Week Seven Power Rankings: I guess I should doubt myself more often

As usual, I was working Sunday afternoon and my momentary glimpses of the television screens only allowed me to catch scores where it appeared that most games wouldn't be going my way. Since the hometown Bears were the main attraction, DeAngelo Hall's Hall of Fame performance what I had to go on.

Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to learn I was in the lead in both confidence pools heading into Monday night, but unfortunately, I was going to need a Dallas victory—despite the fact that I had a point on the Giants—to secure a first place finish.

And then, of course, this happened.

So, the 75 points I earned last week with my picks ultimately made my fretting look somewhat silly.
Like I said, the Giants victory pushed me into second place in the PoolHost contest, which is still an improvement over last week:

Fortunately, the girl who finished ahead of me was not one of those ahead of me in the overall standings, so I moved up to second place on the year and am now 14 points out of the lead for the season:

While I had to settle for second in one pool, I did manage to finish first over in the Yahoo pool—meaning I've now got one top finish in both:

And coincidentally, I'm also in second place in the Yahoo confidence pool and my deficit there is also 14 points:

My 10-4 finish put me among the upper echelon of last week's picks with Mike Golic from ESPN as well as Les Carpenter and Michael Silver from Yahoo also having the same scores. Jason Cole, Chris Mortensen, and Mark Schlereth were right behind at 9-5, while Seth Wickersham and Eric Allen both went 8-6. Pete Prisco from CBS Sports broke even at 7-7, and I'll assume Ron Jaworski probably would have too had he picked Monday night's game but instead he went 7-6. Bringing up the rear were Merrill Hoge and Adam Schefter at 6-8.

Bro-in-law, unfortunately, didn't post any picks last weekend, so I've had to remove him from the standings for the year:

1. (1) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 66-38 (.635)
1. (1) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 66-38 (.635)
3. (3) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 64-40 (.615)
4. (5) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 62-42 (.596)
4. (5) Mike Golic, ESPN: 62-42 (.596)
4. (5) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 62-42 (.596) 
4. (5) YOURS TRULY: 62-42 (.596)
8. (4) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 57-39 (.594)
9. (10) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 56-48 (.538)
10. (11) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 55-49 (.529)
10. (12) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 55-49 (.529)
12. (12) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 54-50 (.519)
13. (14) Eric Allen, ESPN: 50-54 (.481)

As for the Power Rankings, I've now got three-quarters of the league in the positive:

1. (1) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 1-5
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 6-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins:+1
• Points scored for me with losses: +68
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +69

2. (2) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 24-20 [OT] (+14)
• Actual Record: 0-6
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +64
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
• Plus/Minus: +62
  

3. (6) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 22-10 (+9)
• Actual Record: 3-3
• My predicted record: 2-4
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +28
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +38

4. (13) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 37-34 [OT] (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 5-2
• My predicted record: 6-1
• My record at predicting their record: 4-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +45
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +36

5. (12) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Kansas City, 42-20 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 3-4
• My predicted record: 1-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +48
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -14
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +35
  

6. (15) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 39-32 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 5-2
• My predicted record: 7-0
• My record at predicting their record: 5-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +36
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
• Plus/Minus: +32

7. (3) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 23-20 (-3)
• Actual Record: 1-5
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +42
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +31

8. (13) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Tennessee, 37-19 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 4-3
• My predicted record: 4-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +26
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
• Points taken from me with wins: -2
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +29

9. (16) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 28-24 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 2-4
• My predicted record: 3-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
• Points scored for me with losses: +24
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
• Plus/Minus: +28
  

10. (9) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 23-20 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 5-1
• My predicted record: 5-1
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +31
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -3
• Plus/Minus: +27

11. (19) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Minnesota, 28-24 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 4-3
• My predicted record: 7-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +43
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
  
• Plus/Minus: +26

12. (11) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 41-35 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 5-2
• My predicted record: 4-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +27
• Points scored for me with losses: +10
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -3
• Plus/Minus: +25
  

12. (9) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 5-1
• My predicted record: 3-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +27
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +25

14. (4) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 59-14 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 2-5
• My predicted record: 2-5
• My record at predicting their record: 5-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +35
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +21

15. (5) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 59-14 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-4
• My predicted record: 1-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +6
• Points scored for me with losses: +38
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +20

16. (18) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 6-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +37
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
  
• Plus/Minus: +19

17. (16) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to Carolina, 23-20 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 1-6
• My predicted record: 4-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +7
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +27
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
  
• Plus/Minus: +17
  

17. (21) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 39-32 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 2-4
• My predicted record: 2-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +23
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -12
• Plus/Minus: +17
  

19. (7) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Beat New Orleans, 30-17 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 2-5
• My predicted record: 3-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
• Points scored for me with losses: +32
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +15

20. (8) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Lost to Cleveland, 30-17 (-13)
  
• Actual Record: 4-3
• My predicted record: 6-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +36
• Points scored for me with losses: +1
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
  
• Plus/Minus: +13
  

20. (20) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 23-22 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 5-1
• My predicted record: 4-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +26
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
  
• Plus/Minus: +13

22. (23) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 37-19 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 5-2
• My predicted record: 5-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +32
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: +8

23. (24) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 42-20 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +12
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +16
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -23
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +5

24. (22) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 5-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +19
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
  
• Plus/Minus: +2
  

25. (25) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Tampa Bay, 18-17 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 3-4
• My predicted record: 0-7
• My record at predicting their record: 4-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +25
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -4

26. (27) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 23-22 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 3-3
• My predicted record: 2-4
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
• Points scored for me with losses: +8
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -22
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
  
• Plus/Minus: -7

27. (28) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 18-17 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 1-5
• My record at predicting their record: 3-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +5
• Points scored for me with losses: +10
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: -9
  

28. (25) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 17-14 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 4-3
• My predicted record: 5-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -15
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: -13

29. (32) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 22-10 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 4-2
• My predicted record: 2-4
• My record at predicting their record: 2-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: -23

29. (30) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 23-20 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-5
• My predicted record: 6-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -50
• Plus/Minus: -23
  

31. (29) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 17-14 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 4-3
• My predicted record: 1-6
• My record at predicting their record: 2-5
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +10
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
• Plus/Minus: -29

31. (31) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 41-35 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-5
• My predicted record: 3-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-4
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -29
• Plus/Minus: -29

After seven weeks, it's 11 winning spots to five sub-.500 ones:

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