Final Thoughts on 2009 NFL Season

It's unfortunate that the final score won't really reflect what a terrific game it was, but hopefully this video's safe where you can watch the entire thing in 14 minutes. I was stepping outside and actually the rounded the corner when the bar erupted after that critical interception, and the Saints winning it really made me enjoy the game all that much more. It's satisfying to get another underdog that emerges successful on a big stage.

I realize now that this is going to be my 45th post this year about the 2009 NFL season, and that's pretty remarkable because that tag got applied to more posts in one year than the total number for how many times I've whined about jobs or girls as long as I've had this here blog up. So I'll take that as a good thing.

My regular season performance in predictions is best summed up in the final Power Rankings for the year (the same numbers that would've gone 8-3 in these playoffs, by the way), and I do indeed plan to have a post created better explaining that numbers process before next season begins. Again, all of my playoff picks were based on my gut for the most part, although you'd be forgiven for assuming I was trying to get as many wrong as possibly after missing my first six games.

And while this year's playoffs were my worst showing in as long as I've put picks up here on BMC, I'll obviously take being perfect in those last two weekends to not end up in the cellar. Only two other dudes went out on a limb with New Orleans and as a result, here's how everybody ended up (colors obviously reflective of winning/losing Super Bowl Pick):

1. (1) Eric Allen, ESPN: 8-3
2. (1) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 7-4
2. (1) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 7-4
4. (4) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 6-5
4. (4) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 6-5
4. (4) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 6-5
7. (7) Brian Burke, The Fifth Down: 5-6
7. (7) Merrill Hoge, ESPN: 5-6
7. (7) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 5-6
7. (7) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 5-6
7. (7) Pro Football Weekly Editors: 5-6
7. (7) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 5-6
7. (7) Wunderdog: 5-6
7. (14) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 5-6
15. (14) Mike Golic, ESPN: 4-7
15. (16) YOURS TRULY: 4-7
17. (16) James C. Black, Yahoo: 3-8
17. (16) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 3-8

Now, that's kind of that for this year. But one final list I need to post here for my own purposes (and who knows ... maybe you'll be interested too) is my total Power Rankings for the past two seasons combined. Now, unfortunately my recording how I actually did at picking a team was something I only kept track of this season, so please excuse that discrepancy. But most every other category is legit and will certainly be used in the very first week of games for 2010:

1. ST. LOUIS RAMS

• WIN/LOSE: 0/+319

• Actual Record: 3-29
• My predicted record: 0-32
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 15-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +347
• Points taken from me with wins: -28
• Points taken from me with losses: 0

• Plus/Minus: +319
  

2. DETROIT LIONS

• WIN/LOSE: -13/+327

• Actual Record: 2-30
• My predicted record: 7-25
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 14-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +335
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -19

• Plus/Minus: +314
  

3. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• WIN/LOSE: +186/-7

• Actual Record: 26-6
• My predicted record: 28-4
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 12-4
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +221
• Points scored for me with losses: +3
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: -35

• Plus/Minus: +179
  

4. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• WIN/LOSE: +24/+149

• Actual Record: 9-23
• My predicted record: 13-19
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 13-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +53
• Points scored for me with losses: +173
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: -29

• Plus/Minus: +173

5. BALTIMORE RAVENS

• WIN/LOSE: +142/+18

• Actual Record: 20-12
  
• My predicted record: 20-12
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 10-6
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +164
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +38
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
• Points taken from me with losses: -22

• Plus/Minus: +160

6. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• WIN/LOSE: +28/+120

• Actual Record: 12-20
• My predicted record: 11-21
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 13-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +61
• Points scored for me with losses: +167
• Points taken from me with wins: -47
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -33

• Plus/Minus: +148

7. (5) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• WIN/LOSE: +126/+21

• Actual Record: 21-11
• My predicted record: 19-13
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 14-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +140
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +39
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -14

• Plus/Minus: +147
  

8. CLEVELAND BROWNS

• WIN/LOSE: -12/+158

• Actual Record: 9-23
• My predicted record: 5-27
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +213
• Points taken from me with wins: -55
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -16

• Plus/Minus: +146

9. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• WIN/LOSE: -19/+150

• Actual Record: 6-26
• My predicted record: 6-26
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 11-5
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +204
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -54
• Points taken from me with losses: -20

• Plus/Minus: +131
  

9. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• WIN/LOSE: +53/+78

• Actual Record: 15-17
• My predicted record: 8-24
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +70
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +128
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -50
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17

• Plus/Minus: +131
  

11. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• WIN/LOSE: +120/+1

• Actual Record: 21-11
• My predicted record: 27-5
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +175
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +11
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
• Points taken from me with losses: -55

• Plus/Minus: +121

12. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• WIN/LOSE: +103/+17

• Actual Record: 21-11
• My predicted record: 19-13
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 10-6
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +150
• Points scored for me with losses: +34
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: -47

• Plus/Minus: +120

13. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• WIN/LOSE: +115/+3

• Actual Record: 22-10
• My predicted record: 20-12
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 11-5
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +144
• Points scored for me with losses: +40
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: -29

• Plus/Minus: +118

13. NEW YORK GIANTS

• WIN/LOSE: +122/-4

• Actual Record: 20-12
• My predicted record: 28-4
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 8-8
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +205
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -83

• Plus/Minus: +118
  

15. WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• WIN/LOSE: +14/+99

• Actual Record: 12-20
• My predicted record: 15-17
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 13-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +66
• Points scored for me with losses: +141
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -42
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -52

• Plus/Minus: +113
  

16. CAROLINA PANTHERS

• WIN/LOSE: +90/+13

• Actual Record: 20-12
• My predicted record: 17-15
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 9-7
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +119
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +64
• Points taken from me with wins: -51
• Points taken from me with losses: -29

• Plus/Minus: +103

17. ATLANTA FALCONS

• WIN/LOSE: +74/+23

• Actual Record: 20-12
• My predicted record: 16-16
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 13-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +95
• Points scored for me with losses: +65
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -42
• Points taken from me with losses: -21

• Plus/Minus: +97
  

18. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• WIN/LOSE: +80/+11

• Actual Record: 20-11-1
• My predicted record: 18-14
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +125
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +38
• Points taken from me with wins: -27
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -45

• Plus/Minus: +91
  

18. TENNESSEE TITANS

• WIN/LOSE: +76/+15

• Actual Record: 21-11
• My predicted record: 17-15
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +115
• Points scored for me with losses: +46
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -31
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -39

• Plus/Minus: +91

20. ARIZONA CARDINALS

• WIN/LOSE: +85/+4

• Actual Record: 19-13
• My predicted record: 16-16
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +112
• Points scored for me with losses: +55
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -51
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -27

• Plus/Minus: +89

21. DALLAS COWBOYS

• WIN/LOSE: +84/+3

• Actual Record: 20-12
• My predicted record: 21-11
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +132
• Points scored for me with losses: +34
• Points taken from me with wins: -31
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -48

• Plus/Minus: +87

22. CHICAGO BEARS

• WIN/LOSE: +58/+27

• Actual Record: 16-16
• My predicted record: 23-9
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +106
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +46
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -19
• Points taken from me with losses: -48

• Plus/Minus: +85

22. MIAMI DOLPHINS

• WIN/LOSE: +70/+15

• Actual Record: 18-14
• My predicted record: 14-18
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +87
• Points scored for me with losses: +63
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -48
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17

• Plus/Minus: +85
  

24. OAKLAND RAIDERS

• WIN/LOSE: 0/+71

• Actual Record: 10-22
• My predicted record: 2-30
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +4
• Points scored for me with losses: +184
• Points taken from me with wins: -113
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -4

• Plus/Minus: +71
  

25. HOUSTON TEXANS

• WIN/LOSE: +44/+22

• Actual Record: 17-15
• My predicted record: 16-16
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +75
• Points scored for me with losses: +65
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -43
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -31

• Plus/Minus: +66
  

26. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• WIN/LOSE: +74/-9

• Actual Record: 21-11
  
• My predicted record: 29-3
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +146
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -72

• Plus/Minus: +65

27. CINCINNATI BENGALS

• WIN/LOSE: +9/+52

• Actual Record: 14-17-1
• My predicted record: 11-21
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +57
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +127
• Points taken from me with wins: -75
• Points taken from me with losses: -48

• Plus/Minus: +61
  

28. GREEN BAY PACKERS

• WIN/LOSE: +44/+14

• Actual Record: 17-15
• My predicted record: 19-13
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +91
• Points scored for me with losses: +41
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -27
• Points taken from me with losses: -47

• Plus/Minus: +58
  

29. BUFFALO BILLS

• WIN/LOSE: +7/+43

• Actual Record: 13-19
• My predicted record: 10-22
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 11-5
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +43
• Points scored for me with losses: +102
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -59
• Points taken from me with losses: -36

• Plus/Minus: +50
  

30. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• WIN/LOSE: -12/+45

• Actual Record: 12-20
• My predicted record: 14-18
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +30
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +86
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -41
• Points taken from me with losses: -42

• Plus/Minus: +33
  

31. NEW YORK JETS

• WIN/LOSE: +25/-13

• Actual Record: 18-14
• My predicted record: 19-13
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +94
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +32
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -45
• Points taken from me with losses: -69

• Plus/Minus: +12
  

32. DENVER BRONCOS

• WIN/LOSE: -28/-4

• Actual Record: 16-16
• My predicted record: 22-10
• My record at predicting their record (2009): 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +60
• Points scored for me with losses: +34
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -38
• Points taken from me with losses: -88

• Plus/Minus: -32
  

And what would a Power Rankings post be without my combined records by point-value as well?:

16-point games: 16-3
15-point games: 15-6
14-point games: 25-5
13-point games: 27-7
12-point games: 28-6
11-point games: 25-9
10-point games: 28-6
9-point games: 21-13
8-point games: 20-14
7-point games: 20-14
6-point games: 19-15
5-point games: 17-17
4-point games: 23-11
3-point games: 15-19
2-point games: 19-15
1-point games: 16-18