Week 15 Power Rankings

Let's get these sour grapes out of here first: Many of the dogs on my fantasy football team had season-best weeks and would've earned me 125 points, only one point lower than the highest-scoring team in the league for Week 15. The only problem, of course, is I wasn't in the playoffs or the consolation bracket, but that gives you an idea of the kind of luck I had over in that endeavor this year.

On the other hand, my confidence pools continue to go fairly well. I was a pretty meager 10-6 last week on my picks, which was good for 90 points. In the main pool I'm in, that was good for third place (out of nine or 11, depending on how you're looking at—oh, never mind ...) for the week, while in the Yahoo pool I'm in, it was good for fourth place (out of eight).

On the year, I'm at 148-76 (.661) in my actual picks and my total of 1329 points keeps in second in both pools and moved me even closer to first with two weeks remaining. In the main pool, I trail first place by 11 points and in the Yahoo pool, the deficit is 16 points.

Adam Schefter from the ESPN gang was 11-5 last week, so he was the big winner for the week. My 10-6 mark was matched by the bro-in-law, Chris Mortensen, Merrill Hoge, Eric Allen, and Yahoo's Jason Cole. Mike Golic, Charles Robinson, and Seth Wickersham all finished at 9-7, while Mark Schlereth and CBS Sports' Pete Prisco both went 8-8. Technically, Michael Silver had the worst score at 7-9, but Ron Jaworski deserves special mention for only getting the same number right with his 7-8. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt that he could have gone .500 by picking the Giants, but considering three others on ESPN picked the Skins, I guess we'll never know.

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

1. (1) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 152-72 (.679)
1. (2) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 152-72 (.679)
3. (3) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 151-73 (.674)

4. (3) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 150-74 (.670)
5. (5) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 149-75 (.665)

6. (6) YOURS TRULY: 148-76 (.661)

6. (10) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 148-76 (.661)

8. (10) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 147-77 (.656)

9. (8) Mike Golic, ESPN: 146-77 (.655)

10. (6) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 146-78 (.652)

11. (12) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 145-79 (.647)

11. (13) Eric Allen, ESPN: 145-79 (.647)

13. (9) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 135-74 (.646)

14. (14) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 138-86 (.616)

With a 10-6 week, there's obviously going to be a number of shake-ups in the Power Rankings, with perhaps the notable being the second straight week with a new cellar-dweller (!). Can you guess which team is now the worst for me? (Hint: I'm not terribly mad at them this week because they did earn a somewhat crucial win for me in Week 15 that cost other people points.) I'll let the suspense build:

1. (1) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 16-13 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 1-13
• My predicted record: 0-14
• My record at predicting their record: 13-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +154
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +148
  

As Bryan Burwell pointed out, most of St. Louis probably didn't get to see how close the Rams came to upsetting the Texans, but there were a number of positives to be taken away from last weekend—the most obvious being that now being the only single-win team in the league would give them the first pick in the NFL draft that I'm sure ESPN has already begun planning how to overhype.

2. (3) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 31-24 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 2-12
• My predicted record: 2-12
• My record at predicting their record: 12-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +147
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
  
• Plus/Minus: +139
  

Detroit moves closer to reclaiming the top spot they had in the Power Rankings last year, and much like St. Louis, they nearly pulled off what would have been an even more astounding upset against Arizona, but instead the loss coupled with those Tampa Bay and Cleveland wins now also equates to a higher draft pick. (I'm sensing a theme here, no?)

3. (2) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 24-7 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 2-12
• My predicted record: 0-14
• My record at predicting their record: 12-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +138
• Points taken from me with wins: -22
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +116
  

If you want to keep going with the draft thing, then Tampa's got an interest in the outcome of that Lions-Bears matchup for Week 17, but I'm already sick of talking about the draft and would rather scoff at the idea of the Bucs' victory over the Seahawks last weekend making them "Road Warriors" and recalling some turnaround for the franchise.

4. (4) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Lost to Dallas, 24-17 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 13-1
• My predicted record: 11-3
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +115
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
  
• Plus/Minus: +102
  

Yeah, so the perfect season fantasy came crashing down last weekend, but that kind of takes a back seat to the news that we now know who the man is, and his name is Bill Harris. We can all sleep peacefully now, I would hope.

5. (6) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 35-31 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 14-0
• My predicted record: 12-2
• My record at predicting their record: 12-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +106
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +102
  

Unlike N'awlins, the Colts did escape and remain intact. While I can still see them surviving the next two weeks, I'm not touting their chances as much as I was when the Pats ran the regular season table in 2007. Of course, Indy still has to survive a couple more weeks of wondering if going for 16-0 is really even worth it.

6. (5) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 41-34 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-11
• My predicted record: 0-14
• My record at predicting their record: 11-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +122
• Points taken from me with wins: -25
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +97

Welcome Mike Holmgren to Ohio, but did you guys remember to interview a colored fella?

7. (8) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 27-24 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 11-3
• My predicted record: 9-5
• My record at predicting their record: 12-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +85
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +92
  

Maybe Christmas spirit will help when the Bolts go to Tennessee this week, but the last time the two teams met resulted in $32,500 in fines.

8. (9) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 45-12 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 4-10
• My predicted record: 6-8
• My record at predicting their record: 11-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +29
• Points scored for me with losses: +80
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: +85
  

Worst. Trick play. Ever.

9. (7) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Tampa Bay, 24-7 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 5-9
• My predicted record: 8-6
• My record at predicting their record: 11-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +36
• Points scored for me with losses: +61
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -16
  
• Plus/Minus: +81

Yeah, so the Seahawks lost to a one-win team, but that doesn't mean they're "dirtbags."

10. (10) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 10-7 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
• My predicted record: 6-8
• My record at predicting their record: 11-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
• Points scored for me with losses: +46
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +76
  

With the playoff out of the question, the Falcons still have one semi-respectable goal in trying to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. (I think they'll do it, for the record.)

11. (11) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Lost to Carolina, 26-7 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 11-3
• My predicted record: 11-3
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +89
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -20
• Plus/Minus: +65
  

This woman would like to report some abuse:

12. (12) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Cleveland, 41-34 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-11
• My predicted record: 3-11
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +89
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -21
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: +64
  

Jason Whitlock wants to know what the justification would be for bringing back Todd Haley. (I've got nothin'.)

13. (15) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 31-7 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 5-9
• My predicted record: 9-5
• My record at predicting their record: 8-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +46
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +34
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
  
• Plus/Minus: +60
  

I don't recall them ever being up this high in my rankings and while their 5-9 record is surely a disappointment, I can still get a kick out of Jay Cutler's 25 excuses for his 25 picks.

14. (13) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Beat Minnesota, 26-7 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 6-8
• My predicted record: 5-9
• My record at predicting their record: 9-5
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +29
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +60
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +55

"This is why I feed my family. This is why I grew up on the B." Yeah, thanks for waiting until my fantasy season was over to show up, asswipe.

14. (16) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 17-10 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 9-5
• My predicted record: 13-1
• My record at predicting their record: 8-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +89
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -31
• Plus/Minus: +55

Rand Moss, humble as ever, reminds reporters that you can put the Earth on his shoulders.

16. (18) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 31-7 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 8-6
  
• My predicted record: 10-4
• My record at predicting their record: 8-6
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +71
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
• Plus/Minus: +54

I can respect those who believe the Ravens are peaking at the right time, but they're still not as high on my wish list for the playoff pool as they were last year.

17. (17) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 17-10 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 5-9
• My predicted record: 3-11
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +71
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +53
  

MJD argues that Brett Favre should be try to be more like ... Terrell Owens?

17. (20) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 27-23 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 10-4
• My predicted record: 10-4
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +69
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +9
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: +53
  

With Philly in front in the East, what could be better? How about getting Brian Westbrook back?

19. (14) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Beat New Orleans, 24-17 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 9-5
• My predicted record: 9-5
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +70
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -15
  
• Plus/Minus: +51

If this year-end scenario in Dallas seems familiar, that's probably because it's the same situation they were in through 14 games last year (and I think we know that ended up).

20. (21) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 27-24 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
• My predicted record: 8-6
• My record at predicting their record: 9-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +34
• Points scored for me with losses: +36
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +41

It's amazing that the Titans have recovered from an 0-6 start to actually be one of the six teams still alive just outside of the playoffs, but it's going to be hard to have a happy ending now that Tennessee's lost two starting linebackers.

21. (24) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 27-13 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 6-8
• My predicted record: 2-12
• My record at predicting their record: 8-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +48
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -19
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +33
  

Enjoy those Niners while they're still in San Francisco; it's no certainty that the city can keep them there.

22. (22) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 45-12 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 8-6
• My predicted record: 13-1
• My record at predicting their record: 7-7
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +66
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -30
• Plus/Minus: +30
  

The New York media ate up Brandon Jacobs' punch he threw in Monday's dismantling of the Redskins while the rest of us are left to wonder how a flag wasn't thrown for it.

23. (22) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 37-36 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 9-5
• My predicted record: 10-4
• My record at predicting their record: 9-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +62
• Points scored for me with losses: +6
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: -31
  
• Plus/Minus: +27
  

"I believe it's the longest I've ever seen two people hold their faces that close together without either fighting or french kissing."

24. (19) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 20-19 (-15)
  
• Actual Record: 5-9
• My predicted record: 1-13
• My record at predicting their record: 10-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +73
• Points taken from me with wins: -51
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +26
  

It took three QBs to get the job done, but the Raiders once again cost me big points—all while nearly losing their pants:

25. (28) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 16-13 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
• My predicted record: 8-6
• My record at predicting their record: 9-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
• Points scored for me with losses: +17
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -16
  
• Plus/Minus: +21
  

I originally had Houston finally making the playoffs this year, but have since reconsidered. One look at their tie-breaker situation should give you an idea of just how unlikely it is. At this rate, they'll be fortunate to finish 8-8 one more time.

26. (25) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to Tennessee, 27-24 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
• My predicted record: 5-9
• My record at predicting their record: 8-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
• Points scored for me with losses: +30
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -16
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
  
• Plus/Minus: +19
  

I had the Fins getting a playoff berth in my seeding predictions last week, but the loss to Tennessee will certainly make it difficult.

27. (29) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Indianaplois, 35-31 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
• My predicted record: 8-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +27
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +21
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: -12
• Plus/Minus: +12
  

Sounds like this year it'll be the same thing that always comes between the Jags and the Super Bowl: the New England Patriots.

28. (26) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 10-7 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
• My predicted record: 8-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +28
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: -23
  
• Plus/Minus: +7
  

If the first thing that needs to happen in order for your team to make the playoffs is "Beat Indianapolis," then you're probably not going to make the playoffs.

29. (27) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 20-19 (-15)
  
• Actual Record: 8-6
• My predicted record: 9-5
• My record at predicting their record: 7-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +16
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -19
• Points taken from me with losses: -29
  
• Plus/Minus: -7
  

There had been so much hype surrounding Chad Ochocinco possibly wearing Chris Henry's jersey number on Sunday, how messed up would it be if instead it's Brandon Marshall that gets the fine for doing that in warm-ups?.

30. (31) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 27-24 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 9-5
• My predicted record: 6-8
• My record at predicting their record: 5-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +40
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +16
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: -28
• Plus/Minus: -9
  

Even with a playoff berth, the Bengals still have 3,000 seats left and blackout concerns for their regular season home finale (it is against the Chiefs, I guess).

31. (32) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 31-24 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 9-5
• My predicted record: 7-7
• My record at predicting their record: 6-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +37
• Points scored for me with losses: +6
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -33
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: -11

I had obviously been expecting them to falter this year after having a victory snatched away from them in last year's Super Bowl, but lo and behold, the NFC West is still terrible and that means the Cards get back into the playoffs once again.

32. (30) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 37-36 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 7-7
  
• My predicted record: 13-1
• My record at predicting their record: 6-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +45
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -58
  
• Plus/Minus: -14

And ironically, here's the other team from last year's Super Bowl, also going against my expectations. With Baltimore and Miami left on the schedule, I can't say that they're going to get high enough bets out of me to finish in the positive for the year, which is kind of stunning.

Only two spots on the list are going to end up as losing records, but there's still three spots that could go either way:

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

Playoff seeding predictions (numbers in parentheses indicates where I had them ranked last week [boldface indicates team has clinched playoff berth, italics indicates team is locked in at seed listed]):

AFC
#1 (1) Indianapolis Colts
#2 (2) San Diego Chargers
#3 (4) New England Patriots

#4 (3) Cincinnati Bengals
#5 (5) Denver Broncos
#6 (6) Miami Dolphins

NFC
#1 (1) New Orleans Saints
#2 (3) Philadelphia Eagles

#3 (2) Minnesota Vikings
#4 (4) Arizona Cardinals
#5 (5) Green Bay Packers
#6 (6) New York Giants