Week Three Power Rankings: The Shortshank Redemption

The Dolphins are no longer undefeated when they bust out those orange jerseys, but that Sunday night loss didn't matter for me when it came to the PoolHost confidence pool last weekend. Unlike last year's Miami-New York game that earned me my first top finish of the season, most participants in the pool picked the Fins this year. The outcome of that game (and Monday's) was a moot point by the time that game kicked off, thanks to two huge missed field goals that afternoon and 94 points proved to be just enough in the big pool this week.

Indeed, I'd have to say that the two biggest outcomes that secured my own victory with my picks this past weekend were the Atlanta Falcons knocking off the defending Super Bowl Champions in overtime thanks, in part, to Garrett Hartley missing a 29-yarder in overtime. Only one other person picked Atlanta and many people had the Saints for double-digits. Additionally, my fate would have been much different had Sebastian Janikowski—the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, for the record—not shanked a 32-yard attempt as time expired in Arizona. More than a few others who were close at the time had Oakland, but my seemingly foolish gamble of eight points on the Cards paid off.

Of course, the hometown Bears knocking off the Packers did cost me a top finish in the Yahoo pool, so unlike last year, it appears that winning one pool doesn't necessarily mean I win both. Still, a win's a win, and it's a huge relief to have my first victory only three weeks into this young season.

While three people failed to get picks in this week, it sure is fun to end up coming out on top of the one-point margin of victory with 17 participants this week:

With the top finish, I moved from seventh up to third on the year. Additionally, I've cut my deficit to only 13 points:

Now like I said, the Bears win cost me in the Yahoo confidence pool and I ended up losing by a single point. And while I finished second, there was also some forgetfulness about getting picks in already occurring over there too this week:

Unfortunately, that second place finish also increased my deficit in that pool by a point, but I did move up in the overall standings to second place:

Once again, I was 9-7—although who's really going to complain when that's good enough for a first place finish? Still, it's on the lower end of the middle of last week's pack of results. ESPN's Chris Mortensen had the best week at 13-3, followed closely by Yahoo's Michael Silver, who went 12-4. The bro-in-law and Les Carpenter were right behind with 11-5 sets of picks. Eric Allen, Mike Golic, Mark Schlereth, and Jason Cole all went 10-6, while Merrill Hoge had the same 9-7 mark as myself. Adam Schefter and CBS Sports' Pete Prisco both broke even at 8-8, while Seth Wickersham once again brought up the rear at 7-9.

Oh, and Ron Jaworski supposedly only went 9-6, although earlier in the week, it sure did look like he was on record for a pick that would have made him 9-7:

Of course, Mortensen's pick changed as well, so I guess I can't officially hold it against Jaws—although I'm sure I'll refer to this in my snide remarks for the rest of the season.

But anyway, as for how everybody's doing on the year (with the number in parentheses denoting where so-and-so ranked last week):

1. (1) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 33-15 (.688)
2. (4) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 32-16 (.667)
3. (4) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 30-18 (.625)
3. (2) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 30-18 (.625)
3. (4) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 30-18 (.625)
6. (3) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 27-17 (.614)
7. (10) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 29-19 (.604)
8. (4) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 28-20 (.583) 
8. (4) YOURS TRULY: 28-20 (.583)
10. (12) Mike Golic, ESPN: 26-22 (.542)
10. (9) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 26-22 (.542)
12. (14) Eric Allen, ESPN: 25-23 (.521)

12. (10) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 25-23 (.521)
14. (12) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 23-25 (.479)

It's just simple coincidence that Chris Mortensen's percentage is now a repeating 666, of course.

Anyway, on to the Power Rankings for the year where we have a new No. 1:

1. (2) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 38-30 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +41
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +41
  

2. (1) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 24-10 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +40
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +40

3. (3) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 24-23 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +9
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +30

4. (5) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 24-23 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +23
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +29

5. (9) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 28-3 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +23
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +28

6. (10) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 28-3 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +26
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +27
  

7. (11) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 38-30 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 3-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +27
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -3
• Plus/Minus: +24

8. (7) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 27-24 [OT] (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +20
• Points scored for me with losses: +1
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +21
  

9. (3) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Lost to Tennessee, 29-10 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +12
• Points scored for me with losses: +10
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -3
• Plus/Minus: +19
  

10. (13) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 20-7 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +11
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +17
  

10. (5) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 20-17 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 3-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
  
• Plus/Minus: +17
  

12. (16) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 27-13 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 3-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +22
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
  
• Plus/Minus: +16

13. (18) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 27-13 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +15

14. (21) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 24-17 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 3-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
• Plus/Minus: +14

14. (16) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 20-7 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +22
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +14

16. (24) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 24-17 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +15
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +10

17. (13) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat New Orleans, 27-24 [OT] (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 3-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
• Plus/Minus: +8

18. (28) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 24-10 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
• Plus/Minus: +7
  

19. (8) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 30-16 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +6

20. (11) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Beat New York Giants, 29-10 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +5

21. (15) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to Kansas City, 31-10 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: -1
  

21. (18) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 20-17 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 3-0
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -15
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -1

23. (29) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 38-13 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 3-0
  
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +7
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -2

23. (20) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 31-23 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +3
  
• Points taken from me with wins:-5
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -2

25. (30) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 38-13 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -5
  

26. (21) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to Dallas, 27-13 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +5
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: -6
  

27. (24) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 31-23 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -14
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
  
• Plus/Minus: -7
  

28. (21) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 27-20 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 3-0
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -25
• Plus/Minus: -10
  

29. (27) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 27-20 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -15

30. (24) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to St. Louis, 30-16 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -10
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: -18

31. (31) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 31-10 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 3-0
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 0-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -23
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -23

32. (32) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 27-13 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 0-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
  
• Plus/Minus: -26

Now as for how I'm doing by individual spots on the scale for the year, I'm still winless in that darned 4-point slot. But I'm still perfect thus far in the 15 and 12-point spots:

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