Week 10 Power Rankings: Being a gracious loser

Week 10 got off to a somewhat rocky start with the Thursday night game being back in the mix and forcing me to commit to my picks earlier than I'd been growing accustomed to. I wish I could blame my lackluster 53 points on the scheduling change, but—as has been the story most of this NFL season—instead many people's picks suffered as the result of underdogs emerging victorious over presumptive favorites.

I suppose that my most regrettable pick, in hindsight, would be placing 11 points on the Steelers in a Sunday night game they pretty much got smacked around in, but even had I ranked it lower, I'm not sure it really would have made a difference when considering how the whole slate of games seemed to go.

Again, the best part about confidence pools as opposed to fantasy games remains that at the end of every given week, the participants can only blame themselves for how placed their bets. This past weekend left me with a number of games that I could say I should've gone the other way or should've ranked lower, but in the end, it's not all bad news.

My picks were good for an eighth place finish in the PoolHost league:

The redeeming part to last week's results, however, is that I've now moved into first place for the year in the overall standings:

The finish for the week was a bit better over in the Yahoo pool (probably because there aren't even eight people in that one, but ...):

Unfortunately, that even larger margin of defeat meant that I had to relinquish first place in the overall standings just a matter of days after overtaking it:

My decidedly "meh" record of 7-7 for the week placed me, as you might imagine, right in the middle of last week's performances from the usual "experts."

Eric Allen of ESPN finally had a big week and posted the best picks of anybody by going 10-4. Ron Jaworski also missed only four games, but he also only got nine correct. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports went 9-5 while Seth Wickersham was 8-6. Merrill Hoge, Mike Golic, and Adam Schefter as well as Michael Silver of Yahoo all shared my 7-7 mark. Mark Schlereth had a 6-8 set of picks while both Chris Mortensen and Jason Cole went 5-9. And Les Carpenter posted the worst set of picks last week by going 4-10.

So technically speaking, Jaws now overtakes the best winning percentage of the year—despite having picked 11 less games than everyone else:

1. (4) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 84-49 (.632)
2. (1) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 89-55 (.618)
2. (2) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 89-55 (.618)
4. (2) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 88-56 (.611) 
4. (5) YOURS TRULY: 88-56 (.611)
6. (7) Mike Golic, ESPN: 84-60 (.583)
6. (7) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 84-60 (.583)
8. (6) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 83-61 (.576)
9. (9) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 81-63 (.563)
10. (11) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 79-65 (.549)
11. (9) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 78-66 (.542)
12. (12) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 77-67 (.535)
13. (13) Eric Allen, ESPN: 74-70 (.514)

A 7-7 finish obviously means that just as many teams improved their scores as lowered them, but here's how the Power Rankings look now after being shaken up a bit:

1. (1) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 14-12 (+2)
• Actual Record: 1-8
• My predicted record: 2-7
• My record at predicting their record: 7-2
  
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +82
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
• Plus/Minus: +82

2. (2) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Buffalo, 14-12 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-7
• My predicted record: 1-8
• My record at predicting their record: 8-1
• Points scored for me with wins:+1
• Points scored for me with losses: +76
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +71

3. (3) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Tampa Bay, 31-16 (+13)
• Actual Record: 1-8
• My predicted record: 1-8
• My record at predicting their record: 7-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +75
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +64

4. (4) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 27-13 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-6
• My predicted record: 4-5
• My record at predicting their record: 8-1
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +38
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
• Plus/Minus: +49
  

5. (9) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 23-17 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 2-7
• My predicted record: 2-7
• My record at predicting their record: 7-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +50
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -12
• Plus/Minus: +44
  

6. (6) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Baltimore, 26-21 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 7-2
• My predicted record: 8-1
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +47
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
• Plus/Minus: +42

7. (4) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 36-18 (-5)
• Actual Record: 3-6
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +36
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +41

8. (12) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 23-17 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 9-0
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +59
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
• Plus/Minus: +40

9. (7) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 26-21 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 8-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +49
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
• Plus/Minus: +39

10. (12) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Beat Washington, 59-28 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 5-4
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +37

11. (9) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 8-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +56
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
  
• Plus/Minus: +32

11. (15) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 26-20 [OT] (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 7-2
• My predicted record: 6-3
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +41
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +32

13. (14) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 5-4
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
• Points scored for me with losses: +38
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +25

14. (20) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 23-20 [OT] (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 3-6
• My predicted record: 5-4
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +13
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +27
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
  
• Plus/Minus: +20

14. (8) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Lost to Dallas, 33-20 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 6-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +36
• Points scored for me with losses: +10
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
• Plus/Minus: +20
  

16. (11) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Pittsburgh, 39-26 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 7-2
• My predicted record: 7-2
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +42
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
• Plus/Minus: +19

17. (26) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 31-16 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +19
• Points scored for me with losses: +21
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +16
  

17. (19) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 7-2
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +48
• Points scored for me with losses: +1
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
  
• Plus/Minus: +16
  

17. (16) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 31-24 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 5-4
• My predicted record: 1-8
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +48
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -33
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +16
  

20. (24) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 26-20 [OT] (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 3-6
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
• Points scored for me with losses: +40
• Points taken from me with wins: -21
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +15

21. (17) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 23-20 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 5-4
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
• Points taken from me with wins: -23
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +11

22. (25) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 23-20 [OT] (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 4-5
• My predicted record: 1-8
• My record at predicting their record: 6-3
• Points scored for me with wins:+8
• Points scored for me with losses: +31
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +10

23. (23) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 29-17 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 5-4
• My predicted record: 6-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +32
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
• Plus/Minus: +8

23. (18) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 49-29 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-6
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +35
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -16
• Points taken from me with losses: -13
  
• Plus/Minus: +8

25. (20) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 31-24 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 4-5
• My predicted record: 6-3
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +19
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
• Plus/Minus: +7
  

26. (20) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 39-26 (-11)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 7-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +36
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
  
• Plus/Minus: +3

27. (27) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: beat Tennessee, 29-17 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 5-4
• My predicted record: 3-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
  
• Plus/Minus: -2

28. (28) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Minnesota, 27-13 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 6-3
• My predicted record: 7-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +29
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -15
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: -5

29. (29) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 36-18 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 5-4
• My predicted record: 2-7
• My record at predicting their record: 4-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
• Points taken from me with wins: -34
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: -17

29. (30) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 4-5
• My predicted record: 8-1
• My record at predicting their record: 5-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +31
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -50
• Plus/Minus: -17
  

31. (32) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to Philadelphia, 59-28 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 4-5
• My predicted record: 2-7
• My record at predicting their record: 3-6
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
• Plus/Minus: -26

32. (31) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Beat New York Giants, 33-20 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 2-7
• My predicted record: 4-5
• My record at predicting their record: 3-6
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +18
• Points taken from me with wins: -19
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -41
• Plus/Minus: -42

And somehow following a .500 performance in Week 10, I'm down to only one spot now with a losing record—although three slots are at .500 too:

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