Week One Power Rankings

Last year, I didn't begin my weekly Power Rankings until Week Three, but I wanted to get back in the habit right away. While I began using the information gleaned from this process to actually assist in determining how to order my predictions in Week Nine, I'll also begin adding that little information bar below the picks this coming weekend—although I'm not terribly likely to pay much mind to what those numbers say until a few weeks down the road ... I think.

I'll also be posting my record for the year in comparison to the boys at ESPN, Yahoo, and—new this year!—my brother-in-law. LEV and my sister just welcomed my first nephew into the world, so hopefully he's still able to get to the computer to share his predictions each week as well. Oh, and I threw Pete Prisco from CBS Sports in there too.

Now, as for how the NFL's opening week went, I went 12-4, which was good for 117 points and a three-way tie for fourth place (out of 16). Most people's numbers were fairly close, but after one week, here's how things look so far (NOTE: Sucks to be Mike Golic and Ron Jaworski, both of whom did not make picks for the Monday night supposed "gimmes" that they were calling):

1. Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 14-2 (.875)
2. Mike Golic, ESPN: 13-2 (.867)
3. Jason Cole, Yahoo: 13-3 (.813)
3. Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 13-3 (.813)
5. Eric Allen, ESPN: 12-4 (.750)
5. Merril Hoge, ESPN: 12-4 (.750)
5. Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 12-4 (.750)
5. Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 12-4 (.750)
5. Adam Schefter, ESPN: 12-4 (.750)
5. Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 12-4 (.750)
5. YOURS TRULY: 12-4 (.750)
12. Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 11-4 (.733)
13. Michael Silver, Yahoo: 11-5 (.688)
13. LEV, crazy colored glasses: 11-5 (.688)

Clearly, the Power Rankings are going to be 16 ties down the line (everybody's an odd number), but I'll give the presentation edge to the victor in each game and first thoughts about each team after the first week (NOTE: Parenthetical numbers normally signify where the team was previously ranked the week before, but this being opening week, that number indicates where the team finished last season in the Power Rankings):

1. (13) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 25-24 (+16)
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 16
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +16
  
• First impression:

Tom Brady earns Dick Move of the Week, while Suzy Kolber continues to be a divine inspiration to us all:

1. (31) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 25-24 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 16
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +16
  
• First impression:

I know it was a tough loss, but isn't vandalizing a player's lawn after one game a pretty bad sign? I know that "huge" wouldn't even begin to describe an upset of the Patriots at Foxborough, but this was not Super Bowl XXV.

3. (20) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 24-20 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 15
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +15
  
• First Impression:

All indications are that I was right to fear San Diego would start slow. They survived an enormous scare and might have restored a little faith in their offense, but my skepticism surrounding them in the first half of the season now strikes me as being entirely justifiable.

3. (22) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 24-20 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 15
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +15
  
• First Impresssion:

A solid outing, but all four of these top teams were involved in the Monday Night madness that was just minutes away from being the four bottom in each of the two games. Good teams do find ways to win games just as much as bad teams find ways to lose them. The Bills can pass off much of their misfortune on a fumble (which Pats fans will proudly say was one New England "made"), but the Raiders' defense—despite Richard Seymour really trying to validate that boneheaded trading away of their 2011 first-round pick—couldn't finish what it started. There were flashes of a more physical, energetic team, but here's an early contender for the fanbase that endures the most heartbreaking year of falling on the wrong side while seemingly always toeing the line that separates victory from defeat. (NOTE: That reversal on the TD was kinda bullshit.)

5. (18) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 45-27 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 14
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +14
  
• First Impression:

Somebody's feeling pretty smart for picking the Saints to be the NFL's annual worst-to-first team. Yes, I know it was the Lions, but what, you don't think they weren't dying to finally win a game?

5. (1) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 45-27 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 14
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +14
  
• First Impression:

So Detroit didn't start the year atop these rankings, where they spent most of last season. I've already mentioned how many times I picked them last year and have no plans to match or exceed that total this year. Sunday's latest bitchslap from Drew Brees didn't give me much reason to reconsider.

7. (4) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 38-24 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 13
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +13
  
• First Impression:

I initially thought the Ravens' D perhaps wasn't up to snuff this year after seeing that point total, but it sounds like I made the same mistake as Mike Golic.

7. (9) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 38-24 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 13
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +13
  
• First Impression:

Keeping previous comment about the Baltimore misconception in mind, I'm not as quick to buy a similar assertion from Kansas City.

9. (10) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 28-0 (+12)
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 12
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +12
  
• First Impression:

Did what any Pops Warner team could probably do these days and kept the Rams off the board. So, the only conclusion I can safely draw is that they didn't fuck up anything too major. Nice work.

9. (2) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 28-0 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +12
  
• First Impression:

After Matt Hasselbeck effectively spotted them two interceptions, the Rams were able to do absolutely nothing with them. They've made the early push to remain favorites for my 15-point loser's bracket, but if things remain in such chaos, they can easily take over Detroit.

11. (3) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 14-12 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 11
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +11
  
• First Impression:

So there was good reason to be nervous last week, but at least it didn't turn out to be full-fledged frustration. It sounds as though the addition of former Eagle Hank Baskett is a move made more to improve special teams than add another weapon at wide receiver.

11. (26) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 14-12 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +11
• First Impression:

What's the answer to your game possibly being subject to a blackout because you couldn't sell enough tickets for your home opener against the defending NFC Champions?

Draft Tim Tebow, of course! (Don't ask what can be done this year, however.)

13. (4) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 23-17 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +10
• First Impression:

Similar to Indianapolis in that I would have preferred a larger margin of victory, but the first real test for the Giants will come in their Week Two nationally-televised Sunday Night game in Big D.

13. (30) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 23-17 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 10
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +10
  
• First Impression:

Hung around pretty well with the favored Giants, but Jason Campbell will finally get an opportunity to add some fluff to his statistics when the 'Skins play St. Louis in Week Two.

15. (22) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 34-21 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 9
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +9
  
• First Impression:

Third NFC East team in a row, and the Cowboys had to be encouraged by how Tony Romo performed without Terrell Owens. Still, I'm not going to read too much into a win over the lowly Buccaneers.

15. (18) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Dallas, 34-21 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 9
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +9
• First Impression:

Did I hear they signed Michael Clayton? Really?

Oh, I see.

17. (7) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 13-10 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 8
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +8
• First Impression:

If I didn't say it last year, Big Ben is well on his way to becoming the leading iconic QB in the NFL (now that Favre's so widely viewed as an opportunistic, prima donna douchebag). Case in point: The "Get me my hat" story.

17. (20) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 13-10 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 8
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +8
• First Impression:

You still had to be impressed with the fight they put up in Pittsburgh, and their defense seemed ready to remain a force even without Albert Haynesworth.

19. (15) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 34-20 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 4
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +4
  
• First Impression:

Call a doctor, because this play was sick:

19. (14) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 34-20 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 4
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +4
  
• First Impression:

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

21. (24) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 38-10 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 3
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +3
• First Impression:

Their defense was the top scorer for me in my first week of fantasy football, which doesn't mean all that much since most every offensive player failed to live up to their projections.

21. (21) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 38-10 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +3
  
• First Impression:

I mean, I had my doubts about Jake Delhomme, but I had no idea his debut this year would end up being that disastrous.

23. (29) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 19-7 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 2
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +2
  
• First Impression:

My top fantasy pick, Michael Turner, didn't prove why he was so highly touted in the Falcons' first game, but Atlanta did manage to comfortably handle a Dolphins squad I had expected to give them bigger problems.

23. (12) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 19-7 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
  
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 2
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +2
• First Impression:

An opening week loss suggests the haters may be right and last year's surprising division winners were a bit of a fluke. I'm not so eager to write them off entirely, but they've certainly got some work to do before I begin to feel comfortable picking them to win again.

25. (26) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 21-15 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 1
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -1
• First Impression:

After getting by the Bears and proving themselves to be somewhat as good as their hype, the Pack's going to be able to build up a little momentum before going to Minnesota in Week Four. Chances are good that everything will be clicking for them by that time: A Cincinnati team still likely stinging from a last-second defeat followed by the hapless Rams should allow Aaron Rodgers to be well into his rhythm well before it's time to play the Vikes for control of the North.

25. (25) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 21-15 (-1)
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 1
• Plus/Minus: -1
  
• First Impression:

Where do you even begin? Your savior at QB had perhaps the worst game of his career, certainly helped none by many of those widely criticized lackluster receivers failing to either run routes or look like they had any idea what to do when Jay Cutler was forced to scramble. Oh, and that "elite" linebacking corps I had mentioned? One down for the season, and another out for an extended period of time.

27. (28) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 24-7 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 5
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -5
  
• First Impression:

One win over the Houston Texans, and suddenly there's a case of Jets fever—or at least Rex Ryan is hoping so. He's going to have to hope pretty hard, because Bill Belicheck is probably licking his lips while game-planning for New York's rookie QB.

27. (17) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 24-7 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 5
• Plus/Minus: -5
  
• First Impression:

What I had predicted would finally be the year the Texans got into the playoffs got off to far short of anything resembling encouraging. If nothing else, it resembled the team we've seen the past two years: Start sloppy, get stronger, finish at .500.

29. (32) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 12-7 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 0-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -6
  
• First Impression:

The only team to finish in the negative for points earned for me last season more or less picks up right where they left off. But if Gus Johnson's on the call, who am I to complain?:



29. (16) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 12-7 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
  
• Plus/Minus: -6
  
• First Impression:

I don't know if this franchise could cause me to literally eat shit, but it does have to be rough living in Cincy these days.

31. (7) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 20-16 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 1-0
• My predicted record: 0-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 7
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -7
  
• First Impression:

I'm caught somewhere in between the group of fans who think they've still got a ways to go before they can be a contender and the group of Chicago fans who probably think a little too highly of Mike Singletary just for being a former Bear.

31. (6) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 20-16 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 0-1
• My predicted record: 1-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 7
• Plus/Minus: -7
  
• First Impression:

Certainly am glad I went with the Super Bowl Slump hitting these guys pretty hard. Lady Luck's moved on to another team this year, boys.

My record by point value:

16-point games: 1-0
15-point games: 1-0
14-point games: 1-0
13-point games: 1-0
12-point games: 1-0
11-point games: 1-0
10-point games: 1-0
9-point games: 1-0
8-point games: 1-0
7-point games: 0-1
6-point games: 0-1
5-point games: 0-1
4-point games: 1-0
3-point games: 1-0
2-point games: 1-0
1-point games: 0-1