Week Six Power Rankings

I suppose I was due for a bad week, and that's certainly what last weekend was for me as I posted my worst record so far this year by going a pretty miserable 6-8 on my picks. I got back to my losing ways in the fantasy football league as well, and while that top graphic there shows the lineup I actually lost with, that bottom graphic there using "optimal lineups" clearly shows that it just wasn't meant to be my week because even had I played my best players, I still would have lost by a point. Nice.

Of course, that's fantasy football and if I haven't already made it clear, that's not my top concern (I root for what benefits my confidence pool predictions over what benefits my fantasy numbers every time, although I clearly hope everything works to my advantage). One week after finishing first, I dropped to a 12th place finish (out of 14) by scoring a paltry 54 points last weekend. That puts me at 548 points on the year and drops me back into second place, but I'm only seven points out of first and still 20 points ahead of third.

Michael Silver and Charles Robinson of Yahoo both went 10-4 last week to come out on top of the experts. Mark Schlereth of ESPN was right behind at 9-5 while Ron Jaworski went 8-5. Also from ESPN, Eric Allen, Merrill Hoge and Adam Schefter all went 8-6, as did Yahoo's Jason Cole. Mike Golic went 7-7 while the clusterfuck for last place was shared by myself, the bro-in-law, Chris Mortensen, Seth Wickersham, and Pete Prisco from CBS Sports with 6-8 marks.

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

1. (1) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 64-26 (.711)
2. (4) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 59-25 (.702)
3. (2) YOURS TRULY: 63-27 (.700)
3. (3) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 63-27 (.700)
3. (6) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 63-27 (.700)
6. (5) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 62-28 (.689)
6. (6) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 62-28 (.689)
8. (6) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 59-31 (.656)
8. (6) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 59-31 (.656)
8. (13) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 59-31(.656)
11. (10) Mike Golic, ESPN: 58-31 (.652)
12. (11) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 58-32 (.644)
13. (11) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 56-34 (.622)
14. (14) Eric Allen, ESPN: 55-35 (.611)

Now obviously with that many losses last weekend, I'm going to have more red than usual this week in these numbers. But still, only five teams in the negative for me (although only one of those five would likely be able to become positive in a single week):

1. (1) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 23-20 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 0-6
• My predicted record: 0-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +70
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +70
  
• Link of the Week:

If you want to look for positives in St. Louis, then I guess you could interpret the team's move at the trading deadline to mean that they're still trying to do something this season. (I've got my doubts as to what difference it will make.)

2. (2) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Carolina, 28-21 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 0-6
• My predicted record: 0-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +65
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +65
  
• Link of the Week:

If the article's headline doesn't give it away, this sentence tells you all you need to know about how enthused the team is to be playing in London this weekend:

The way the Tampa Bay schedule is set up, the players will be tired when they leave, tired when they get there and tired all the way through the weekend.

3. (5) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 26-0 (+12)
• Actual Record: 1-5
• My predicted record: 0-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +64
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +56
  
• Link of the Week:

"Losing a player like this is sort of a kick between the legs."

4. (3) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 48-27 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 5-1
• My predicted record: 6-0
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +55
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -1
• Plus/Minus: +54
  
• Link of the Week:

You have to think of last week's loss as "hitting the refresh button on an Internet browser each week," apparently.

5. (8) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 28-21 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 2-3
• My predicted record: 2-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +31
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +49
• Link of the Week:

Jake Delhomme's passer rating ranks 33rd in the league and both Carolina running backs went over 100 yards last week in their victory, and yet I'm still hoping the Panthers can finally get Steve Smith into the end zone this week—to shut him up, if nothing else.

6. (4) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 14-6 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 1-5
• My predicted record: 0-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +53
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +48
  
• Link of the Week:

I'm starting to think I could make a weekly thing out of updates on possible team blackouts. This week, it's the Chiefs are now wondering if they'll be on TV at the end of the year.

7. (17) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 27-14 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-5
• My predicted record: 0-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +48
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +41
• Link of the Week:

H1N1 sidelines a dozen Cleveland players.

8. (8) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 5-0
• My predicted record: 5-0
• My record at predicting their record: 5-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +40
  
• Links of the Week:

Interesting: According to this chart, the undefeated Colts are 8th on a list of most injured teams.

9. (10) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 3-2
• My predicted record: 3-2
• My record at predicting their record: 5-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +39
• Link of the Week:

The hard part of having a running game that employs three backs is keeping everyone happy about how often you use each of the three.

10. (6) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Baltimore, 33-31 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 6-0
• My predicted record: 5-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +41
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +37
  
• Link of the Week:

The undefeated Vikings now have a 24th-ranked passing defense that may head into Pittsburgh without cornerback Antoine Winfield.

10. (11) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat New York Giants, 48-27 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 5-0
• My predicted record: 4-1
• My record at predicting their record: 4-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +38
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +37
  
• Link of the Week:

Kiss of Death: Drawing the comparison to the 2007 Patriots five games into the season.

12. (16) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 34-23 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-3
• My predicted record: 2-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +34
  
• Link of the Week:

Simply mediocre.

13. (12) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to Kansas City, 14-6 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-4
• My predicted record: 4-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: +31
  
• Link of the Week:

Say what you'd like about Jason Campbell, but he's 3-1 vs. the Eagles with an 82.8 passer rating, four TDs and one interception in the last two seasons. Of course, you'll also note in that article that the Eagles "have lost consecutive games after the bye week only once since 2000 under quarterback Donovan McNabb."

14. (12) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 27-3 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 2-4
• My predicted record: 4-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +22
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +30
• Link of the Week:

The loss to Arizona (the fifth out of the last six times they've met) and now the waiting game for their star linebacker's health isn't leading me to believe that the Seahawks will not be finishing atop the West as I'd thought.

15. (21) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 27-14 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
  
• My predicted record: 6-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -12
  
• Plus/Minus: +28
• Link of the Week:

They're suddenly right back in the thick of things in the AFC North, but Big Ben's lawsuit isn't going away.

16. (6) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 13-9 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 2-4
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +37
• Points taken from me with wins: -14
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +27
  
• Link of the Week:

I guess I can join Antonio Pierce among those guilty for not giving the Raiders enough credit, but I still think Richard Seymour's additional comment that Oakland will make the playoffs this year is somewhat absurd.

17. (14) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 16-13 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 2-4
• My predicted record: 2-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
• Points scored for me with losses: +30
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +22
  
• Link of the Week:

Let's talk about Jack Kemp this week instead.

18. (18) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 21-14 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 4-1
• My predicted record: 3-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +16
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +20
  
• Links of the Week:

That could be a problem.

19. (14) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 13-9 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 3-2
• My predicted record: 4-1
• My record at predicting their record: 4-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +28
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: +19
  
• Link of the Week:

The Eagles lose yet another linebacker for the year.

20. (20) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 2-3
• My predicted record: 2-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +16
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +18
  
• Link of the Week:

I will have the writer of this article know that this longtime Bears fan was also recalling that 2006 game he speaks of as the Dolphins prepare for the Saints.

21. (19) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 33-31 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 3-3
  
• My predicted record: 6-0
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +30
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
• Plus/Minus: +15
• Link of the Week:

That Ravens defense ain't what it used to be.

21. (24) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 59-0 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 5-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +33
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
• Plus/Minus: +15
• Link of the Week:

Tom Brady guesses that London's Wembley Stadium is probably "pretty flat," you know, being a soccer field. I guess it's hard to say much about the Buccaneers.

23. (26) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 26-0 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 3-2
• My predicted record: 3-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +23
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: +13
  
• Link of the Week:

I had kinda forgot Ahman Green ever left Green Bay, but he's back now for whatever he's still worth.

24. (23) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: BYE
• Actual Record: 3-2
• My predicted record: 1-4
• My record at predicting their record: 3-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +10
  
• Link of the Week:

Maybe there still is some Chicago left in Singletary when he's begun the "[INSERT:Shaun Hill] is our quarterback" mannerism.

25. (22) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 21-14 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-2
• My predicted record: 4-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
  
• Plus/Minus: +8
  
• Link of the Week:

Memo to Ced: The Bears were telling them the truth, but congratulations on your turnaround. Now keep it up.

26. (25) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 34-23 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 6-0
• My predicted record: 4-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +5
  
• Link of the Week:

The only two other years that the Broncos have entered the bye week undefeated were in 1997 and 1998—the years of their back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

27. (28) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 59-0 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 0-6
• My predicted record: 3-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +24
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +3
• Link of the Week:

Kerry Collins knows not of this QB change of which you speak.

28. (29) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 23-20 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 3-3
• My predicted record: 2-4
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +8
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +14
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
• Plus/Minus: -1
  
• Link of the Week:

Of the seven teams listed as possible targets for that stadium they're going to build outside L.A., anybody else think the Jags are the most likely? (And yes, the Rams would make sense in the sort of romantic "return" notion.)

29. (27) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 27-3 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 3-2
• My predicted record: 2-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +5
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: -12
  
• Link of the Week:

Anquan Boldin to be a game-time decision on Sunday night.

30. (30) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to Buffalo, 16-13 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 3-3
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 2-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
  
• Plus/Minus: -21
  
• Link of the Week:
  

While there's fair attention being paid to concerns about the rookie QB, that defensive line is going to be going through some changes too.

31. (31) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 28-17 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 3-3
• My predicted record: 3-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
  
• Plus/Minus: -26
  
• Link of the Week:

For the love of God, what the hell is going on with Matt Schaub?

32. (32) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 28-17 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 3-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -25
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: -28
  
• Link of the Week:

My cellar-dweller loses out on their own team-related link from now on, so tough shit for you Cincy fans. Instead, take a look at this must-read piece from Malcolm Gladwell comparing dogfighting and football.

My record by point value this season, where I'm below .500 in only two spots and now also at .500 at two spots:

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