Week 12 Power Rankings: Checkin' these twice

There were certainly a number of photo/video moments I could have used to accompany this post as it related to Week 12 in the NFL. The unfortunate dropped would-be game-winning touchdown in Buffalo was certainly a candidate, although a late missed field goal in Cleveland was another near-disaster in terms of possible points lost. Cortland Finnegan and Andre Johnson's entertaining little scrum was also considered, but I just used a punch being thrown yesterday "last week." In the end though, I think that this lovely image sort of relates to how my confidence pool luck has been going as of late, with myself hoping to creep back up into the lead like a warm fart. Sure, it'll cause some people to wince, but right now, nobody really notices.

My picks for the week earned me another 107 points, so they didn't stink too bad. But there were unfortunately some other folks who came out smelling like roses.

My score was good enough for sixth place in the PoolHost contest:

But the bad part would be that two of the five people that finished ahead of me were also leading me in the standings, so while I'm still in third place on the year, the deficit has now grown larger:

It was a similar story in the Yahoo league, as a second-place finish for the week sounds good enough ...:

... at least until you consider that the guy who beat me there last week is also the leader—and has now won four weeks thus far this year. So again, I slip further behind on the year despite remaining where I was last week in the standings:

So a 10-6 record for the week is one game worse than I did last week, but it was quite the popular mark shared by most of the experts for Week 12.

Jason Cole of Yahoo once again had a stellar week with his 13-3 being the best of the bunch. Merrill Hoge of ESPN was right behind at 12-4, while both Mike Golic and Seth Wickersham went 11-5. Ron Jaworski technically fits right in between thereby going 11-4 of the 15 games he picked. Eric Allen, Chris Mortensen, Mark Schlereth, Michael Silver, and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports all had the same 10-6 record as myself, while it was Les Carpenter and Adam Schefter lagging behind with 9-7 sets of picks.

All said and done, we've got a new leader on the year:

1. (2) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 116-60 (.659)
2. (1) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 107-56 (.656)
3. (3) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 109-67 (.619) 
3. (3) YOURS TRULY: 109-67 (.619)
3. (5) Mike Golic, ESPN: 109-67 (.619)
6. (5) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 108-68 (.614)
7. (7) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 105-71 (.597)
8. (8) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 103-73 (.585)
8. (9) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 103-73 (.585)
10. (9) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 101-75 (.574)
11. (11) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 100-76 (.568)
12. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 96-80 (.545)
13. (12) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 95-81 (.540)

The same teams bookend this week's Power Rankings, but the little addendum to the title of this post refers to the fact that with Week 13 coming up, it's now the annual time where the numbers here are going to determine which teams I pick for the next set of games:

1. (1) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Cleveland, 24-23 (+14)
• Actual Record: 1-10
• My predicted record: 1-10
• My record at predicting their record: 9-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +105
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +94

2. (2) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 45-24 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 2-9
• My predicted record: 1-10
• My record at predicting their record: 10-1
• Points scored for me with wins:+1
• Points scored for me with losses: +96
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +91

3. (3) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 19-16 [OT] (+15)
• Actual Record: 2-9
• My predicted record: 2-9
• My record at predicting their record: 8-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +97
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
• Plus/Minus: +88

4. (4) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 17-10 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 8-3
• My predicted record: 10-1
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +76
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
• Plus/Minus: +66

5. (4) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 27-6 (+3)
• Actual Record: 3-8
• My predicted record: 3-8
• My record at predicting their record: 9-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +53
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +58

5. (9) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 26-10 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 9-2
• My predicted record: 8-3
• My record at predicting their record: 8-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +67
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +3
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
  
• Plus/Minus: +58

7. (13) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 26-10 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 2-9
• My predicted record: 3-8
• My record at predicting their record: 8-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +66
• Points taken from me with wins: -4
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +51

8. (4) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 17-13 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 4-7
• My predicted record: 4-7
• My record at predicting their record: 9-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +44
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -5
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
• Plus/Minus: +50

9. (8) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 36-14 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 6-5
• My predicted record: 10-1
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +59
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -20
• Plus/Minus: +44

10. (7) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 20-17 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 9-2
• My predicted record: 9-2
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +54
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -4
• Plus/Minus: +43

11. (14) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 30-27 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 8-3
• My predicted record: 9-2
• My record at predicting their record: 8-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +73
• Points scored for me with losses: +1
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
  
• Plus/Minus: +41
  

11. (12) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 33-17 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 5-6
• My predicted record: 3-8
• My record at predicting their record: 9-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +11
• Points scored for me with losses: +54
• Points taken from me with wins: -24
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +41

13. (16) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 45-24 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 9-2
• My predicted record: 9-2
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +59
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
• Plus/Minus: +36

13. (17) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 24-20 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 7-4
• My predicted record: 7-4
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +49
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -17
• Plus/Minus: +36
  

15. (15) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 42-24 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 7-4
• My predicted record: 5-6
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +48
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
• Points taken from me with wins: -23
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +34

16. (10) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 31-26 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 7-4
• My predicted record: 7-4
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +38
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: +33

17. (11) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 20-17 (-6)
  
• Actual Record: 7-4
• My predicted record: 10-1
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +62
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -23
  
• Plus/Minus: +32

18. (22) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 19-16 [OT] (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 8-3
• My predicted record: 9-2
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +63
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
  
• Plus/Minus: +30

19. (25) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 24-23 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 4-7
• My predicted record: 5-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +40
• Points taken from me with wins: -21
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +27

19. (24) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 24-23 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 6-5
• My predicted record: 1-10
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +61
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -35
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +27
  

21. (22) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 21-0 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 7-4
• My predicted record: 3-8
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +19
• Points scored for me with losses: +32
• Points taken from me with wins: -25
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +26
  

22. (19) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 27-6 (+3)
  
• Actual Record: 4-7
• My predicted record: 7-4
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +16
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +27
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
  
• Plus/Minus: +22

23. (20) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 20-0 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 5-6
• My predicted record: 6-5
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +19
• Points scored for me with losses: +22
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
• Plus/Minus: +15
  

24. (18) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to St. Louis, 36-33 (-8)
  
• Actual Record: 3-8
• My predicted record: 4-7
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +48
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -16
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
  
• Plus/Minus: +13

25. (20) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 36-33 (-8)
  
• Actual Record: 5-6
• My predicted record: 1-10
• My record at predicting their record: 7-4
• Points scored for me with wins:+8
• Points scored for me with losses: +38
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +9

26. (26) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Kansas City, 42-24 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 5-6
• My predicted record: 2-9
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +9
• Points scored for me with losses: +37
• Points taken from me with wins: -34
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: +7

27. (29) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 33-17 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 6-5
• My predicted record: 5-6
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -6
  
• Plus/Minus: -2

28. (28) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Indianapolis, 36-14 (-1)
  
• Actual Record: 6-5
• My predicted record: 9-2
• My record at predicting their record: 6-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +44
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -50
• Plus/Minus: -5
  

28. (27) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 20-0 (-2)
  
• Actual Record: 5-6
• My predicted record: 8-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-7
• 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: -30
• Plus/Minus: -5

30. (30) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 31-26 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 8-3
• My predicted record: 7-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +29
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: -16

31. (31) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 30-27 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-8
• My predicted record: 5-6
• My record at predicting their record: 5-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +8
• Points scored for me with losses: +28
• Points taken from me with wins: -19
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -41
• Plus/Minus: -24

32. (32) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 17-13 (-5)
  
• Actual Record: 5-6
• My predicted record: 3-8
• My record at predicting their record: 3-8
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +19
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
• Plus/Minus: -42

I'll enter next week with four spots where I'm at .500, although I've locked in at least three winning records:

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