After a quarter of the season is completed and the first set of divisional games have concluded, we like to look at our first annual State of the Divisions. The goal here is to prognosticate which teams have the best rosters and best outlooks on winning their divisions based on current and future roster health. In addition we will be breaking up the divisions into a few categories separating the early favorites from the teams that have underperformed. Within each category we will look at who has the strongest starting roster (self explanatory), most well rounded team (including bench depth), best future outlook (gaining players back from injury, rookie development, etc.) and who my early pick to win the division is as well as best chance to jump up a tier. I did not get a chance to write extensively about every team, but as certain variables shift over the next four weeks we will get a chance to explore some different teams in the next State of the Divisions update.
FFC South
The Early Favorites: Da Moon’s Huge Craters and Uur UPS
I Need to See A Little More: Doctor Jenious and Bruce Almightys
Right now it looks like the South is a two team race between Da Moon’s Huge Craters and Uur UPS. While UPS is a game behind, they won the critical Week 4 matchup ensuring a 1-1 head to head season series split which could be crucial to forcing additional tiebreakers later down the road. While the Craters lead the division with 353 points scored, UPS trails behind only by four points and then there is a massive near fifty point dropoff to third place.
Strongest Starting Roster: This has to be a tie. For Da Moon, It’s hard to argue that this starting lineup hasn’t been the best in the South the first month. The only disappointing starter has been Calvin Ridley but it’s been offset with the emergence of Tre Tucker who has put up a WR13 and WR1 performance within the first four weeks. Baker has gone through three coordinators in three seasons and maintained elite QB production the entire time. I really like Uur UPS right on the heel of this team with two stud running backs, an elite quarterback in Jalen Hurts and solid WR2/3 options in Devonta Smith and Keenan Allen. The Hurts/Smith stack has been limited by Philadelphia’s limited pass offense, but you can’t expect them to be on historically low passing volume the entire season. Both teams have very similar roster construction and I can see them both in the playoffs.
Most Well-Rounded Team: Uur UPS. I like some key bench pieces in Marvin Mims, RJ Harvey and Tyler Warren are awesome bench pieces who will be startable on heavy bye weeks and provide a little bit of an advantage for UPS. The doctor has also put together a very well rounded starting lineup with great bench pieces like Elic Ayomanor, Travis Etienne (can’t be riding the bench for much longer) and Trey Benson who has assumed the new RB1 role in Arizona, but the Doctor lacks a critical piece at quarterback.
Best Future Outlook: Once again this is a tie. Both teams have a rookie contributor who is slotted to be in a starting role late season. For RJ Harvey, it’s a matter of time when the opportunity comes but he looks the part of a good fantasy running back. For the Craters, Tre Tucker has flashed early and been a great redzone target for a pass happy Raiders offense.
My early pick: Uur UPS to win the division, Da Moon as a wildcard.
Most likely to jump a tier: If the Doctor can figure out a QB situation, that roster is prime for a playoff spot.
FFC West
This appears to be another two horse race in a division with two 3-1 teams and two 1-3 teams. The Wolfpack and Garbage Dumps split the head to head season series 1-1 and both look like the class of the division. After a massive 130 point week, the Wolfpack are now league leaders in points scored (383.94) through four weeks and it looks like their pieces have come together. While the PGD and Spartans trail back by about 40 and 50 points, respectively, the Garbage Dumps appear to be the true second place as the Spartans were devastated by a season ending injury to second round pick stud Malik Nabers who was on his way to a special year.
The Early Favorites: Sacramento Wolfpack, Philippines Garbage Dumps
I Need to See a Little More: Elk Grove Spartans, Game of Zones
Strongest Starting Roster: Philippines Garbage Dumps. When I think of the strongest starting roster, it can also be synonymous with a team that is so top heavy, it’s scary at full health. The PGD provides that with the RB2 in Jonathan Taylor, RB9 in Devon Achane, and WR2 in Amon-Ra St. Brown. It doesn’t get much better than that across the league and assuming full health, it’s going to be hard to find a team that can beat this squad in December.
Most Well-Rounded Team: Sacramento Wolfpack. I love how the Wolfpack’s team has shaped up in the first four weeks and their bench has gotten much stronger with some key departures and additions. Players like Jaylen Warren, Wan’Dale Robinson and Khalil Shakir are all players who can start on a number of teams and Tyquan Thornton provides a nice emergency WR4. I also love Bhayshul Tuten who will get a chance to shine with the departure of Tank Bigsby from the Jaguars. He could be the Bucky Irving of 2025.
Best Future Outlook: Sacramento Wolfpack. This roster is filled with young guys who are primed to break out and have already started. Drake Maye’s improvement from his rookie season as a fantasy quarterback has been impressive as he is the QB4 on the season. Rookies like Ashton Jeanty and Matthew Golden are first round pedigree talents in starting positions who will continue to improve as the season progresses. Xavier Worthy missed basically the first three weeks and came back in Week 4 looking like a WR1 which is a massive boost to this team.
My early pick: Sacramento Wolfpack. While I believe PGD has the slightly better team right now, fantasy football is a war of attrition and navigating injuries and employing strong bench depth will be the key in a grueling sixteen week schedule, so I give the edge to the Wolfpack. The loser between Wolfpack and PGD is a slam dunk for the 5 seed.
Most likely to jump a tier: Game of Zones. Honestly, I can’t visualize either of the bottom two teams overtaking the top two teams at this point. If either team has a shot at making the wildcard, it’s probably the Game of Zones who have a little bit of a stronger starting roster and landed George Pickens in a controversial Sunday night trade who can provide immediate WR1 upside.
FFC North
This is arguably the only division with three strong contenders. Cloud 9 and Pool of the Dead both sit at 3-1 while Jedi Knights are at 2-2. The pivotal matchup in Week 4 saw the Jedi Knights defeat Cloud 9 in a game where Lamar Jackson exited early due to injury. This divided the head to head season series 1-1 between the two squads which will be critical for tiebreakers later in the season. Meanwhile, Pool of the Dead has lost its first matchup to Cloud 9 but defeated Jedi Knights which will be interesting for their rematch toward the end of the regular season. In third place of the division, the Jedi Knights are second in the league in points scored at 382.34 (lagging first place by just a point) and have displayed the highest points scored so far this season at 145.22 in Week 3.
The Early Favorites: Jedi Knights, Pool of the Dead, Cloud 9
I Need to See a Little More: Isla Sorna Raptors
Strongest Starting Roster: Cloud 9. Building an elite roster after going QB in round 1 is an impressive feat but Cloud 9 managed to pull it off. Bucky Irving (RB10), Rome Odunze (WR3), Davante Adams (WR10), Tucker Craft and a soon to be returning Rashee Rice all flanking Lamar Jackson is about as good as it gets. While I will argue that the Jedi Knights is one of my favorite rosters in the entire league in the next section, at full strength Cloud 9 has more upside because of the massive edge at quarterback with Lamar Jackson. While Pool of the Dead is sitting at 3-1, lagging points scored by about 50 to the Jedi Knights and 20 to Cloud 9, this roster is hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and subpar starts by Justin Jefferson and Brock Bowers. Until those situations drastically improve, I think Pool of the Dead is the third best team in this division.
Most Well-Rounded Team: Jedi Knights. This is one of my favorite rosters in the entire league. This is an incredible starting roster to rival Cloud 9 with Williams/Herbert (take your pick), Jahmyr Gibbs, Tony Pollard (arguably the only weak link when Tyjae Spears begins to mix in on passing downs), AJ Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the newly acquired Ladd McConkey. JSN’s emergence as an elite top 10 receiver in the league has been well documented as he continues to dominate matchups. AJ Brown and Ladd McConkey bring some concerns but the underlying utilization and target rate suggests better days are ahead. On the bench you have one of Justin Herbert or Caleb Williams, Woody Marks and Jordan Addison. Woody Marks shined amidst a timeshare and has earned a larger workload for the Texans. Jordan Addison off a three game suspension returned with four receptions for 114 yards. This team will shine in the bye weeks and get in the mix in the FFC North race.
Best Future Outlook: Cloud 9. Cloud 9 has some horses coming, but they need a little more time. Rashee Rice is currently serving a six game suspension and has showed WR1 upside in four starts last season and passed the eye test in the 2025 preseason. Also waiting in the shadows is Treyveon Henderson; one of the most exciting RB prospects who is stuck in a RB committee. As many fantasy experts prognosticate, his role should expand as the season goes on only making Cloud 9 look stronger down the road.
My early pick: Jedi Knights. If there was no multi-week injury to Lamar Jackson, I would pick Cloud 9 but I think there are two weeks where the Jedi Knights will pick up some ground on Cloud 9 and can possibly overtake them. The rosters are nearly dead even and it really just depends who can stay healthiest going forward. The loser of Jedi Knights and Cloud 9 is another one of my wildcard teams.
Most likely to jump a tier: None. Overcoming a 0-4 start in such a stacked division will be a near-Herculean effort and I just can’t see it. I think at best the Raptors would have to rip off a massive win streak to get into wildcard contention.
FFC East
The Early Favorites: Gandalf the Goat, Moore on the Run
I Need to See a Little More: Mahomies’ Deezflated Nuts
Certified ASS: SLAM BALL 2K25
Strongest Starting Roster: Moore on the Run. This was a very difficult decision between Gandalf the Goat and Moore on the Run. Looking at the Goat’s roster, it’s basically the Green Bay Packers (which is not necessarily a terrible thing). Neighbor Nic provides a higher upside with elite weapons like Jayden Daniels, Ceedee Lamb, Alvin Kamara and one of the most underrated running backs in a great situation: D’Andre Swift.
Most Well-Rounded Team: Gandalf the Goat. While I believe head to head at full strength, Moore on the Run provides a little higher upside, the Goat has some stronger bench depth pieces which will provide some great flex options during bye weeks. Romeo Doubs is coming off a three touchdown game and looks like the leading favorite in a roulette wheel of fantasy known as the Packers receiving room. Rachaad White looks like he could be utilized for some starts if Bucky Irving’s early injury reports lead to any kind of multi-week absence. Stefon Diggs finally recorded his best game as a New England Patriot going for 101 yards.
Best Future Outlook: Tie. I don’t really see a difference between Gandalf/Neighbor Nic on a season long outlook as both teams are kind of what they are. If anything, the slight edge goes to Neighbor Nic for the fact that he’s currently navigating a multi-week injury to Ceedee Lamb and the length of his absence will be critical to these upcoming mid weeks where both teams will try to create a little distance in the division race.
My early pick: Moore on the Run to win the division, Gandalf the Goat as a wildcard.
Most likely to jump a tier: Mahomies’ Deezflated Nuts is the third team in this division that has a chance. Despite starting off 1-3, they have put together some impressive games and are not without a plethora of talent. Quentin Johnston has risen from the ashes and solidified himself as the alpha receiver on a high powered Chargers offense. A team with a revitalized Patrick Mahomes, Saquon Barkley, Scary Terry and QJ could definitely be in the mix late November.
Early Playoff Predictions
Based on the analysis above, my early outlook on playoff seeding is as follows:
- Jedi Knights
- Sacramento Wolfpack
- Uur UPS
- Gandalf the Goat
- Philippines Garbage Dumps
- Cloud 9
- Da Moon’s Huge Craters
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