Week Two Power Rankings

That was quite the brutal week last week. I went 10-6 on my picks, which would've been something along the lines of unacceptable had it not actually ended up being a pretty decent score of 82 points. That was good enough for sixth place (out of 16) in the pool's weekly contest, but helped me shake off the other two I was sharing that tie for fourth place (out of 16) with in the season's standings. I remain in fourth for the year with 199 points, only seven behind the overall leader.

As for the online prognosticators, nobody did better than Yahoo's Charles Robinson at 12-4. Both Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN went 11-5; ESPN's Mike Golic and Merril Hoge were just like myself at 10-6; the bro-in-law, Yahoo's Michael Silver, ESPN's Eric Allen, Mark Schlereth and Seth Wickersham were all 9-7; Ron Jaworski had an 8-7 score and must hate not getting to pick Monday Night games since they're almost always gimmes; and bringing up the rear were Yahoo's Jason Cole and Pete Prisco from CBS Sports with some dreadful 7-9 marks.

Now, on the year (numbers in parentheses indicating where the dude stood in the rankings last week):

1. (1) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 25-7 (.781)
2. (5) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 24-8 (.750)
3. (2) Mike Golic, ESPN: 23-8 (.742)
4. (5) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 23-9 (.719)
5. (5) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 22-10 (.688)
5. (3) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 22-10 (.688)
5. (5) YOURS TRULY: 22-10 (.688)
8. (5) Eric Allen, ESPN: 21-11 (.656)
8. (5) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 21-11 (.656)
10. (12) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 19-11 (.633)
11. (3) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 20-12 (.625)
11. (13) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 20-12 (.625)
11. (13) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 20-12 (.625)
14. (5) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 19-13 (.594)

And this week's Power Rankings of how teams are performing for me after two weeks indicates that two familiar favorites are back atop the listings. You will also note that I've begun to include the logical statistic of how I am faring at predicting a team's performance, since a team could in theory have the same record I had "predicted" for them but gotten both games completely wrong. I think you'll see what I'm talking about there, along with some "second thoughts" following Week Two's performances:

1. (5) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 27-13 (+15)
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 29
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +29
  
• Second thoughts:

We were feeling that terrible fear you get when the Lions actually have a lead and it suddenly looks like they might actually win a game. And then we checked the sheet and noticed not a single person picked Detroit and everybody had Minnesota for no less than 14 points. Oh, and then the Vikings went on to win, of course.

Welcome back, Motown. I'm guessing your helmet's pretty likely to stay here.

2. (9) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 9-7 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 28
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +28
  
• Second thoughts:

Spent most of last season being Detroit's bridesmaid in these rankings, and their opening week performance seemed to indicate they'd still be tagging along. They didn't suffer the complete drubbing from the Skins that I'd expected, but there's still potential for them to reach the top of the list.

3. (1) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 33-20 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 10
• Points scored for me with losses: 16
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +26
  
• Second thoughts:

They're going to need the mother of all shitstorms to beat the Saints this weekend. Always good to be counting on the other team playing poorly in bad weather, of course.

3. (13) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 9-7 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 16
• Points scored for me with losses: 10
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +26
  
• Second thoughts:

Speaking of the Skins, nothing makes me more edgy about picking them than narrowly getting by the Rams before a trip to Detroit. That recurring temptation I suffered last season seems to be resurfacing ...

5. (3) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 13-10 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 4
• Points scored for me with losses: 15
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +19
  
• Second thoughts:

How do you feel right now if you're a Raiders fan living in the Bay Area without a ticket for the game this Sunday? Better not plan on watching that one.

5. (5) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 48-22 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 19
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +19
  
• Second thoughts:

While you could nitpick about the quality of their first two opponents, Drew Brees isn't showing any signs of slowing down and you can only wonder when the Saints will finally hit a snag.

5. (11) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 27-23 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 19
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +19
  
• Second thoughts:

It's pretty impressive when you can win a game while only being on offense for less than 15 minutes. But hardly impressive when the defense allowed the Dolphins to convert more than 70 percent of their third downs.

5. (15) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Buffalo, 45-27 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 19
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +19
  
• Second thoughts:

Still lots of potential here to move higher up in these rankings, possibly being another consistent loser that scores just as much for me as some of the real winners.

5. (19) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 27-13 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 19
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +19
  
• Second thoughts:

I guess some Vikings fans aren't happy that the team isn't showing up higher on more traditional Power Rankings, but Minnesota came out awfully slow against both Detroit and Cleveland—two teams that you're allowed to phone it in for a half. I'd like to see them try that shit with a bit tougher club.

10. (3) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 31-26 (+3)
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 15
• Points scored for me with losses: 3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +18
  
• Second thoughts:

Injuries to Jamal Williams and Nick Hardwick aren't going to help a team that's already showing early signs of struggle.

11. (7) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 13-10 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 17
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +17
  
• Second thoughts:

Yikes. I wonder when I'll want to play Matt Cassel in my fantasy league, but I'm guessing it's not likely to be anytime in the next four weeks as all of those games will be against NFC East opponents.

12. (7) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 31-26 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
  
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• 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
• Second thoughts:

FT-motherfucking-W:

13. (21) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 28-20 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• 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
• Second thoughts:

Taking the ugly way up the rankings.

14. (23) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 28-20 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• 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
  
• Second thoughts:

They'd love to go into that bye week undefeated, but having to do it in Foxboro is one tall order.

15. (13) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 33-31 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
  
• 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
  
• Second thoughts:

I'm slowly regaining that confidence I had in them through most of last season, although it was certainly a bit concerning to see how often Dallas was able to bust out the big run.

16. (9) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 23-10 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 1-1
• 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: 1
  
• Plus/Minus: +11
• Second thoughts:

They're in one tough spot early into the season with at least 10 starters being injured, but nobody on the injured reserve list for the season which would open up a spot and allow them to being in a player.

16. (15) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 33-31 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 9
• Points scored for me with losses: 2
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +11
• Second thoughts:

Getting Carolina at home this week followed by trips to Denver and Kansas City give the Cowboys hope that they can get some momentum going before going into the bye week.

16. (19) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 27-6 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
• 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
• Second thoughts:

I'm not quite ready to bust out the sweatshirt yet, but that's mostly due to the weather not being cold enough to justify it. The way the team's played so far doesn't help either.

19. (23) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 27-23 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
• 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
  
• Second thoughts:

There's the consequence of winning the East last year: Now the Fins get the Chargers this week (not to mention the Steelers for the season finale), while the rest of the teams in their division get the still-weaker squads of the AFC West.

20. (21) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 48-22 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 3
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +8
  
• Second thoughts:

That bye week can't arrive soon enough, but if they've gotta play this week, at least the Chiefs don't present a challenge that seems insurmountable.

21. (1) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 16-9 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 1-1
• 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: 11
• Plus/Minus: +5
• Second thoughts:

That's what I get for saying how confident I was before they failed to score a touchdown.

21. (11) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 31-17 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-1
• 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: 6
• Plus/Minus: +5
  
• Second thoughts:

Pathetic performance against the Cardinals seems indicative of the way they manage to frustrate me every year.

23. (29) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 27-6 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 7
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +1
  
• Second thoughts:

Four straight games against 1-1 teams (at Oakland, vs. Dallas, vs. New England, at San Diego) before going into the bye week. They're riding high now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them at .500 when their week off arrives.

24. (17) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 17-14 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
  
• My predicted record: 2-0
• My record at predicting their record: 1-1
• 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: 9
  
• Plus/Minus: -1
• Second thoughts:

So is that the reason the Bears put down such shitty turf? Works for me.

25. (17) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 34-31 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 0-2
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-1
• 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: 13
• Plus/Minus: -5
• Second thoughts:

Their defense looked positively awful against Houston and there's now justified cause for concern as to how the Titans are anywhere near as good as the 13-3 club they were last season.

26. (31) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 23-10 (-1)
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -8
  
• Second thoughts:

I'm going to have to start respecting them more some time soon.

27. (25) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Pittsburgh, 17-14 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 9
• Points taken from me with losses: 1
  
• Plus/Minus: -10
  
• Second thoughts:

Slow down on any sort of championship talk there, my fellow Chicagoans. Yes, they beat the defending world champions, but again, based largely on two missed field goals. A win's a win for sure, but there's still a lot this team needs to prove.

28. (31) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 31-17 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• 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: 7
• Plus/Minus: -13
  
• Second thoughts:

Kurt Warner completed a ridiculous 24 of 26 passes against the Jaguars. I've got five bucks right now saying he won't have a better game this year.

29. (25) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 31-24 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• 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: 14
  
• Plus/Minus: -15
  
• Second thoughts:

Nothing helps a team rebound from a loss to the Bengals quite like having the Rams as your next opponent. Aaron Rodgers will welcome more of a focus on running the ball.

30. (27) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat New England, 16-9 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 2-0
• My predicted record: 0-2
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 16
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
  
• Plus/Minus: -16
  
• Second thoughts:

Coach Ryan's got a message for you.

31. (27) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 34-31 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 5
  
• Plus/Minus: -18
  
• Second thoughts:

This team was in such good graces with me last season. They had only cost me two points for the first 14 weeks of the year and then cost me a single point before taking a bit of a tumble those last few weeks. Here's to hoping they just got off to a slow start with me and regain their form.

32. (29) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 31-24 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 1-1
• My predicted record: 1-1
• My record at predicting their record: 0-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 14
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
• Plus/Minus: -20
  
• Second thoughts:

Obviously not going to be the predictably bad squad I'm used to, and certainly appear to be over that Week One heartbreaker.

My record by point value:

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