Week 17 Power Rankings: Worst. Year. Ever.

The saving grace to the final week of the regular season had to be that the downward scoring spiral of the past five weeks finally ceased with my picks being good for 108 points, one shy of my best score for the season.

 

Of course, when you look at the grand total of 1406 points on the year, that's the lowest score I've ended up with in any of the three seasons I've been posting my picks here on BMC. So in the end, if I was right about nothing else that I said at the beginning of this season (and I wasn't right about much), it was that this year was indeed as unpredictable as I felt it was going to be.

 

Still, it was nice to sneak back into the top three on the final game of the year and I did manage to win each pool twice (tops for both in Week Nine, but first in PoolHost for Week Three and first in Yahoo for Week Seven). So despite the accurate subtitle to this post, it's not as though this season was completely without its moments for me.

My score was good for fifth place in the PoolHost league:

And to conclude the regular season, I ended up in third place—although we'll still be picking for the playoffs in both leagues, but more on that later:

In the Yahoo league, the score was good for third on the week:

And I remained in second on the year:

Most everybody among the experts I track played it safe to end the year, but it was Les Carpenter from Yahoo who was nearly flawless by going 15-1 with Michael Silver being a runner-up at 13-3. Jason Cole shared my 12-4 mark for the week as did many of the ESPN crew including Eric Allen, Mike Golic, Merrill Hoge, Chris Mortensen and—HOLY FUCKING SHIT ... HE PICKED ALL 16 GAMES!!!—Ron Jaworski. Seth Wickersham and Mark Schlereth went 11-5 while Pete Prisco of CBS Sports and Adam Schefter shared last place with 10-6 records.

So for the year, we finally ended up with somebody other than Merrill Hoge coming out atop the standings for the year in straight-up picks, although it unfortunately wasn't me:

1. (1) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 158-81 (.661)
2. (2) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 164-92 (.641) 
3. (3) YOURS TRULY: 163-93 (.637)
4. (4) Mike Golic, ESPN: 162-94 (.633)
5. (5) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 161-95 (.629)
6. (8) Les Carpenter, Yahoo: 160-96 (.625)
6. (6) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 160-96 (.625)
8. (7) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 158-98 (.617)
9. (10) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 156-100 (.609)
10. (9) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 154-102 (.602)
11. (11) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 151-105 (.590)
12. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 149-107 (.582)
13. (13) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 140-116 (.547)

So technically, Jaworski finishes with the best percentage but because he doesn't pick the full slate of games until the last week, I'm basically considering Jason Cole this season's real champion.

As for the Power Rankings, with my record low score, it should come as no surprise that I also had a record low for both the No. 1 and No. 32 spots in the final spots this year:

1. (1) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: Lost to Atlanta, 31-10 (+16)
• Actual Record: 2-14
• My predicted record: 2-14
• My record at predicting their record: 14-2
• Points scored for me with wins: +1
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +165
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
• Points taken from me with losses: -8
  
• Plus/Minus: +155

2. (2) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to New York Jets, 38-7 (+7)
• Actual Record: 4-12
• My predicted record: 2-14
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +127
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -2
• Plus/Minus: +101

3. (3) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 13-7 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 12-4
• My predicted record: 14-2
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +112
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -6
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
• Plus/Minus: +97

4. (4) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: Beat Carolina, 31-10 (+16)
  
• Actual Record: 13-3
• My predicted record: 14-2
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +104
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +90

5. (5) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Lost to Baltimore, 13-7 (+15)
  
• Actual Record: 4-12
• My predicted record: 4-12
• My record at predicting their record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +14
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +113
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
• Points taken from me with losses: -21
• Plus/Minus: +88

6. (10) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Miami, 38-7 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 14-2
• My predicted record: 13-3
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +97
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -13
• Points taken from me with losses: -11
• Plus/Minus: +73

7. (7) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Beat Minnesota, 20-13 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 2-14
• My record at predicting their record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +111
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -43
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +70

8. (6) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to Oakland, 31-10 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 9-7
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• 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: -14
  
• Plus/Minus: +66

9. (13) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 23-20 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 15-1
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +91
• Points scored for me with losses: +5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: -32
• Plus/Minus: +64

10. (10) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Lost to Detroit, 20-13 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 5-11
• My record at predicting their record: 13-3
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
• Points scored for me with losses: +60
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -20
• Points taken from me with losses: -14
• Plus/Minus: +61

11. (12) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat Arizona, 38-7 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 9-7
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +56
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -3
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -18
  
• Plus/Minus: +60

11. (9) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 31-10 (-4)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 4-12
• My record at predicting their record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +25
• Points scored for me with losses: +65
• Points taken from me with wins: -30
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +60

13. (14) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Washington, 17-14 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 11-5
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• Points scored for me with wins: +71
• Points scored for me with losses: +17
• Points taken from me with wins: -9
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -22
• Plus/Minus: +57
  

14. (15) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 41-9 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 12-4
• My predicted record: 13-3
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +105
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: -12
• Points taken from me with losses: -37
  
• Plus/Minus: +56

15. (8) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Lost to Tampa Bay, 23-13 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 13-3
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• 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: -38
  
• Plus/Minus: +55
  

16. (15) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 38-7 (+5)
• Actual Record: 5-11
• My predicted record: 3-13
• My record at predicting their record: 12-4
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +64
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
• Plus/Minus: +51

17. (18) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Beat Chicago, 10-3 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 14-2
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +83
• Points scored for me with losses: +7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -7
• Points taken from me with losses: -36
  
• Plus/Minus: +47

18. (21) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 41-9 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 5-11
• My predicted record: 6-10
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +15
• Points scored for me with losses: +65
• Points taken from me with wins: -29
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -9
• Plus/Minus: +42

19. (17) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 16-6 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 7-9
• My predicted record: 3-13
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +23
• Points scored for me with losses: +60
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
• Points taken from me with losses: -5
  
• Plus/Minus: +41

20. (20) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 38-7 (+7)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 11-5
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +74
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +4
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -18
• Points taken from me with losses: -20
  
• Plus/Minus: +40

21. (19) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to Seattle, 16-6 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 7-9
• My predicted record: 4-12
• My record at predicting their record: 11-5
• 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: -3
• Plus/Minus: +34

21. (25) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Lost to San Diego, 33-28 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 4-12
• My predicted record: 5-11
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +2
• Points scored for me with losses: +86
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -25
• Points taken from me with losses: -29
  
• Plus/Minus: +34

23. (23) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 34-17 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 8-8
• My predicted record: 3-13
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +7
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +73
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -41
• Points taken from me with losses: -7
• Plus/Minus: +32
  

24. (25) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Jacksonville, 34-17 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 8-8
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +21
• Points scored for me with losses: +39
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -27
• Plus/Minus: +25
  

25. (21) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Beat New Orleans, 23-13 (-12)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 6-10
• My record at predicting their record: 10-6
• Points scored for me with wins: +28
• Points scored for me with losses: +41
• Points taken from me with wins: -37
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -12
• Plus/Minus: +20
  

26. (27) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Lost to Green Bay, 10-3 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 11-5
• My predicted record: 10-6
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +53
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +11
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -26
• Points taken from me with losses: -19
  
• Plus/Minus: +19

27. (28) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Beat Denver, 33-28 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 9-7
• My predicted record: 14-2
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• Points scored for me with wins: +82
  
• Points scored for me with losses: +2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -1
• Points taken from me with losses: -66
• Plus/Minus: +17
  

27. (24) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: Lost to Dallas, 14-13 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 10-6
• My predicted record: 11-5
• My record at predicting their record: 9-7
• 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: -38
  
• Plus/Minus: +17

29. (29) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 23-20 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 10-6
• My record at predicting their record: 8-8
• Points scored for me with wins: +35
• Points scored for me with losses: +27
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -11
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -36
• Plus/Minus: +15

30. (31) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 17-14 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 3-13
• My record at predicting their record: 6-10
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: +44
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -44
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -24
• Plus/Minus: -24

31. (32) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 38-7 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 7-9
• My predicted record: 8-8
• My record at predicting their record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +18
• Points scored for me with losses: +25
  
• Points taken from me with wins: -38
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -41
  
• Plus/Minus: -36

32. (30) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Beat Philadelphia, 14-13 (-9)
  
• Actual Record: 6-10
• My predicted record: 7-9
• My record at predicting their record: 7-9
• Points scored for me with wins: +17
• Points scored for me with losses: +37
• Points taken from me with wins: -40
  
• Points taken from me with losses: -51
• Plus/Minus: -37

Finally, if I'm looking back correctly, this is the third straight year I've finished with two losing spots—although the sub-.500 finish on the 12-pointers is not only a steep drop from last season's nearly flawless record, but certainly the highest spot on the sheet I've ever struggled with during a season:

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