Week 16 Power Rankings: Re-forgettable

I'll probably be a little unnerved about posting picks before taking any "breaks" in future NFL seasons, seeing as I did even worse with my Week 16 Picks than I did in Week 11 when I took a week off for Thanksgiving. The Christmas weekend games were equivocal to quite a few lumps of coal for me as my confidence pool picks were worth an otherwise ho-ho-hopeless 66 points.

After nearly everybody maxed out on Pittsburgh's real gimme on Thursday night, David Buehler gave the Arizona fans quite the holiday gift by fudging an extra point and costing me more than most with the 10 points I'd had on Dallas. From there, the Dolphins, Chargers, and Eagles all resorted to their Grinch-like ways by costing me even more points. At least I had ™ around to help take my mind of another disastrous performance late in the season.

For those of you keeping track at home, Week 16 was now the third time I've finished in season-low 13th place for the week in the PoolHost league:

Perhaps most damaging of all about those results was that with only one week left in the regular season, my piss-poor picks had dropped me into fourth place—which was the lowest I'd been since Week Six:

I can't remember if I've finished lower in the Yahoo pool, but among those who actually submitted picks, my score was the worst for the week there:

Of course, many had bad weeks there, so I stayed in second for the year in that league. I didn't screencap the standings since I was busy, nor I can go back and capture them for this update, so you'll just have to take my word for it that I remained in second place—though even further out of first—and enjoy this GIF instead:

The saving grace for the week would have to be that when looking at straight-up records for the week, at least I was above .500 with my 9-7 set of picks. That mark wasn't as good as Yahoo's Les Carpenter, who had the best record for the week at 11-5. Mike Golic from ESPN was right behind at 10-6 while Ron Jaworski managed to round out those who actually finished above .500 by going 8-7. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports, as well as Merrill Hoge, Mark Schlereth, and Michael Silver all broke even at 8-8. Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter, Seth Wickersham, and Jason Cole all finished a game under by going 7-9, while it was poor Eric Allen lagging the furthest behind with a 6-10 set of picks.

On the year, that brought everybody to these totals:

1. (1) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 146-77 (.655)
2. (2) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 152-88 (.633) 
3. (3) YOURS TRULY: 151-89 (.629)
4. (6) Mike Golic, ESPN: 150-90 (.625)
5. (4) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 149-91 (.621)
6. (4) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 148-92 (.617)
7. (7) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 147-93 (.613)
8. (10) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 145-95 (.604)
9. (8) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 144-96 (.600)
10. (9) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 143-97 (.596)
11. (11) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 140-100 (.583)
12. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 137-103 (.571)
13. (13) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 130-110 (.542)

Now obviously a 9-7 record with that many big bet losses hurt a number of teams in the Power Rankings and did a pretty good amount of shaking standings up:

1. (1) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 27-3 (+16)
• Actual Record: 2-13
• My predicted record: 2-13
• My record at predicting their record: 13-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +149
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +139

2. (3) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 34-3 (+13)
• Actual Record: 4-11
• My predicted record: 2-13
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +120
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
• Plus/Minus: +94

3. (7) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 20-10 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 13-2
• My record at predicting their record: 9-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +97
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
• Plus/Minus: +82

4. (5) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 17-14 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 12-3
• My predicted record: 13-2
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +88
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +74

5. (2) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 34-20 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 4-11
• My predicted record: 4-11
• My record at predicting their record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +98
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +73

6. (9) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 34-14 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 8-7
• My record at predicting their record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +73
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +30
• Points taken from me with wins: -23
• Points taken from me with losses: -10
  
• Plus/Minus: +70

7. (3) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 34-27 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 1-14
• My record at predicting their record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins:+1
• Points scored for me with losses: +111
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -43
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +69

8. (8) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat Atlanta, 17-14 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 12-3
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +104
• Points scored for me with losses: +1
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
• Points taken from me with losses: -26
  
• Plus/Minus: +67
  

9. (10) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 31-26 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 7-8
• My predicted record: 4-11
• My record at predicting their record: 12-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +65
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +64

10. (13) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 34-3 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 13-2
• My predicted record: 12-3
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +84
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
• Plus/Minus: +60

10. (6) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 24-14 (-15)
  
• Actual Record: 6-9
• My predicted record: 5-10
• My record at predicting their record: 12-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
• Points scored for me with losses: +59
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
• Plus/Minus: +60

12. (12) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Lost to St. Louis, 25-17 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 8-7
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +20
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +56
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
  
• Plus/Minus: +55

13. (14) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 31-26 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 14-1
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +77
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -32
• Plus/Minus: +50

14. (14) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 45-17 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 10-5
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +63
• Points scored for me with losses: +17
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -22
• Plus/Minus: +49
  

15. (11) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 27-26 (-10)
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 3-12
• My record at predicting their record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +59
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +46

15. (24) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 27-3 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 12-3
• My record at predicting their record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +95
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
• Points taken from me with losses: -37
  
• Plus/Minus: +46

17. (19) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Tampa Bay, 38-15 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 6-9
• My predicted record: 3-12
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +23
• Points scored for me with losses: +60
• Points taken from me with wins: -34
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: +44

18. (17) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat New York Giants, 45-17 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 13-2
• My record at predicting their record: 9-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +77
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -36
  
• Plus/Minus: +41

19. (20) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Beat San Francisco, 25-17 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 7-8
• My predicted record: 3-12
• My record at predicting their record: 11-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +59
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +37

20. (21) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 38-34 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 10-5
• My record at predicting their record: 9-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +67
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
• Points taken from me with losses: -20
  
• Plus/Minus: +33

21. (26) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 20-10 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 6-9
• My record at predicting their record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +55
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
• Plus/Minus: +32

21. (25) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 38-15 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 9-6
• My predicted record: 6-9
• My record at predicting their record: 10-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +28
• Points scored for me with losses: +41
• Points taken from me with wins: -25
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -12
• Plus/Minus: +32
  

23. (17) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 20-17 [OT] (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 8-7
• My predicted record: 3-12
• My record at predicting their record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +7
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +71
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -41
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +30
  

24. (16) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 24-14 (-15)
  
• Actual Record: 10-5
• My predicted record: 10-5
• My record at predicting their record: 9-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +51
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
• Points taken from me with losses: -29
  
• Plus/Minus: +26

25. (21) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 24-23 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 7-8
• My record at predicting their record: 9-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +19
• Points scored for me with losses: +39
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -27
• Plus/Minus: +23
  

25. (21) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Houston, 24-23 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 4-11
• My predicted record: 5-10
• My record at predicting their record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +75
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -25
• Points taken from me with losses: -29
  
• Plus/Minus: +23

27. (28) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 38-34 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 11-4
• My predicted record: 10-5
• My record at predicting their record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +53
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: +13

28. (27) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 34-20 (-14)
  
• Actual Record: 8-7
• My predicted record: 13-2
• My record at predicting their record: 8-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +71
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -66
• Plus/Minus: +6
  

29. (29) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Kansas City, 34-14 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 6-9
• My predicted record: 10-5
• My record at predicting their record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
• Points scored for me with losses: +13
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -36
• Plus/Minus: +1

30. (30) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to Arizona, 27-26 (-10)
  
• Actual Record: 5-10
• My predicted record: 7-8
• My record at predicting their record: 7-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +17
• Points scored for me with losses: +37
• Points taken from me with wins: -31
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -51
• Plus/Minus: -28

31. (31) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 20-17 [OT] (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 6-9
• My predicted record: 3-12
• My record at predicting their record: 5-10
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +36
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -44
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
• Plus/Minus: -32

32. (32) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to Detroit, 34-27 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 7-8
• My predicted record: 8-7
• My record at predicting their record: 6-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
• Points scored for me with losses: +12
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -38
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -41
  
• Plus/Minus: -49

And for whatever it's still worth, I locked in three more winning records, although I enter the final week of the regular season with two spots still on the fence:

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