Deep in the Forest

Time to focus on The Woods Division. These four teams currently have thirteen wins between them -- three more than any other division -- and are home to many past champions, seven if my sources are correct. They are part of the super strong Eastern Conference and each team received high marks during our keeper core analysis. Let's see how that's panned out for them so far.

Italian Stallionz (5-0)
The remaining undefeated team left, Porta's Stallionz are running roughshod over the league this year. They've done this despite going over the century mark just once -- WK5's 128-66 win. Some would argue that it's been their league leading easy schedule that has allowed them to rise to the top, but we'd say it's the sure hand of their coach and GM.

Even though they have been more than active on the free agent market, Porta has utilized only seven players this season. Tom Brady hasn't been stellar but is still a top five QB averaging just a shade under twenty points per game. He's had Tony Gonzalez, Reggie Wayne, Percy Harvin, and Demaryius Thomas to toss the rock to. Gonzalez and Wayne are the top ranked players at their position -- although Wayne has been on the bench of late -- and Harvin and Thomas are top twelve WR options. Heck, Brian Hartline is the number ten ranked wide and he hasn't even made an in-game apperance for the Stallionz yet.

The real triumph of this team is in the backfield, where Jamaal Charles and Stevan Ridley have combined for 31 points per game and are currently both top five running backs. Porta may have had an easy schedule but he's also the second highest scoring team in the league -- after Mandalorian Warriors -- and hasn't dipped below eighty eight points except for once in WK2. We got a leading contender here, viva mozzarella!

100 Acre Wood Pooh Bears (3-2)
After shooting out to a great start, J's team has dumped two straight games. Of course, those two matchups have been against the best two teams in the league, and they got blasted with an average of 143 points during those games. After that onslaught, it makes sense that the Pooh Bears are reeling a little bit.

Franchise quarterback Cam Newton will use his bye week to recover from an erratic start to his season. Can the sophomore find consistency? The good news is that Ray Rice has been just as good as advertised, as he's performed as a top three back. The problem is that neither Ryan Mathews nor Doug Martin have really stepped up alongside Rice. Martin could be fading into a time share and Mathews is still getting into the swing of things.

A bigger issue is the lack of receivers on this team. Antonio Brown leads the way here but he's only had one game in double digits. Dez Bryant, Kendall Wright, and Jerome Simpson haven't been good either, although Bryant could be coming on. In addition, TE Jimmy Graham has been a little hit and miss, and he needs to fulfill his dynamic potential. As for the kicking game? Mason Crosby might need to go, as he averages six points a game, which is less than half the amount of the kicking leaders. Overall, the Pooh Bears may need a good kick in the ass to get their team trending upward again. Or just avoid being on the wrong side of Maize and Blue history, that would be a nice start.

Human Amoebas (3-2)
Nipping right at the Pooh Bears' heels is Human Amoebas, who have been undefeated since bringing on their co-owner. Matthew Stafford couldn't hold off Andrew Luck any longer and the sterling rookie produced his best game of the season in his first start for the Amoebas. Is Stafford now on the trading block?

While the Amoebas have put up over 80+ points per game during their two game win streak, their opponents have put up only 65 each time. Are Eric and Hong winning by smoke and mirrors? Their roster is certainly lacking in star power. The three headed "monster" of Ahmad Bradshaw, Michael Bush, and DeAngelo Williams haven't struck fear into too many defensive coordinators hearts but they've been serviceable. Bradshaw has even been a top fifteen RB so far.

The same story goes for the receiving corps. DeSean Jackson is his usual boom or bust self, and Pierre Garcon has faded badly after a nice start to his season. Third receiver, and keeper selection, Jon Baldwin has been a virtual non-factor. Heck, Fred Davis has barely been an employable tight end, yet this team just wins baby! It must be due to their stellar Texans defense, which is ranked number two. The Amoebas truly are stronger than the sum of its parts, and with some luck and more Luck, they'll continue to challenge for a post-season spot.

Squirtle Squad (2-3)
The mighty Squirtles have won the championship many times, so it's never safe to discount them. However, these are dark times. Aside from the bottom feeding P Funk All Stars, Brian's team is the lowest scoring team in the league. The problem starts up top with Michael Vick, who has been mostly frustrating. RB Adrian Peterson isn't a top back currently but he's been as good as could be expected after a quick return from ACL surgery. He should only trend upwards as the knee strengthens. We have been enjoying Miles Austin's consistency so far, as he's the only receiver to have achieved double digits in all of his appearances this season.

The Squirtles suffer from some depth problems though. Brandon Lloyd has been just south of okay, while Jermichael Finley, Randall Cobb, Denarius Moore, and someone named T.Y. Hilton are taking turns trying to catch the ball. Cobb could be nice with Greg Jennings out, and Moore is flashing encouraging signs. If they both step up, this team could be on the way up. All in all, the Squirtles are only one game out of second place so they are hardly out of the post-season competition.

Always active on the waiver wire, some other owners have revealed that they use GM Brian's free agent moves to grab players for their other leagues. That's respect.