The Dudes Abide

Here we go, a look at the Lebowski Achievers division, which features two of the top three teams in the league right now, according to win-loss record and Points For. Since our review of The Wood two weeks ago, the Lebowski Achievers have overtaken the most combined wins for division, sixteen to fifteen. Could they now be the strongest division in the land? Let's find out.

Mandalorian Warriors (6-1)
After seven weeks, we have our front runner. Matt's team is number one in points scored, a dreamy number two in points against -- just two points away from the easiest PA -- and on a four game winning streak that could threaten to extend all the way to the Super Bowl. They've gone over 100+ in three of their last four games, set the record for highest individual game, and worked their way to a roster that is the envy of all. Yes, I've run out of superlatives.

If you want to nitpick, it would be nice if LeSean McCoy broke fifteen points this season,  or if Steven Jackson could push past double digits more than once. Still, with Drew Brees airing it out to semi-recently acquired Roddy White, Jordy Nelson, Brandon Marshall, and Rob Gronkowski, is a ground game even needed? The only thing slowing down the Warriors now is time, as in "When is it time to start the playoffs?"

Dunder Mifflin Paper Company (5-2)
Even though the Warriors are top of the charts, they are followed closely behind by Mike's Paper Company. With a winning streak of three under their belts, the gang from Scranton is only one game out of the top spot. Of course, they've only cracked the century mark once so far this season and their three wins have come against opponents who scored only 59/avg against them.

Still, if you've got Arian Foster you've got enough apparently. Foster has been the best RB by far this season, never dipping below fourteen points and averaging a lovely 18.1 per game. And now Chris Johnson might be back from exile after two good showings, Paper Company might really start to get on a roll. The passing game has a top twenty WR in Dwayne Bowe and free agent Andre Roberts could be the third receiver this team needs. Vernon Davis and Malcolm Floyd have been serviceable but more was probably expected out of both. Fans would love to see an upgrade at quarterback, as Tony Romo is erratic at best.

Overall, Dunder Mifflin Paper Company is clearly going to be fighting hard for playoff contention and if Chris Johnson has truly re-emerged, this is a team on the rise and probably a real threat to the division title. This is still our sleeper pick for best team in the league...

Wayne State Tartars (3-4)
If there was an A for effort, we'd like to give the award out to Jay. He's been working the waiver wire, moving Roddy White for pieces, and overall plugged in fourteen non-DEF/ST players into his lineups. Despite a few lackluster poundings -- scoring only 49, 33, 41 points -- the Tartars are nearly 0.500. Not bad right?

When Carson Palmer and Matt Schaub didn't prove to be the answer, Roddy White was moved out for Ben Roethlisberger (and Santonio Holmes). That will help the bleeding at QB. We like it when owners take swift action. Receivers Torrey Smith and Steve Johnson "lead" this team but they are barely ranked in the top thirty at their positions. And now franchise RB Maurice Jones-Drew is out, possibly for a few weeks, leaving the running attack in the capable hands of Jackie Battle and um, Lamar Miller?

We want to say there are optimistic things ahead for Jay-Z's team, but we see a swift fall to the bottom of the division unless Big Ben can resurrect an entire team. Can you start to rebuild when you're still in mathematical contention?

Detroit Players (2-5)
We don't understand how a team with Robert Griffin III and A.J. Green can be doing so bad. I mean, rookie Griffin is the third best player in all of fantasy! Oh wait, Ariel's team has faced the toughest schedule in the league. The Players' seven opponents have averaged 97.6 points per game against them (plus nobody has put up less than 86 points yet). Ouch. Hard to win games like that right?

The good news is that RG3 is on board! Plus Green is the top ranked receiver with 14.7 points per game, and Hakeem Nicks is rounding into shape while Mike Williams is a fine third receiver. Sadly, Steve Smith is R.I.P., as he's yet to score a TD this season. Kyle Rudolph is a no name but he's been the sixth ranked TE so far this season -- now that he's finally replaced Dennis Pitta.

The major question facing Ariel is who will be manning the running back position. DeMarco Murray is hardly healthy enough to carry the load and desperation plug-ins Vick Ballard and Ryan Williams haven't fared much better. Oh and it's definitely time to give up on the Packers defense, as they're ranked just barely in the top twenty and there are a few free agent defenses better than them right now. It's time to let Charles Woodson go...

Overall, the Players aren't killing themselves, as the hard schedule is what's destroying them, but neither are they able to get enough points on the board to challenge for consistent wins. If Ariel can fill a huge hole at running back, this team could have a chance.