Jordan Power Rankings – Week 11

It took a while for the hangover to wear off from all the partying after Monday Night’s improbable 20-point comeback win over the Northern Spies, and my Physical Therapist assures me that the tendonitis I developed from patting myself on the back all night will subside with anti-inflammatories, which I could also use to deflate my swollen ego.

Yep – having a guy go off for 38 in the clutch is a challenge to Christian humility. When I sat down to do some preparatory reading for this week’s matchup with defending champion Midwest, I was amused to read the Talented Mr. Roto’s column about nobs like me crowing about their come-from-behind victory on the arm and legs of Michael the Magnificent. The 38 points from Vick was a record-setting performance for our league under the current scoring system, and shattered the record for a QB by 6 points.

The backstory of last week’s action had more to do with Northboro’s playoff run. This week’s rankings…

1. Northboro Steroids - It seems like the Steroids are in a good position to start thinking about printing playoff tickets. If Northboro wins one of their next four games, they are in. Even if disaster occurs, they will be tough to knock out, because they are now leading the league in scoring and sporting a 7-3 record. This club is four deep at running back, has the two hottest quarterbacks in the league, and will be getting an infusion of new blood at wide receiver when Vincent Jackson shows up in week 12. Getting win number eight this week will be a challenge if Midwest goes crazy like they did last week, but the Steroids are preparing for week 15.
   
   
   
2. Dangerous Minds – With due respect to the Satellites and Gangsters, who are sitting pretty at 7-3 and preparing the menu for the pregame banquet on the 19th of December, this is the scariest team in the league. In their six wins this year, the Minds are averaging 84 points per game. They have elbowed their way into position for the playoffs despite struggling all year with their running game. Calvin Johnson, Aaron Rogers, Hakeem Nicks and Duane Bowe have been terrific. The question is, can they win in weather? A few years ago, Northboro had Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Marques Colston terrifying everyone in the league all season, but they blew a tire when the weather got colder and clubs turned to the running game. This team has a similar look. We’ll see what the commish can piece together heading into the late part of the season.
   
   
   
3. Georgia Satellites - Northboro and Dangerous Minds have scored over 700 points apiece, and have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. The team that’s third in total points is this one right here. John has scored 590 through the first ten weeks, and he heads into his matchup with the Northern Spies very healthy – only Percy Harvin has an injury designation and he’s listed as probable. The Spies had no luck last week, and have really been slaughtered by injuries all season, starting with losing Ryan Grant way back in week 1. John has good timing here.
   
   
   
4. Garvey’s Gangsters – They’re solid, and they will make the playoffs, but Rich has some things to prove after losing to Northboro and Dangerous Minds in consecutive weeks by a combined score of 191 – 100. He’s playing Tony with a man advantage after the Hump-meister came up empty with Ronnie Brown on Thursday. Rich has switched Mannings for this game – and it is amazing to consider that Eli has outscored brother Peyton in our league so far this year.
   
   
5. Rocky Brook – This club has beaten Tony twice and Hugh twice, and lost to everyone else. They come into their matchup with Dangerous Minds fresh from their best performance of the year. LeGarrette Blount has scored 30 points in the last three weeks, and the wide receiver corps of Anquan Boldin, Dez Bryant and Mike Wallace has been terrific – they scored 37 in last week’s win. Tom has been a thorn in Mike’s hind quarters since entering the league a few years ago, and Thursday gave him a 13-0 cushion to take into Sunday.
   
   
6. Midwest Marauders – They are scary when they are rolling. Last week, Midwest just lit up John with 87 points, including 19 from Ben Rothlisberger and 18 from Roddy White, who could be the best receiver in football right now. Midwest will face Northboro with Andre Johnson visiting Reavis Island and Cedrick Benson listed as questionable.
   
   
7. Tony’s Phight-in Camels - Tony got a donut on Thursday from Ronnie Brown, as Miami could not get anything going with Tyler Thigpen behind center. Mike Tolbert against Denver and Adrian Petersen against Green Bay are good matchups, though. Tony needs a big effort from Matt Schaub this week.
   
   
8. Northern Spies – It’s never fun to be the victim of a miracle – you can ask the 2004 Yankees, the 2007 Patriots and the 2010 Northern Spies about that. Rich’s injuries continue to pile up, as Joseph Addai has been declared out this week against New England and Ryan Torrain has yet to get off the stationary bike from which he watched Michael Vick’s act last week. There are better days ahead for this club, but they may not come until next year.