It is getting lonely at the top: Manitoba, Mar-A-Lago, and South Park are the last remaining undefeated. The Cows benefit from a reversal to get there, and the Treason are still subject to one after eking out a 2.38 margin of victory over Pawnee, who haver thrown the red challenge flag. The Moose Crew, (who will watch their baseball companions take the field for a championship round game five tonight) have been the league's best team through three weeks, scoring big points and never having a contest in question. The forthcoming power rankings will measure out who has a shot at taking them down.
Through three weeks we have seven winning teams and seven losing teams- there's plenty of time to reverse course, flip lots, and change fortunes, but with a 200 point gap between the top team and the last place (defending champion) Sanitation Crew, some narratives are already starting to crystallized.
The Crew have some good company at the bottom, where the three most recent Silver Chalice winners sit without a win between them. Week four will see either Jersey or Pawnee shake off their doldrums, as they face off against one another- the loser, at 0-4, will have to deal with whispers in the fanbase about being washed up. Meanwhile, Hill Valley gets their arch rival Phoenix, reeling after a lackluster showing against Deputy in week three; the McFlys have never started a season 0-4.
There is a second game under review: Carmel and Binghamton both came into week three at 1-1, and the Snipers walked off the field victors, 210.23-208.39. That is close enough to be flipped on a single IDP attribution, so it is something to watch in the coming days; scores are not final until Thursday morning.
Elsewhere in the league South Philly is surging and looking legitimate, while HCM City look to shrug off a disappointing loss and get back to the winning ways they have established over the past few seasons. Deputy and Ohio got out of the dog house with their first wins of the season after a pair of miscues, while the Savannah Petes will have to prove that their week one showcase was not a mirage.
The trade market has been quiet early in the season, a couple of minor deals going through. With the Trade Deadline set for November 20th, that gives us fifty-four days to see some blockbusters come together.
Week 3 Matchups
QB: JUSTIN HERBERT (HVM) 32.94
With Josh Allen's efforts wasted on the Savannah bench, Herbert edges out Manitoba's Matt Stafford for the week three nod, tossing four touchdowns and just looking incredibly adept building upon his rookie year. He jammed his throwing hand mid-game but did not miss a play and looks all systems go as a QB1.
RB: NAJEE HARRIS (MMC) 26.9
Through three games Harris has not broken out running the ball, but his 14 carries for 14 yards are a footnote, as 14 catches (on 19 targets) and 102 receiving yards is a full day's work on its own. For good measure he also logged a tackle, proving a triple threat!
WR: MIKE WILLIAMS (MAL) 34.50
Big Mike has shown the capacity to take over games before, and here, again. Seven catches for 122 yards, a pair of TDs and a two point conversion are a phenomenal day, and through three weeks of year five, it looks like Williams might be putting it all together as a WR1.
TE: MARK ANDREWS (SPC) 17.60
After a slow start to his season, Mr Andrews broke out with a five catch, 109 yard performance for the Cows. With Dalton Schultz (CRT) and Ty Conklin (HCM) on their respective benches, that effort gets top billing this time around.
DL: MYLES GARRETT (SAV) 35.00
With seven tackles, 4 for a loss, and 4.5 times tossing the quarterback like a ragdoll, Myles Garrett is the player of the week in a losing cause, bouncing back from a quiet week two.
LB: KENNY YOUNG (SPC) 28.00
Ten tackles (three for a loss) a sack and forced fumble are good enough for a disruptor that has been filling the stat sheet early in 2021 and fortifying a Cows defense that has helped the team overachieve on its way to a 3-0 start.
CB: BYRON MURPHY (DVH) 31.80
A couple of picks, a couple of pass defenses, four tackles, and a punt return touchdown-Murphy was a major factor in the Van Halens trouncing of the Uprising. Further testament to stick with your quality IDPs following a disappointing week.
SS: MICAH HYDE (CRT) 22.05
With Old Man Jenkins on the waiver wire, Hyde is the pick; making one of those, breaking up another pair of passes, and making five stops, one for a loss. Hyde is another dual threat defensive players/special teams ace and has been proving his worth in the Larkspur Bowl for years; he's served up three double digit performances through three weeks.
K: MASON CROSBY (PAW) 17.50
His game ending kick did not have the pizzazz and artistry of Justin Tucker's 66 yarder, but three field goals and three PATs is a nice bit of scoring- plus he made a solo tackle, always a highlight for a kicker.
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