Week 11 Power Rankings

It's awfully hard to complain after I went 13-3 on my picks last week, but my 102 points was only good for 8th place (out of 11) since two of those three incorrect predictions cost me my two highest-point values. Of course, because everybody's picks were so similar, I did only finish six points behind the three gentlemen who tied for first. And luckily for me, I remain in second for the year overall with 913 points. That's now 34 points behind first place, but 15 points ahead of third.

Special mention needs to be made of Marshawn Lynch, whose negative one fantasy point total meant that I would have, in fact, been better off leaving the injured Michael Turner in my lineup—despite the fact that he didn't play. I'd bemoan my fantasy football fate more if I wasn't currently in second in the NBA fantasy league I'm in and both of my fantasy hockey teams are currently in first. Yeah, so suck it.

For the first time in what seems like too long, I can say my straight-up score for the week was the best of the bunch as the bro-in-law, Mike Golic of ESPN, and Charles Robinson and Michael Silver of Yahoo were the only others to go 13-3. Merrill Hoge, Adam Schefter, and Jason Cole all went 12-4, while Eric Allen, Chris Mortensen, Mark Schlereth, Seth Wickersham, and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports tied for the still-somewhat-respectable mark of 11-5 that constitutes the week's low—although Ron Jaworski presumably would've gone with the Texans on Monday and joined them, but instead finished 11-4.

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

1. (1) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 112-48 (.700)
2. (2) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 111-49 (.694)
3. (3) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 109-51 (.681)
3. (5) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 109-51 (.681)
5. (7) Mike Golic, ESPN: 108-51 (.679)
6. (3) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 108-52 (.675)
7. (5) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 107-53 (.669)
8. (9) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 99-50 (.664)
9. (8) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 106-54 (.663)
9. (10) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 106-54 (.663)
11. (11) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 104-56 (.650)
11. (13) YOURS TRULY: 104-56 (.650)
13. (11) Eric Allen, ESPN: 103-57 (.644)
14. (14) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 99-61 (.619)

We've still got five teams that are in the red for the year, but after a 13-3 week, that means 26 of the teams went up. Here's where they all stand now heading into Week 12:

1. (1) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 21-13 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 1-9
• My predicted record: 0-10
• My record at predicting their record: 9-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +106
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +100
  

Did you catch (pun intended) Brandon Gibson's impressive stat last weekend? The Rams wide receiver tied Wes Welker for most times targeted in Week 11, each with 17. But Welker had 15 catches. Gibson? Five. If you want to place the blame on Marc Bulger, that's fine. He's out now and Kyle Boller gets to step in to help the Rams crawl across the finish line this year.

2. (3) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 38-7 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 1-9
• My predicted record: 0-10
• My record at predicting their record: 9-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +103
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +90
  

What, is that unusual to demote your defensive coordinator in the middle of the season?

3. (5) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 38-7 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 10-0
• My predicted record: 8-2
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +88
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -2
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +86
  

I had to read this line from a commentary about the upcoming Patriots game twice just to make sure I read it right: "I don't see what the big deal is about this game."

4. (2) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Detroit, 38-37 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 1-9
• My predicted record: 0-10
• My record at predicting their record: 9-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +90
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +83

Is it possible the Browns really got the better of that Braylon Edwards trade?

5. (3) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 38-37 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 2-8
• My predicted record: 2-8
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +90
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
  
• Plus/Minus: +82
  

I'm not surprised so much by Matthew Stafford being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week as I am that his jersey from that game was sent to the Hall of Fame.

6. (6) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Baltimore, 17-15 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 10-0
• My predicted record: 9-1
• My record at predicting their record: 9-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +76
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +73
  

The Colts can be the first team to wrap up a division this weekend.

7. (7) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 35-9 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 3-7
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +27
• Points scored for me with losses: +52
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +72

Could the reason behind Seattle's poor rushing game be the quality of the defenses they've run up against so far?

8. (9) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 35-9 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 9-1
• My predicted record: 7-3
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +68
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +64
  

Not surprisingly, Tavaris Jackson is enjoying the view from the bench on a winning team as opposed to taking most of the blame when he started.

9. (11) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 32-3 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 7-3
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +43
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +50
  

The Chargers signed veteran offensive lineman John Runyan—who then announced he'll retire at season's end and run for Congress in New Jersey.

9. (13) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to Dallas, 7-6 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 3-7
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 7-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +49
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: +50
  

Do you smell what Rock is cooking? You better—because every other Washington running back is hurt.

9. (13) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 7-6 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 7-3
• My predicted record: 7-3
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +60
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
  
• Plus/Minus: +50

How the hell does any professional team in Texas get that far into the year without an American flag?

12. (12) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 34-31 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 5-5
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +26
• Points scored for me with losses: +29
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +47
  

Jason Elam wasn't the kicker I would've imagined having problems, but sure enough, here's Atlanta now giving four guys tryouts.

13. (18) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 31-14 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 7-3
• My predicted record: 9-1
• My record at predicting their record: 6-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +66
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
• Plus/Minus: +45

The last time the Patriots played at the Superdome, it was when they won the Super Bowl.

14. (16) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Atlanta, 34-31 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 6-4
• My predicted record: 10-0
• My record at predicting their record: 6-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +62
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -20
• Plus/Minus: +42
  

Tom Coughlin should have a better Thanksgiving knowing he won't be getting any more threatening letters from crazy people in Philly (I know, I know ... "As opposed to the non-crazy people in Philly, D. Rock?").

14. (19) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 18-15 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-7
• My predicted record: 2-8
• My record at predicting their record: 7-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
• Points scored for me with losses: +57
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +42
  

I would think Mike Shanahan has to be encouraged if he spent seven hours talking about the Bills head coaching job.

16. (8) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Beat Pittsburgh, 27-24 (-16)
  
• Actual Record: 3-7
• My predicted record: 2-8
• My record at predicting their record: 7-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +59
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -21
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
  
• Plus/Minus: +37
  

Jamaal Charles plans on consuming an entire turkey tomorrow.

17. (13) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 24-17 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 4-6
• My predicted record: 4-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +41
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +36

The Panthers have the most difficult remaining schedule of any team still hoping for a playoff spot, but I imagine this will continue to be repeated even after they've been mathematically eliminated.

18. (10) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 20-17 (-15)
  
• Actual Record: 3-7
• My predicted record: 1-9
• My record at predicting their record: 8-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +59
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +34
  

The Raiders had a huge upset last week, so you know what that means: They'll probably go right back to sucking.

19. (16) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 24-17 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 5-5
• My predicted record: 4-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
• Points scored for me with losses: +25
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -1
  
• Plus/Minus: +32
  

The Fins cut linebacker Matt Roth, although the timing is rather, um, fishy.

20. (21) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 17-15 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 5-5
  
• My predicted record: 8-2
• My record at predicting their record: 5-5
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +43
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -2
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
• Plus/Minus: +27

Boy, does it hurt being a Ravens fan this year.

20. (23) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 30-24 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 4-6
• My predicted record: 2-8
• My record at predicting their record: 6-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +33
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +27
  

Mike Singletary isn't talking about making any changes and one columnist makes a case for why the Niners shouldn't make any to their coaching staff, even if San Fran misses the playoffs once again.

22. (22) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 24-20 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 6-4
• My predicted record: 7-3
• My record at predicting their record: 7-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +39
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +9
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: +24
  

Remember that Michael Vick guy? Somebody thinks Philly can still do something with him.

23. (24) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 24-20 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 4-6
• My predicted record: 8-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +33
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
  
• Plus/Minus: +15
  

Bears brass denies inevitable reports about the team making initial inquiries toward some of the big head coaching names out there.

24. (20) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Lost to Kansas City, 27-24 (-16)
  
• Actual Record: 6-4
  
• My predicted record: 9-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +44
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -34
  
• Plus/Minus: +9

Hey, even if Mike Tomlin can't get the Steelers into the playoffs this year, he did get a mention on "House."

25. (26) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 30-24 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 6-4
• My predicted record: 7-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +43
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: -31
  
• Plus/Minus: +7
  

Who said Green Bay holds grudges? The team plans on inducting Mark Chmura into its Hall of Fame. Perhaps calling Brett Favre "selfish" helped people get past the accusation of sexually assaulting his 17-year-old babysitter.

25. (27) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 18-15 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 6-4
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 5-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +24
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +14
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +7
  

Jacksonville needs the Jaguars, apparently.

27. (25) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 20-17 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 4-6
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 5-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
• Points scored for me with losses: +24
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +6

No team's ever rebounded quite like the Titans in dropping the first six and then winning the next three, let alone four.

28. (28) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to Tennessee, 20-17 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 5-5
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 6-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +17
• Points scored for me with losses: +14
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
  
• Plus/Minus: -4
  

I thought I said something about it earlier this season, but nothing's coming up in a search for it, so let me ask it now: Does Twitter ever not lead to trouble?

28. (29) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 32-3 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 6-4
• My predicted record: 7-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: -4
  

After dropping four straight and losing control of the AFC West, the Broncos players are meeting without their coaches.

30. (30) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 31-24 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 4-6
• My predicted record: 4-6
• My record at predicting their record: 4-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +8
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
  
• Plus/Minus: -11
  

OK, again, does Twitter ever not lead to trouble?

31. (31) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 21-13 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 7-3
• My predicted record: 5-5
• My record at predicting their record: 4-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
• Plus/Minus: -16
  

I went and picked up Matt Leinart for my fantasy team, only to find out that Kurt Warner plans on playing Sunday—presumably because Jesus wants it that way.

32. (32) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 20-17 (-15)
  
• Actual Record: 7-3
• My predicted record: 4-6
• My record at predicting their record: 1-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: -28
• Plus/Minus: -55
  

Unbelievable. I thought the team could most certainly move swiftly out of their nearly season-long residence in the cellar, but now I fear that it's practically hopeless they turn out a positive number for me by the end of the year.

It's enough to make my head hurt, which I guess I can ask Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano about—seeing as they just suddenly resigned as co-chairmen of the league’s committee on brain injuries.

My record for individual point values now only has one spot where I'm unblemished after last weekend's blow to the top two spots:

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