OVERWATCH POWER RANKINGS – STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Two weeks into the season and we’re starting to see a few teams settling into a deadly groove and a few others, hello Houston, beginning to show some signs of life. So, how do the results shake up the power rankings?
1: Seoul Dynasty
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 1
Match Record (W-L): 4-0
Map Record (W-D-L): 14-1-1
Next Week’s Schedule: Shanghai Dragons, New York Excelsior
As expected, Seoul swept both of their week two opponents and remain on top spot after week two. They mixed things up a little in their starting lineup against Florida, at times it felt more like a training run, but still managed to show off their incredible skill and teamwork in the process. Is there anyone that can challenge them? That answer might finally come next week as New York gets their chance in a clash of the early titans, but for now Seoul look unbeatable and will no doubt feel like they can go on from here without much trouble.
2: New York Excelsior
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 4
Match Record: 4-0
Map Record: 13-1-2
Next Week’s Schedule: Philadelphia Fusion, Seoul Dynasty
New York has solidified themselves as the team best suited for potentially taking down the Dynasty. They defeated a tough Valiant team and took care of business against a less talented Gladiator squad. Meanwhile, Saebyeolbe continues to also shoot lights out. The formula for taking down New York is going to be to try and shut him down, but that’s easier said than done of course. Seoul and a dangerous Fusion team await next week and whatever happens there will be the true benchmark for the Excels.
3: London Spitfire
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 3
Match Record: 4-0
Map Record: 13-0-4
Next Week’s Schedule: San Francisco Shock, Boston Uprising
London continue to win, but probably not as convincingly as they would like. They left a window of opportunity open for the struggling Fuel who almost crept through before it was slammed shut, whilst the Valiant put on a much stronger showing and forced extra time on Lijang Tower. That slip in concentration nearly cost them the win, but still, the Spitfire held on whilst constantly playing with the meta in the process (hello, Torbs!). So, there’s still work to do to catch up to the Excels and Dynasty if they want to compete for that top two spot, but they certainly seem like an early playoff favorite.
4: Los Angeles Valiant
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 2
Match Record: 2-2
Map Record: 9-2-6
Next Week’s Schedule: Los Angeles Gladiators, Florida Mayhem
That’s two tough losses for the Valiant after surprising many with great start. There’s plenty of positives to take away from those results for this young team despite the rough week thrown at them, looking good against two really tough teams. Next week they should be able to bounce back. The Gladiators could be tricky, but the Valiant should have any trouble with the Mayhem.
5: Philadelphia Fusion
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 7 (^)
Match Record: 2-2
Map Record: 7-1-10
Next Week’s Schedule: New York Excelsior, Shanghai Dragons
Philly remains one of the better fringe teams, continuing to defy early predictions but still showing signs of weakness in their game. They’ll be kicking themselves later on for allowing the Gladiators back into a match they had no business winning. There’s two important tests ahead in week three: a prime time match against the Excels, and a game versus the Dragons that they need to win if they are going to be taken seriously as a playoff contender.
6: Houston Outlaws
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 9
Match Record: 2-2
Map Record: 11-0-6
Next Week’s Schedule: Florida Mayhem, Los Angeles Gladiators
Well that’s more like it. After a poor start last week, Houston responded the best way they could with two convincing wins against teams they should be beating. Everything felt cleaner and tighter compared to their opening rounds, especially against the Fuel who had no real answers. Next week’s schedule could play into the Outlaws’ hands to build on this momentum, though they will no doubt have one eye firmly locked on their massive week four clash against the Dynasty.
7: Los Angeles Gladiators
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 6
Match Record: 2-2
Map Record: 7-0-10
Next Week’s Schedule: Los Angeles Valiant, Houston Outlaws
Like the Fusion, the Gladiators have plenty of potential but again it comes down to consistency. They’ve got plenty of fight in them that’s for sure, coming back from 2-0 down against Philly to pull out an unlikely victory, but they found things a lot tougher against New York in comparison. They were barely able to get that first point on Dorado, unable to crack a tight defensive formation. Shaz and company do have a solid foundation to build upon, but the battle for LA looks like it will fall the way of the Valiant in the early part of the season, but the Gladiators will get their chance to prove otherwise this upcoming week.
8: Boston Uprising
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 5
Match Record: 1-3
Map Record: 7-0-10
Next Week’s Schedule: London Spitfire, Dallas Fuel
Boston has a lot to think about going forward. They couldn’t put a dent into the Dynasty and were left playing catch-up against the Shock for most of that contest. When you hold out a team at the first point on Horizon, but allow that very same team to beat you on Oasis, then you know you’ve got a lot of homework ahead of you.
9: San Francisco Shock
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 10
Match Record: 2-2
Map Record: 7-1-9
Next Week’s Schedule: London Spitfire, Dallas Fuel
The Shock still aren’t as clean as they need to be if they have a chance to be contenders, but things are beginning to look a little brighter. They scratched and clawed out a win over Boston and hung with the Fusion. They will have a great test ahead of them this week against the Spitfire and the Fuel.
10: Dallas Fuel
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 8
Match Record: 0-4
Map Record: 2-1-12
Next Week’s Schedule: San Francisco Shock, Boston Uprising
It’s not a time to panic just yet, but the Fuel are having a horrendous start versus their expectations pre-season that’s for sure. That would be a huge disappointment considering what this team has accomplished over the years, even more so to the many fans that considered them an early favorite. There’s some signs of life though, the Fuel seemed to finally click into gear late against London and that could be the catalyst for their turn-around, but losing a player to some poor behind the scenes remarks doesn’t help their cause. There’s two middling teams awaiting them this week. The Fuel need to come away with at least a split.
11: Florida Mayhem
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 11
Match Record: 1-3
Map Record: 5-0-11
Next Week’s Schedule: Houston Outlaws, LA Valiant
Florida finally got a win in the books, but it’s nothing to write home about considering it was the Dragons, who are a mess. Still, a win is a win and no doubt getting that monkey off their backs will bring a sense of relief and something to work with in turning things around. The Mayhem at least look like they belong in the league, but will have a tough set of games this week versus the Outlaws and the Valiant. Taking either one of those matches would be a major victory for the Mayhem.
12: Shanghai Dragons
OVERWATCH LEAGUE POWER RANKINGS: STAGE 1 WEEK 2
Last Week: 12
Match Record: 0-4
Map Record: 1-0-15
Next Week’s Schedule: Seoul Dynasty, Philadelphia Fusion
Things aren’t looking good for the Dragons. They blew their best chance at an early win versus the Mayhem and got smacked around by the Outlaws, as anticipated. Whatever is happening over there, the community have expressed concern, and hopefully the response is a positive sign that things will turn around. Sadly though, it doesn’t get an easier next week. The Dragons will likely be occupying this spot for the whole season if something doesn’t change.
