Week 4 Power Rankings

After 4 weeks in the books, we are finally starting to see what every team is made of and what they are capable of doing down the stretch. We lost the last remaining undefeated team and defeated teams this week. This could mean a tight knit race to the finish. Here is where we stand now.

POWER RANKINGS

1. 2009 - (3-1 466 pts) A close call but I had to go with the team who has scored the second most points and is tied for the best record in the league. This team is led by Reggie Wayne and followed by numerous middle of the road players that have managed to score the necessary amount of points to win 3 out of 4 weeks. The question remains if a team full of what many view as, "flex running backs" at best, can lead a team into the playoffs. For now Wayne and company have 2009 at the top spot in the power rankings.

2. Joe Henke V 2.0 - (3-1 438 pts) A close second to 2009, Joe Henke V 2.0 is fresh off a win over what was the last undefeated team in the league. A huge win like that will earn you a top spot in the rankings. JHV2.0 has scored the third most points in the league and is tied for the best record. The team is fairly balanced and is led by superstar receiver Larry Fitzergerald and a strong supporting cast of RB's and WR's. The main question for JHV2.0 is if Greg Jennings will ever be found. Jennings has been missing since week 1 of the regular season and his whereabouts remain a mystery.

3. THVF - (2-2 497 pts) The Travis Henry Vasectomy Fund was cut just short of top 2 spots in the league. They have scored the most points in the league and have a .500 record of 2-2. That record was essentially the only thing keeping them out of the top spots. This team has some playmakers at nearly every position and is poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. The one question for THVF is running back health. Brian Westbrook is known to be injury prone and has already missed some time this season. If Westbrook can't go THVF must go to Michael Bush or Willie Parker, who have issues themselves. Assuming Westbrook can stay on the field, watch for THVF to climb higher in the rankings in the coming weeks.

4. The Prodigal Son - (3-1 420 pts) The last team to suffer a defeat, the Prodigal Son is tied for the best record in the league. Their point production suggests their record should be worse, as they have the sixth most points in the league. The Prodigal Son has been lead by surprise RB's in Cedric Benson and Fred Jackson. The question is if those backs can keep up the early pace they are on. With two solid starting receivers, a decent quarterback, and reggie bush hiding on the bench, it is possible that the Prodigal Son continues on with a successful season. Unfortunately for them, it is also possible they've peaked for the season at fourth in the power rankings.

5. Asian Persuasion - (2-2 406 pts) In terms of points they are the worst 2-2 team in the league. I however, have them at the second best 2-2 team. I don't think this team is operating at full speed yet. Turner and Forte could still turn into elite backs this season and if that happens Asian Persuasion will be a force in the league. This team has struggled with injuries early in the season but some of those players are finally starting to get back into the swing of things. A solid TE, potentially superstar RB's, and a group of receivers that should only get better, I like this team. The main question will be if his RB's can get it going and how Braylon Edwards fits into his new offense.

6. La Bamba - (2-2 435 pts) A crazy owner operating a crazy team, it can't get much better. With AP, this team can compete with anyone week to week. The rest of the team is where we run into problems. A solid TE, 2 solid quarterbacks, and an average group of receivers, the team could be good..... could be. Not paying attention to bye weeks on draft day has led to Jake Delhomme starting at QB this week. This doesn't bode well for La Bamba seeing as Delhomme has more turnovers than completions this year. I think a few trades should be in order for La Bamba to reach their full potential. Without a trade, this is a team full of average players who will lead La Bamba to an average season and a first round playoff exit.

7. Stepchildren - (1-3 372 pts) Statistically they are the second worst team in our league, however one look at their new lineup will make you think otherwise. Brady, Moss, Jones-Drew, K-Smith, V-Jack, doesn't sound like a 1-3 team right? That's because this team was first sent out this week after a blockbuster trade. The new team earned Stepchildren their first win of the season and should continue to earn wins as the weeks go on. The main question for this team is ownership. With the only split owners in the league, Stepchildren have proven week in and week out that they are dead last in coachability. They constantly leave hundreds of points on their bench and it cost them the first three weeks of the season. Even in their win last week they left Rashard Mendenhall's 32 point performance watching from the bench. If their new team can be coached at even an average level, this team should be on the rise for weeks to come.

8. Serenity Now - (2-2 426 pts) Serenity Now should consider changing their team name to Receivers R' Us. They have five solid receivers and can only play 3 on any given week. With a solid QB and TE it begs the question why doesn't Serenity Now trade a receiver or two for a solid starting running back, which is something the team currently lacks. There are average backs that split carries, ala ray rice and pierre thomas, but why not make a move to get a proven guy. Thomas could turn into that guy if he stays healthy, but that still leaves a spot open. At 2-2 there is time to wait for the right trade, but I'd start looking sooner than later. Until that happens I think Serenity Now is confined to the middle of the power rankings pack.

9. Doink the Clown - (2-2 407 pts) Doink the Clown has a veteran presence on the team, in fact they might have all the veteran presence in the league. They are led by the likes of Torry Holt, Terrell Owens, Willis McGahee, Brett Favre, and Muhsin Muhammed to name a few. They jumped out to a hot start at 2-0 but have since lost two straight and need to stop the bleeding. With one of the best QB's in the league, and capable RB's, Doink could be a good team. The question remains if his receivers, namely Boldin and Owens, can start to play at a high level. If that doesn't happen this veteran team may be watching the playoffs from home.

10. The Jihad Squad - (2-2 419 pts) Jihad Squad brings up the bottom of the 2-2 teams. They are another team that should be looking to trade. They have running backs that could be good, but not much to go with them in the WR area. There are also a lot of questions concerning the RB's they do have. Can Barber stay healthy? What is happening in Carolina? Even if the backs do pan out, rookie receiver Percy Harvin has been the best WR for the Squad. In this league, in order to succeed you need to have good WR's. It is a problem that HAS to be addressed if the Squad wants to move anywhere other than down in the power rankings.

11. Frank Costanza - (1-3 376 pts) This was my favorite team before the season started, now they are perhaps my most dreaded. This team has be plagued by injuries to it superstars, namely LT, Gore, and Anthony Gonzalez. This has caused Frank Costanza to have to start players that some people would touch in a 20 team league. He has paid the price for starting them and is currently sitting at 1-3. If this team can get healthy soon, it could make its way back into the playoff picture and be a potential force down the road. However if the injuries don't go away this team may need to think trade. Some teams may take a chance on an injured player now and hope they can help them out down the road. Frank Costanza, if you don't get healthy or make a move, the only thing funny about you at the end of this year will be your record.

12. Get In the Van - (1-3 357 pts) The first week winner for worst team in the league goes to Get In the Van. They have underachieving running backs and a week bench, something that has cost them dearly. Chad Ochocinco has been a nice surprise but that is the only thing on this team that has been nice this season. Here's a stat for Get In the Van, no one on their team has scored 60 points this season. Ouch. I'm not sure what to do with this team. There isn't much trade value for anyone now, so maybe he'll have to ride the storm out and hope the weather clears up soon. If it doesn't, this ship may sink before it even had a chance to leave port.

That concludes the Week 4 Power Rankings. See you next week.