Can’t believe it folks, but we are officially halfway through the regular season. At this point, it’s pretty clear who is alive and who is dead – but there are a few question mark teams trying to make a push for glory. The middle pack has never been stronger, I’m expecting to see a few Cinderella runs in the next handful of weeks, and a few sick dogs get dragged behind the shed. Rankings below:
1. Smack ’em and Sack ’em – Lance Taylor
Record: 6-1 / W8 Matchup: Favored by 33 over Preston Karr
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
Just looking at that roster, my gut says 4-3 through seven weeks.
It feels like a team that would be good, but annoyingly inconsistent.
Why I’d guess 4-3
- QB: Drake Maye gives you a legit weekly ceiling.
- RB: Ashton Jeanty + Breece Hall is a strong starting duo, with Alvin Kamara/Rachaad White as depth.
- WR/FLEX: Zay Flowers + Christian Watson + Jaxon Smith-Njigba has upside, but I could see some volatile weeks here.
- TE: T.J. Hockenson is solid, plus Tyler Warren gives you good depth.
- Bench: Deebo Samuel is a pretty ridiculous bench option when available.
- Biggest issue: This roster looks like the type that could score 135 one week and 92 the next depending on touchdowns and WR production.
My guesses
Most likely: 4-3
Second guess: 5-2
Third guess: 3-4
If you told me this team was 2-5, I’d say it probably got absolutely screwed by points-against 😂. If you told me 6-1, I’d think Maye/Jeanty/JSN had been carrying hard.
Final answer: 4-3.
2. Dak Lives Matter – Giovanni Franzese
Record: 5-2 / W8 Matchup: Favored by 20 over Quin Davis
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
My gut says 5-2 through seven weeks.
Why
- QB: Dak Prescott is a solid weekly starter.
- RB: Bijan Robinson + D’Andre Swift is strong, and Saquon Barkley sitting on the bench gives this roster a ton of RB firepower.
- WR: A.J. Brown + Tetairoa McMillan + Parker Washington isn’t dominant on paper, but there’s serious depth with Brian Thomas Jr., Tank Dell, and Keenan Allen.
- TE: Brock Bowers is a major advantage at TE.
- Depth: Saquon, Brian Thomas Jr., Keenan Allen, and Tank Dell on the bench is pretty loaded.
- Biggest weakness: Starting WR/FLEX feels a little shaky relative to how stacked the RB room is.
My guesses
Most likely: 5-2
Second guess: 4-3
Third guess: 6-1
This looks like a roster I’d expect to be top 3-4 in the league through seven weeks unless the manager has gotten brutal matchup luck.
Final answer: 5-2.
3. Shough My Caulk – Quin Davis
Record: 6-1 / W8 Matchup: Underdog by 20 against Giovanni Franzese
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one feels like a 5-2 team through seven weeks.
Why
- QB: Jordan Love gives you a solid baseline with big-week potential.
- RB: Kenneth Walker III + Jeremiyah Love is a good combo, with TreVeyon Henderson, Jordan Mason, and Tyler Allgeier giving you depth.
- WR is the strength: Amon-Ra St. Brown + Tee Higgins + DeVonta Smith is an excellent trio. Rome Odunze on the bench makes it even deeper.
- TE: Chig Okonkwo is probably the weakest starting spot. Isaiah Likely gives you another option, but neither screams weekly advantage.
- Overall: This looks like a roster that should put up points pretty consistently because the WR/FLEX spots are so strong.
My guesses
Most likely: 5-2
Second guess: 6-1
Third guess: 4-3
Final answer: 5-2.
4. Dave’s Washington Commandeses – Dave Carney
Record: 4-3 / W8 Matchup: Underdog by 9 against Dillon Reisinger
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one screams 3-4 through seven weeks to me.
Why
- QB: Joe Burrow gives you upside, but this roster feels pretty top-heavy.
- RB: Derrick Henry is the headliner, but Emanuel Wilson at RB2 is a noticeable weakness. Cam Skattebo and Tank Bigsby don’t give you much security behind that.
- WR: CeeDee Lamb is elite, and Jameson Williams has huge-week potential, but the WR depth drops off quickly.
- TE/FLEX: Tucker Kraft is solid, but starting Brenton Strange in the FLEX tells me this team has probably dealt with depth/injury problems.
- Kicker: Brandon Aubrey is about as good as it gets.
- Overall: Burrow + Henry + CeeDee can absolutely win weeks, but there are enough holes that I think this team has dropped some close ones.
My guesses
Most likely: 3-4
Second guess: 4-3
Third guess: 2-5
Of the four you’ve sent, I’d rank this as the weakest roster through Week 7.
Final answer: 3-4.
5. Life Begins at Concepcion – Reed Pike
Record: 4-3 / W8 Matchup: Favored by 12 against Evan Tooley
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one looks like a 5-2 team through seven weeks to me.
Why
- QB: Josh Allen gives this roster a massive weekly advantage.
- RB: Jahmyr Gibbs is the centerpiece. RB2 is considerably shakier with RJ Harvey, and the bench doesn’t have an obvious stud replacement.
- WR: George Pickens + Matthew Golden with DJ Moore at FLEX gives this team a pretty nice combination of ceiling and depth.
- TE: Dallas Goedert with Dalton Kincaid on the bench is plenty solid.
- Biggest concern: Definitely RB depth. If Gibbs has an off week or you’re dealing with injuries/byes, this roster gets thin quickly.
- Overall: Allen + Gibbs is the type of foundation that can carry a roster even when some of the other starters aren’t popping.
My guesses
Most likely: 5-2
Second guess: 4-3
Third guess: 6-1
I wouldn’t call this the deepest roster you’ve sent, but I think Allen and Gibbs have probably stolen a couple weeks almost by themselves.
Final answer: 5-2.
6. #qdaddywho – Evan Tooley
Record: 3-4 / W8 Matchup: Underdog by 12 against Reed Pike
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one feels like a 4-3 team through seven weeks.
Why
- QB: Matthew Stafford is solid, but probably hasn’t been giving a huge positional advantage every week.
- RB: Chuba Hubbard + Bucky Irving is respectable, plus Aaron Jones and Braelon Allen give the roster some depth.
- WR: Emeka Egbuka looks like the centerpiece. Carnell Tate + Jakobi Meyers is where I think the starting lineup gets a little shaky.
- TE: Kyle Pitts starting with Travis Kelce on the bench is interesting. There’s decent depth at the position.
- Overall: I don’t see this roster consistently dominating opponents, but it’s deep enough that I have a hard time seeing it being terrible either. This screams middle-of-the-pack with a couple big weeks.
My guesses
Most likely: 4-3
Second guess: 3-4
Third guess: 5-2
I’d probably put this team slightly below the middle of the pack compared with the other rosters you’ve sent.
Final answer: 4-3.
7. Four Guys Burgers and Fries – Jared Reiss
Record: 4-3 / W8 Matchup: Underdog by 3 against Drake Olson
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one feels like a 4-3 team through seven weeks.
Why
- QB: Jayden Daniels gives this team a high ceiling.
- RB: James Cook III + Chase Brown is a really strong starting combination. Zach Charbonnet gives you some useful depth.
- WR: This is where I’m less convinced. Luther Burden III + Omar Cooper Jr. is pretty shaky compared with some of the other teams you’ve sent.
- FLEX: Ladd McConkey helps considerably and Chris Olave sitting on the bench gives the WR room more upside than the starting lineup initially suggests.
- TE: Harold Fannin Jr. starting with George Kittle on the bench gives you plenty of TE talent.
- Overall: Good QB/RB foundation, but I think the inconsistent WR production probably costs this team a couple weeks.
My guesses
Most likely: 4-3
Second guess: 5-2
Third guess: 3-4
This is one where I could absolutely see 5-2 if the manager has been starting the right guys at the right time, but just looking at the Week 7 roster, 4-3 feels right.
Final answer: 4-3.
8. Hakuna Nacua – Dillon Reisinger
Record: 2-5 / W8 Matchup: Favored by 9 against Dave Carney
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one looks like a 5-2 team through seven weeks to me.
Why
- QB: Trevor Lawrence is decent, and Baker Mayfield on the bench gives the roster QB flexibility.
- RB: Kyren Williams is a stud. Bhayshul Tuten/Rico Dowdle aren’t the prettiest RB2/FLEX options, but the position isn’t disastrous.
- WR: Puka Nacua + DK Metcalf is a strong starting duo, and Nico Collins on the bench makes the WR room legitimately loaded.
- TE: Colston Loveland is probably the biggest question mark in the starting lineup.
- Depth: Nico Collins, Kyle Monangai, Denzel Boston and Tutu Atwell give this roster some useful options.
- Overall: The top-end talent with Kyren + Puka + DK + Nico makes me think this team has been scoring pretty consistently despite a few weaker starting spots.
My guesses
Most likely: 5-2
Second guess: 4-3
Third guess: 6-1
I’d put this one toward the upper end of the teams you’ve sent so far. The starting lineup isn’t flawless, but there’s enough firepower that I’d expect a winning record.
Final answer: 5-2.
9. Rice to Remain Silent – Jake Odenweller
Record: 2-5 / W8 Matchup: Underdog by 4 against Andrew Arney
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one feels like a 3-4 team through seven weeks.
Why
- QB: Jared Goff starting with Patrick Mahomes on the bench gives plenty of QB talent, although the weekly start/sit decision could burn the manager.
- RB: This is the glaring issue. Jaylen Warren + Blake Corum is a pretty weak starting combination, especially with Christian McCaffrey sitting on the bench with a Q tag.
- WR: Rashee Rice + Michael Wilson + Ryan Flournoy isn’t a group I’d trust to consistently carry the lineup.
- TE: Trey McBride is easily one of the strongest pieces on the roster and gives a big advantage at TE.
- Overall: There are elite names here with McCaffrey, Mahomes, and McBride, but the actual lineup shown looks like it has probably dealt with injuries/availability issues. That screams inconsistent results.
My guesses
Most likely: 3-4
Second guess: 4-3
Third guess: 2-5
If CMC and Mahomes haven’t been producing/available like you’d expect, I could definitely see this team sitting below .500 despite looking scary based on name value.
Final answer: 3-4.
10. Bust Down AP – Andrew Arney
Record: 2-5 / W8 Matchup: Favored by 4 against Jake Odenweller
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one looks like a 6-1 team through seven weeks. Probably one of the best rosters you’ve sent.
Why
- QB: Kyler Murray gives you plenty of upside.
- RB: Jonathan Taylor + Josh Jacobs + Tony Pollard is a loaded RB group.
- WR: Drake London + Stefon Diggs is strong, and having Malik Nabers and Jaylen Waddle on the bench is ridiculous WR depth.
- TE: Mark Andrews with Jake Ferguson behind him is solid.
- Depth: This is the biggest difference. Nabers, Waddle, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ferguson and Sam Darnold means there aren’t many weak spots if someone misses time.
- Overall: Unlike some of the other teams, I don’t see an obvious position that’s dragging this roster down. It looks built to consistently put up competitive scores.
My guesses
Most likely: 6-1
Second guess: 5-2
Third guess: 4-3
If we’re judging strictly by the rosters you’ve shown me so far, this is probably top 2 for me.
Final answer: 6-1.
11. Griddy Griddy Bang Bang – Preston Karr
Record: 3-4 / W8 Matchup: Underdog by 33 to Lance Taylor
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one looks like a 5-2 team through seven weeks. I think it’s one of the more balanced rosters you’ve sent.
Why
- QB: Caleb Williams is a solid option, with Bo Nix as insurance.
- RB: Quinshon Judkins + Ollie Gordon II + Omarion Hampton gives this team a lot of young upside. J.K. Dobbins adds another usable option.
- WR: Justin Jefferson + Garrett Wilson is the backbone of this team. That’s a nasty WR duo, and Marvin Harrison Jr., Xavier Worthy, Josh Downs, and Courtland Sutton make WR easily the deepest position.
- TE: Sam LaPorta with Hunter Henry behind him is solid.
- Biggest concern: RB feels less proven than WR, so I could see a couple weeks where Jefferson/Wilson don’t explode and the team struggles.
- Overall: There’s enough high-end talent and WR depth here that I’d expect this team to be consistently competitive.
My guesses
Most likely: 5-2
Second guess: 6-1
Third guess: 4-3
Compared to the other teams you’ve sent, I’d put this one in the upper tier, but maybe a notch below that Jonathan Taylor/Josh Jacobs/Drake London roster.
Final answer: 5-2.
12. Charlie’s Jacksoffs – Drake Olson
Record: 1-6 / W8 Matchup: Favored by 3 against Jared Reiss
Mr. Robot Machine, what do you think the record of this team is through 7 weeks?
This one feels like a 3-4 team through seven weeks.
Why
- QB: Lamar Jackson gives this roster a massive ceiling when available.
- RB: Javonte Williams + Jonah Coleman is decent, but not nearly as strong as some of the RB rooms you’ve shown. David Montgomery being on the bench helps the overall depth.
- WR: This is the problem. Ja’Marr Chase is obviously the stud, but Jalen Coker + Germie Bernard as the two starting WRs is pretty thin.
- TE: Colby Parkinson isn’t giving this roster a major positional advantage.
- Injuries: Mike Evans is questionable and Davante Adams is on IR in the screenshot. That’s a lot of receiving firepower unavailable, which would explain the weak-looking starting WR group.
- Overall: Lamar + Chase can absolutely single-handedly win weeks, but I see too many holes around them to guess a winning record.
My guesses
Most likely: 3-4
Second guess: 2-5
Third guess: 4-3
This honestly looks like a team that might have been drafted to be really good, but injuries/availability have beaten the shit out of the WR room.
Final answer: 3-4.
Cheers,
Commish