Week Four Power Rankings: Staying true to my word

With my favorite baseball team having just clinched their first post-season berth in half a decade and my favorite football team playing that night on national television, there I was wearing that Browns sweatshirt you see there to the left. Why? Well, because that's what I promised I'd do if Cleveland delivered in my one real upset in my picks last weekend.

And while that did indeed happen, it's hard to boast too much about that call since two of those other three upsets I said I was debating picking (Washington and St. Louis) but chickened out of going with happened as well. I guess the bright side would be that Houston didn't fail me, and that was the possible upset I had placed the most points on.

Still, the end result was a pretty pathetic 68 points for the week. And really, I don't think wearing any Bears apparel would've helped my Chicago team anyway with the way their offensive line was watching Giants run right by them and force the Bears to bring in their third-string QB.

But hey, maybe the trauma inflicted this past weekend on Jay Cutler's brain will give me a new item to wear in coming weeks, no?
Out of 18 participants in the PoolHost confidence pool, I wound up in 13th:

But the bright spot, of course, would be that the overall leader finished at the bottom for the week and while my standing for the year didn't changed, the deficit was reduced a single point to only a dozen now:

And amazingly (or perhaps, pathetically) enough, my score was actually good enough for third out of the seven participants in the Yahoo pool last weekend:

The bad news would be that in this pool, the deficit once again increased now, this week now being at 22 points out of first place—although I do remain in second place:

I once again had two more picks right than I had wrong, going 8-6 for the week. And that was once again on the lower end of the performance for the week as Les Carpenter from Yahoo was the best of the bunch at 11-3. Michael Silver as well as ESPN's Seth Wickersham and Adam Schefter were right behind with 10-4 records, while Mike Golic and Chris Mortensen went 9-5. Ron Jaworski also had nine right, but only four wrong because ... well, you know his deal. Merrill Hoge, Mark Schlereth and Pete Prisco from CBS Sports shared my 8-6 mark, while the bro-in-law, Jason Cole, and Eric Allen all brought up the rear by going 7-7.

Now as with regards to performances for the year (with the number in parentheses still denoting where each dude ranked last week):

1. (3) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 41-21 (.661)

1. (2) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 41-21 (.661)

3. (1) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 40-22 (.645)

4. (6) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 36-21 (.632)
5. (7) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 39-23 (.629)
6. (3) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 38-24 (.613)
7. (3) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 37-25 (.597)
8. (8) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 36-26 (.581) 
8. (8) YOURS TRULY: 36-26 (.581)
10. (10) Mike Golic, ESPN: 35-27 (.565)
10. (12) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 35-27 (.565)
12. (10) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 34-28 (.548)
13. (14) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 33-29 (.532)
14. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 32-30 (.516)

In the Power Rankings, it's looking like we could have a real back-and-forth for the top spot. And there's now 22 teams in the positive as opposed to 20 last week:

1. (2) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 28-26 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +54
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +54

2. (1) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 38-14 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +50
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +50
  

3. (3) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 41-10 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +40

4. (4) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 31-24 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +31
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +37

5. (8) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 16-14 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +33
• Points scored for me with losses: +1
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +34
  

6. (10) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 28-26 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
  
• Plus/Minus: +31
  

7. (14) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 16-14 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +35
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +27

8. (7) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 41-14 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +29
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -3
• Plus/Minus: +26

9. (5) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 17-12 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• 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: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +21

10. (17) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 16-14 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• 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: -2
• Plus/Minus: +19

11. (10) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Cleveland, 23-20 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +18
  

12. (9) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 17-3 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +12
• Points scored for me with losses: +10
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -3
• Plus/Minus: +16
  

13. (6) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat Indianapolis, 31-28 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +26
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +15
  

14. (16) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 23-20 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
• Points scored for me with losses: +15
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +11

15. (14) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Pittsburgh, 17-14 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
• Plus/Minus: +10

15. (21) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 16-14 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +24
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: +10
  

17. (13) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 26-20 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +9

18. (18) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: BYE
  
• 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
  

18. (23) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 38-14 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +7

20. (12) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 31-28 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• 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: -18
  
• Plus/Minus: +4

21. (26) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 31-24 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +13
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: +2
  

22. (19) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 20-3 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +1

23. (28) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 41-10 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -25
• Plus/Minus: EVEN
  

24. (20) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 26-20 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• 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: -13
• Plus/Minus: -1

25. (21) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 17-3 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• 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: -3
  
• Plus/Minus: -4

26. (25) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: BYE
  
• 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. (27) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 41-14 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -14
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
  
• Plus/Minus: -5
  

28. (23) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 17-14 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• 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: -4
  
• Plus/Minus: -6

29. (29) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to St. Louis, 20-3 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• 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: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: -20

30. (31) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: BYE
  
• 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

31. (30) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 17-12 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -17
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: -25

32. (32) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: BYE
  
• 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

On the year, I'm only undefeated in the 15-point spot (where there wasn't a game last week, of course) and still searching for my first correct call on a 4-pointer:

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