Rivalry week is here! The final 4 weeks are all against either main, secondary, or random rivals, and bragging rights aren't the only thing on the line. Will more moves be made to make a final push? With one week remaining before the trade deadline, the top 6 is shaping up very nicely. The rest... Well...

-Commish

Tier 1: Big Boys

1. Washington Fantasy Team (+3)

What a season it has turned out to be for the Washington Fantasy Team. Since the initial moves to get back in to contention, this has been the most electric team in football. They have won every must win game in their path, and it looks like they have locked up a playoff spot at this point in all likelihood. The next step to dominance would be to win the next two weeks versus the Sharks and Slimes, truly defending this number one placement, and would line up a second seeded finish. There is of course, a chance this team drops 3/4 of these last games and ends up in the play-in... But as of week 11 this is the team with all the momentum. This is the team no one wants to see in the playoffs.

2. Zark's Sharks (-)

The Sharks are circling.... If they didn't have to play the number one team on this list two more times, then they would be my obvious number one. But in week 11, a big test emerges. The Step-Brother bowl is a clash of titans in this meeting, but is a very winnable game for either squad. Even with a loss or two to WFT, the playoff outlook remains the same. It's very clear that this team is headed for a BYE, the seeding doesn't really matter with this much talent in the league. It almost seems like a 4th step brother matchup is inevitable in Week 16, but with Justin Jefferson looking to be back on the field well before then, things could look even better for the Sharks than they do today.

3. Bud Ice Penguins (-)

BIP had a down week, as the coaching challenges continue. Still, they get a close victory and keep their streak alive. Another important note is that they get Patrick Mahomes back for the rest of the season, but I just learned that Patrick Mahomes has worn the same pair of underpants in ALL 89 of his NFL games, only washing that pair after a loss. That's only 18 washes in 7 seasons. The intangibles continue to get worse for Bud Ice, but it's impossible to ignore the roster. They only really have one game left that seems loseable, and they have already clinched the BYE. They have little room to rise on this list without major production on the field.

4. Slat's Slimes (-3)

The Slimes were number one last week, but lose to StepBurrow this week. Back to back loses, both games scoring only around 100 points is not a great sign. It feels like this team is destined to be in the play-in, which is scary when the other play-in team has continued to beef up. Still, given the scoring record before this week, and the scary roster, this team is still a step ahead of the Crooners in my opinion and should be difficult for any team to deal with when the death lineup is out there. They should get a nice bounce back win here to move above .500 yet again, and this will be the first look at the young gun QB lineup of Tua and Herbert. We could see this team jump back up if they prove their scoring lulls are behind them.

Tier 3: Play-In Fight

5. PGH Crooners (-)

Nathan just keeps making moves. He has the roster, the schedule, the coaching acumen. He just needs to take care of business in his winnable games. I think grabbing Kittle raised the ceiling on this team a lot, and the addition of Kyler Murray could prove to be a savvy move. This looks like the first time Justin Fields will return to the lineup in a good while as well, and Achane is slated to make his return and Crooner debut. Exciting times are unfolding here, and a big week could move them up into the big boy tier for me. I expect both the Crooners and Orcas to finish 3-1 on the season, which would give the edge to Nathan and his squad of singin' fellas. I wonder if there's one more move to be made here, but overall I am impressed with the dedication to staying in the main fight.

6. Bridge Road Orcas (-)

The Orcas had a great showing in a must win game, but unfortunately, it came against the top scorer of the week. There's little chance that the Orcas make it in to the play-in now. Either the Orcas will have to win a game they (on paper) shouldn't, such as the Penguins, or the Crooners will have to lose a game (on paper) they shouldn't, such as to PAJ or StepBurrow. I think both teams will go 3-1 over the last 4, which will leave Jack the odd man out here. He has positioned himself nicely to make a run next season, and is at least in the top 4 on the 2024 power rankings, if not higher. Can a miracle happen?

Tier 4: Rebuild Race

1. Parma Pirates (-)

No changes to report. I think this team is going to end up rolling with their top 3 and shake things up at the draft next season. Everything I said last week still looks true.

2. StepBurrow Stoppppp (-)

The trades keep coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming and they don't stop coming... But is Jacob an All Star? Can he get his game on next season? Can he go play?

That's the only thing holding me back on this team being a lock for the best rebuild. He's based his plan entirely on the draft, but is entirely untested in this area in the modern fantasy environment. It certainly helps that you have the most bites at the apple, but I'm not convinced watering down his keeper supply was the best move. In terms of this season performance, he matched the win total Christian led this team to last season, now getting to 3-5 since taking over. That fact right there proves he is competent, so with all this ammo, good things are VERY likely. 

3. Play Action Jackson. (-)

I'm not writing these fools any words for their despicable tanking attempts. There won't be a warning or vote if you try it again lads (nice move on Kittle though, I do hope Dion signs an extension with this franchise).

5. CARTMAN (-)

No changes to report this week. CARTMAN almost did the unthinkable and came within one drive of beating the Bud Ice Penguins. The Adams trade might actually end up working out for this team, but obviously the season is absolutely over for them, and they are in the worst position of any team that you can say that for. I think Jack, who is likely to join this group, is in a much better spot for next season, so for that reason, I have to put them at 5 instead of 4.