Week 13 Power Rankings

Next week will mark the conclusion of my inaugural run at fantasy football and barring some sort of combination of legendary performances, I will likely finish in last place for the year. This past week sort of represented how this first year's effort has gone for me as I watched Braylon Edwards and Marshawn Lynch actually both manage to muster points only to realize they were both on my bench. I immediately feared this would come to be an omen for how my week would unfold.

As you may recall, I decided to utilize my "numbers" for my picks last week, a strategy I employed only once last year, also in Week 13, and won. And however miserable things have been fantasy-wise and might have been last weekend, I was oblivious to it as my picks were clearly the best of any out there last week. My entire Sunday was filled with one unexpected twist of fate that went my way after another, be it Oakland's upset of Pittsburgh, the Dolphins victory over the Patriots, or Arizona's thumping of Minnesota. No, I didn't predict any of thsoe upsets, but I didn't go anywhere near as big as most of the crowd in either pool. (TRUTH)

That in turn, hinged my easy first place finish (out of 11) for the week with a 12-4 mark that was worth 106 points. So, yes, this obviously is shaping up to become a tradition for me. The victory brought me to 1127 points on the year and to within 25 points of the leader as I stay a bit more comfortably in second place. On the year, my record improved to 126-66 (.656) overall, still two games ahead of last year's pace.

Like I said, my 12-4 record was the best I saw, but Pete Prisco of CBS Sports went 11-5 last week. Mike Golic of ESPN and Yahoo's Michael Silver and Jason Cole all went 10-6, while the bro-in-law, Charles Robinson, Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter and Seth Wickersham all went 9-7. Ron Jaworski's 8-7 leaves him between that crowd and the week's cellar-dwelling trio of Eric Allen, Merrill Hoge, and Mark Schlereth who all finished 8-8.

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

1. (1) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 133-59 (.693)
2. (1) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 131-61 (.682)
3. (3) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 130-62 (.677)
4. (4) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 129-63 (.672)
5. (5) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 128-64 (.667)
6. (9) Mike Golic, ESPN: 126-65 (.660)
7. (6) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 126-66 (.656)
7. (12) YOURS TRULY: 126-66 (.656)
9. (8) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 117-62 (.654)
10. (6) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 125-67 (.651)
10. (10) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 125-67 (.651)
12. (10) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 124-68 (.646)
13. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 122-70 (.635)
13. (14) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 122-70 (.635)

So once again, the entire Power Rankings routine I somewhat senselessly put myself through over the course of an NFL season is validated once again on Week 13. I don't know how things will play out over the course of the final four weeks, but I'm hoping to avoid this being the first year in which more than one team finishes in the red for me. It's going to be tough, but here's how things look for all the squads:

1. (1) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 17-9 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-11
• My predicted record: 0-12
• My record at predicting their record: 11-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +126
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +120
  

They're well on their way to a second straight year without once being picked to win by me, and to make matters worse for actual fans of the team, the club's bound to be hit hard by the loss of supplemental revenue sharing.

2. (2) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Carolina, 16-6 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 1-11
• My predicted record: 0-12
• My record at predicting their record: 11-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +128
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +115
  

It has to be rough to look at the prospect of going 1-15 and realizing that even then, you might still not get the No. 1 pick in the draft.

2. (3) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 30-23 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 1-11
• My predicted record: 0-12
• My record at predicting their record: 11-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +122
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +115

Hines Ward currently leading online poll of Browns fans' least favorite Steeler. Get your vote in now!

4. (4) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 23-13 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 2-10
• My predicted record: 2-10
• My record at predicting their record: 10-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +115
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
  
• Plus/Minus: +107
  

I guess if you're going to take the position of resting Matthew Stafford, Baltimore being the upcoming opponent certainly helps your argument.

5. (5) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 33-30 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 12-0
• My predicted record: 9-3
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +103
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +96
  

It's fair to now begin discussing the idea of resting players.

6. (8) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 27-17 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 12-0
• My predicted record: 10-2
• My record at predicting their record: 10-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +88
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +84
  

I guess somebody deserves credit for turning the Colts around, although forgive me for forgetting how bad they once were.

7. (6) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 20-17 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 5-7
• My predicted record: 7-5
• My record at predicting their record: 10-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +36
• Points scored for me with losses: +52
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +81

I guess it's sort of a big deal if your GM resigns, right?

7. (9) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 30-23 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 9-3
• My predicted record: 7-5
• My record at predicting their record: 10-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +74
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +81
  

LT passes up Jim Brown on the all-time rushing list and class abounds.

9. (10) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 33-30 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 3-9
• My predicted record: 5-7
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +76
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: +77
  

Don't take that missed chip shot too hard there, Mr. Suisham, we'll just merely replace you with a guy called "Graham Cracker."

10. (7) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 30-17 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 10-2
• My predicted record: 9-3
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +81
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
• Plus/Minus: +68
  

Wanna be grossed out? There ya go.

11. (11) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 34-7 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 6-6
• My predicted record: 6-6
• My record at predicting their record: 10-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
• Points scored for me with losses: +34
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +66
  

Am I to assume there's no hard feelings?

12. (13) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 44-13 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-9
• My predicted record: 2-10
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +84
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -21
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
  
• Plus/Minus: +62
  

You have been put on notice: Jason Whitlock says the Chiefs are going the wrong direction.

13. (12) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 31-24 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 8-4
• My predicted record: 9-3
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +70
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
  
• Plus/Minus: +54

Flozell Adams: Still A Total Dick.

14. (15) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 16-6 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 5-7
• My predicted record: 5-7
• My record at predicting their record: 8-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +29
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +47
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +53

Somewhat amazingly, Carolina was not flexed out of their Sunday night game against Minnesota on Dec. 20, despite the fact that the Panthers are obviously bad.

15. (17) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat Atlanta, 34-7 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 8-4
• My predicted record: 9-3
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +56
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +9
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: +41
  

If it matters (and, oh, I think it would), DeSean Jackson is saying he'll definitely play against the Giants.

15. (20) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 17-9 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 5-7
• My predicted record: 9-3
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +46
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +15
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
  
• Plus/Minus: +41
  

Well, we've certainly been seeing some major developments concerning the rival newpapers and the reporters they employ to cover the team.

17. (18) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 19-13 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 4-8
• My predicted record: 2-10
• My record at predicting their record: 8-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
• Points scored for me with losses: +61
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +38
  

Kyle Williams has it all figured out: Blame it all on "our own stupidity."

18. (14) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Pittsburgh, 27-24 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 4-8
• My predicted record: 1-11
• My record at predicting their record: 9-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +69
• Points taken from me with wins: -36
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +37
  

Bruce Gradkowski is the first Raiders quarterback in five years to throw for 300 yards in an Oakland victory.

19. (16) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 22-21 (-8)
  
• Actual Record: 7-5
• My predicted record: 11-1
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
• 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: -31
• Plus/Minus: +32

Now at 7-5 and holding only a one-game lead in their division, people are realizing this Pats squad clearly isn't in championship form.

20. (19) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 31-24 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 7-5
• My predicted record: 11-1
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +62
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -29
• Plus/Minus: +27
  

Tom Coughlin also believes that Flozell Adams is Still A Total Dick.

21. (21) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 27-14 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 6-6
  
• My predicted record: 8-4
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +43
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
• Plus/Minus: +26

Ray Rice: Not a fan of Lambeau Field.

21. (22) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 20-17 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 5-7
• My predicted record: 2-10
• My record at predicting their record: 7-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +35
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +26
  

Mike Singletary will be writing a strongly-worded letter that I fully expect to accomplish nothing.

23. (25) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 27-17 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 5-7
• My predicted record: 6-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +36
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +22

And Jeff Fisher's got some complaints of his own with officiating.

24. (24) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Baltimore, 27-14 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 8-4
• My predicted record: 9-3
• My record at predicting their record: 7-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +55
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: -31
  
• Plus/Minus: +19
  

Oh, you Packers fans are so clever.

25. (22) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat New England, 22-21 (-8)
  
• Actual Record: 6-6
• My predicted record: 5-7
• My record at predicting their record: 7-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
• Points scored for me with losses: +25
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -14
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
  
• Plus/Minus: +16
  

Know what was especially F'd up about Miami's victory over New England? They did it without once using the wildcat.

26. (27) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 23-18 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 7-5
• My predicted record: 7-5
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +27
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +14
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
• Plus/Minus: +7
  

Stay classy, Jacksonville:

27. (26) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 27-24 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 6-6
  
• My predicted record: 11-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-7
• 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: -43
  
• Plus/Minus: EVEN

The first time that I can recall any team being even on the year, but I never would've expected it from the defending champion Steelers—apparently suffering from a Super Bowl slumber.

28. (28) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 19-13 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 6-6
• My predicted record: 6-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
  
• Plus/Minus: -1
  

Ignore the 6-6 record, the Jets are No. 1 dammit.

29. (28) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 23-18 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 5-7
• My predicted record: 6-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +17
• Points scored for me with losses: +17
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -16
  
• Plus/Minus: -2
  

As most of could have probably guessed, Gary Kubiak's seat is starting to heat up quite a bit.

30. (31) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 44-13 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 8-4
• My predicted record: 8-4
• My record at predicting their record: 6-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -19
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: -3
  

The loss of Ryan Harris hurts the Broncos on the offensive line.

31. (30) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Minnesota, 30-17 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 8-4
• My predicted record: 5-7
• My record at predicting their record: 5-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +6
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -33
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
• Plus/Minus: -21
  

Who you calling a "finesse team," motherfucker?

32. (32) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 23-13 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 9-3
• My predicted record: 6-6
• My record at predicting their record: 3-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: -28
• Plus/Minus: -25
  

The Bengals are so close to getting out of this spot ... oh, so close! Still, no link for you!

And here's how the games have been going for me, by point value, this season:

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