Call of Duty League Power Rankings entering Stage 3

Almost nobody saw a Toronto Ultra major win coming, but it was certainly a fitting finish to a wild Stage 2 in the Call of Duty League.

After Stage 1 shook out pretty much as expected, seemingly crystallizing the pecking order in the CDL, the last month led to a dramatic shake-up in the rankings. Supposed S-tier teams played like they belonged in the middle of the pack. Squads that were almost written off suddenly look like legitimate championship contenders. The Atlanta FaZe lost -- twice!

Only one thing is certain right now, and that is the standings are not an accurate reflection of who holds the momentum. That's what our power rankings are here for.

Previous Power Rankings: Entering Stage 2

12. London Royal Ravens (Previous ranking: 12)

2-10 W-L record | 16-30 map record | 30 CDL points

They provided a glimmer of hope that they can turn their season around after opening Stage 2 with back-to-back match wins. The Ravens have since wilted though, going 3-12 in their last 15 maps.

11. Paris Legion (Previous: 10)

4-8 W-L record | 19-27 map record | 50 CDL points

They made a much-needed and perhaps overdue lineup change for Stage 3, although Donovan "Temp" Laroda was already benched by the Thieves this season with an 0.92 kill-death ratio, which is identical to the player he replaces.

Read more: Looking back on LA Home Series as CDL announces return of LANs

10. Los Angeles Guerrillas (Previous: 6)

5-9 W-L record | 21-33 map record | 70 CDL points

Despite their respectable eighth-place position in the standings, the Guerrillas' .389 map win percentage ranks second-to-last in the CDL, ahead of only London.

9. Florida Mutineers (Previous: 7)

6-9 W-L record | 26-30 map record | 60 CDL points

Bringing back Colt "Havok" McLendon seems like a safe bet. The Mutineers experienced success with him last season, and what the team needs right now is some consistency.

8. Seattle Surge (Previous: 11)

4-9 W-L record | 21-31 map record | 50 CDL points

Had they been able to close out tight matches against either Minnesota or Dallas, the Surge would've cracked the winners bracket at Major II. Still, their 3-4 record in Stage 2 was a step in the right direction.

Read more: JKap discusses his coaching transition, how his LA Thieves can improve and more

7. Los Angeles Thieves (Previous: 5)

9-8 W-L record | 31-32 map record | 110 CDL points

After making some noise with three wins in the elimination bracket at the major, including an upset of NYSL, the Thieves are perhaps the most intriguing team to watch in Stage 3.

6. OpTic Chicago (Previous: 3)

10-7 W-L record | 37-29 map record | 140 CDL points

Hard to put a finger on exactly what's ailing OpTic right now. Their 4-4 record in Stage 2 wasn't terrible, but with two of the top five CDL players in overall K/D this season in Brandon "Dashy" Otell and Matthew "FormaL" Piper, Chicago should look much better.

5. New York Subliners (Previous: 4)

10-7 W-L record | 33-30 map record | 140 CDL points

Understandably frustrated by their showing at the major (0-2, 0-6), NYSL reportedly might sub in Paco "HyDra" Rusiewiez, who missed the beginning of the season due to COVID travel restrictions.

Read more: Priestahh discusses why ROKKR have turned their season around

4. Minnesota ROKKR (Previous: 8)

7-7 W-L record | 27-29 map record | 110 CDL points

Winners of four of their last six matches, the ROKKR are finally living up to the preseason hype. Two key differences: newfound competence in Hardpoint (6-5 since starting 2-9) and the emergence of rookie Eli "Standy” Bentz (eighth in the CDL with a 1.06 KD).

3. Toronto Ultra (Previous: 9)

10-9 W-L record | 42-40 map record | 125 CDL points

They shocked the world with their major win, but let's not forget that the Ultra were 5-8, 24-31 going into the tournament. Will their recent success continue once there's a target on their backs?

2. Dallas Empire (Previous: 2)

11-7 W-L record | 43-34 map record | 180 CDL points

Is there a more clutch team in the CDL than the Empire? Dallas are 6-3 in decisive Game 5s this season and 7-0 in Round 11 of Search & Destroy. Of course, the flip side to that is that very little is coming easy right now for the Empire.

1. Atlanta FaZe (Previous: 1)

14-2 W-L record | 49-19 map record | 225 CDL points

FaZe are still the best team in the CDL until opponents consistently prove otherwise, though they have come back down to earth a bit. What changed? After posting an 11-1 record in S&D during Stage 1, Atlanta went 4-7 in Stage 2.