can remain competitive until the roster gets healthy, the team should be a playoff contender.
Wrath of Khan
The roster did not look strong on paper after the draft, and the early results have confirmed those projections. The quarterbacks and wide receivers have struggled badly. Justin Herbert is averaging 13.3 points per game, while Kyler Murray is averaging just 6.
Both quarterbacks need to improve quickly, or Jimmy’s season could effectively be over by Columbus Day.
Dark Helmet
Dark Helmet was not projected to perform well, but the team has shown signs of life. Trey McBride has been the league’s best tight end, and turning Saquon Barkley into two solid starters—Jalen Coker and Kyren Williams—has strengthened the everyday lineup.
Jaxson Dart’s injury was a major setback, but Geno Smith has been an adequate replacement, with Michael Penix waiting in the wings.
Teams Falling Short of Expectations
Peeping Tomlins
This roster appeared capable of competing, but weak running back production has held it back. Rookie Jeremiyah Love has been solid but is still adjusting to the NFL. Jaylen Warren has been inconsistent, although he is coming off a strong Week 3.
Sam LaPorta has been serviceable at tight end, but Detroit’s tendency to spread the ball around limits his TD opportunities. The team’s heavy investment at quarterback, however, is already paying dividends: Dak Prescott is averaging 25.7 points per game, and Patrick Mahomes is averaging 26.9.
Skoal Bandits
The Bandits also drafted QBs early, but their results have been far worse. Drake Maye has been virtually unplayable at 8.02 points per game. Bo Nix’s strong Week 3 raised his average to 16.12 points per game, but the position remains a major weakness.
Fortunately, the Bandits have a three-headed running back group keeping them afloat:
Bijan Robertson — 26 points per game
CMC — 19.3 points per game
Chuba Hubbard — 17.7 points per game
If Nico Collins and Zay Flowers can stay healthy, the Bandits should remain in the hunt. Still, using some of that running back depth in a trade for a reliable quarterback may be the team’s best path forward.
Week 3 Results:
Mel Kiper’s Best Available 161, Milford Football Team 124
MKBA Keeps Rolling
Mel Kiper’s Best Available earned a convincing win over the previously unbeaten Milford Football Team in a matchup between the league’s two longest team names.
MKBA’s balanced attack was led by:
Jahmyr Gibbs — 41 points
Lamar Jackson — 24.44 points
Deshaun Watson — 24 points
MFT Takes Its First Loss
A shallow lineup doomed MFT as Adonai Mitchell scored zero, while David Montgomery (6.8) and T.J. Hockenson (0.1) provided little additional help.
MFT’s top performers were:
Jacoby Brissett — 29 points
Derrick Henry — 21 points
Stick Rock 165, Peeping Tomlins 136
Stick Rock Improves to 3–0
Stick Rock rode a top-heavy scoring attack to a comfortable win, despite limited production from the rest of the lineup and is the leagues last remaining unbeaten team..
Stick Rock’s top performers were:
Brock Purdy — 40 points
Joe Burrow — 28 points
KW III — 21 points
Together, the trio accounted for 90 of Stick Rock’s 165 points.
Tomlins improved scoring but still fall short
The Tomlins posted their highest score of the season but could not come up with the victory.
The Tomlins’ top performers were:
Jaylen Warren — 21 points
Jeremiyah Love — 21 points
Dak Prescott — 20 points
John’s Scary Team 166.78 , Dark Helmet 166.62
In the season’s second father-son matchup, the younger generation again showed no mercy on their dads. Jalen Hurts did just enough for John to hang on for the victory by .16 points after beating the Ghostbusters last week by .54. That is 2 wins with a combined .70 margin of victory.
JST’s Stars Lead the Way
JST relied on their stars, with its five highest scorers producing 66% of the team’s total. The running backs have promise, but they need to find the end zone more consistently.
JST’s leading scorers were:
JSN — 35 points
Garrett Wilson — 26 points
George Kittle — 26 points
Dark Helmet Nearly Steals It
Dark Helmet mounted a strong challenge and nearly pulled out the victory on Monday night.
Dark Helmet’s leading scorers were:
Geno Smith — 32 points
Trevor Lawrence — 25 points
Kyren Williams — 21 points
Skoal Bandits 186, Wrath of Khan 109
Bandits Cruise to a much Needed Win
The Bandits took control early and never looked back. After a difficult opening schedule, they finally enjoyed a comfortable victory.
The Bandits’ top performers were:
Bijan Robinson — 36 points
Bo Nix — 28 points
Juwan Johnson — 23 points
Khan’s Struggles Continue
Wrath of Khan endured a dismal outing, and the bench offers little hope for the future. The team’s best backup quarterback is no longer a viable option with Sam Darnold back from injury, while the remaining reserves do not receive enough playing time to contribute consistently. The entire bench scored just 24.8 points.
Wrath of Khan’s top performer was:
Drake London — 28 points
That’s the entire list. London scored 28 points on Thursday night, while the rest of Jim’s roster combined for 81 on Sunday.
Ghostbusters 139, Springfield Flanders 111
This divisional matchup carried significant standings implications. A Flanders win would have created a two-game lead over the Ghostbusters and secured an early 1–0 advantage in the playoff tiebreaker.
Ghostbusters Win a Key Divisional Game
The QB’s have been carrying this team in the early going. If the RBs can get going, this team can contend for the title.
The Ghostbusters’ leading scorers were:
Ja’Marr Chase — 24 points
Jared Goff — 23 points
Jordan Love — 22 points
Early Injuries Sink Flanders
Early injuries to Achane and Etienne weakened an already thin starting lineup, and Flanders went down quietly. Glenn must hope Josh Jacobs returns from suspension soon, because the roster badly needs help at running back.
Flanders’ leading scorers were:
Tyler Shough — 31 points
Chris Olave — 19 points
That’s it for this week. And remember,