Week Four Power Rankings

Last year, I finished in second place two straight weeks after first using the numbers from the Power Rankings. Of course, that took until Week 10 and here we are four weeks in and I secured a second consecutive second-place finish last week (out of 15). I went 12-2 for the week with a score of 95 points, just one behind the winner. And I moved to within three points of the leader in the overall standings, sitting by myself in second (out of 17) at 408 points.

My 12-2 mark was matched only by the bro-in-law and Chris Mortensen from the ESPN gurus. Seth Wickersham, Mark Schlereth, and Adam Schefter of ESPN as well as CBS Sports' Pete Prisco all went 11-3. ESPN's Ron Jaworski had the same number right but went 11-2. Merrill Hoge of ESPN as well as Yahoo's Michael Silver and Charles Robinson went 10-4. Yahoo's Jason Cole and ESPN's Mike Golic went 9-5. And Eric Allen brought up the rear last week, going 8-6 last week—which serves him right for being the only dumbass to pick the Detroit Lions.

Now, on the year (numbers in parentheses indicating where the dude stood in the rankings last week):

1. (1) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 48-14 (.774)
2. (2) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 46-16 (.742)
2. (5) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 46-16 (.742)
2. (5) YOURS TRULY: 46-16 (.742)
5. (2) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 45-17 (.726)
6. (7) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 42-16 (.724)
7. (4) Mike Golic, ESPN: 43-18 (.705)
8. (8) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 43-19 (.694)
8. (10) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 43-19 (.694)
8. (10) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 43-19 (.694)
11. (8) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 42-20 (.677)
12. (12) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 41-21 (.661)
13. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 39-23 (.629)
13. (14) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 39-23 (.629)

So I'm off to a much better start than I was a year ago at this point in the season, but hey, the same franchise was occupying that No. 1 spot!:

1. (1) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 35-0 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 50
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +50
  
• Links of the Week:

That was fun only betting 11 against them these last couple of weeks, but the Rams are officially this season's Lions. And when I say that, I'm talking winless type bad. Everybody who isn't already hurt is now sick, they won't be getting too many freebies on their schedule, and—just to add the proper final touch of wicked fate—Rush Limbaugh wants to be your new owner.

2. (3) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 16-13 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 43
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +43
  
• Link of the Week:

Amusing to see someone ask when was the last time Tampa was 15-point underdogs and a commenter tells him to "get used to it baby!" I wanna enjoy Tampa being bad for the rest of the year too.

2. (7) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 27-16 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 43
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +43
  
• Link of the Week:

Sounds a little desperate to me:

As proof they are making an honest effort to find better offensive linemen, the Chiefs worked out a former All-American college wrestler who didn't play football at Kent State or even in high school, for that matter.

4. (8) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 27-16 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 41
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +41
  
• Link of the Week:

Fear not, young Eli. For Boomer Esiason has also suffered your horrendously painful plantar fasciitis, and it was only "probably one of the reasons I quit, because my feet were killing me." But Boomer never missed a game for it, and we don't expect you to puss out either.

5. (1) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 38-10 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 10
• Points scored for me with losses: 30
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +40
  
• Link of the Week:

Is it already time to start wondering if Dick Jauron will get fired—in the middle of the season? OK, it's time.

6. (4) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 24-10 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 38
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +38
  
• Link of the Week:

After serious statistical consideration, one man concludes "yes, the Saints are for real."

7. (10) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 23-20 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 35
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +35
• Link of the Week:

Now that Braylon Edwards is a Jet, put your hands together Cleveland for your new star receiver ... Mohammed Massaquoi?

8. (14) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 34-17 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 34
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +34
  
• Link of the Week:

Not that the team looks to be needing much help these days, still plenty of action involving their roster this week, most notable the possible return of one Bob Sanders.

9. (14) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 19-14 (+12)
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 41
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +33
  
• Link of the Week:

The Lions' old home, site of Wrestle Mania III, for sale.

9. (17) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 34-17 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 12
• Points scored for me with losses: 22
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 1
  
• Plus/Minus: +33
• Link of the Week:

Seneca Wallace, take a seat.

11. (11) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 38-28 (+8)
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +32
  
• Link of the Week:

Shawne Merriman got upset about team GM A.J. Smith calling the team "soft," which is too bad for the linebacker because his boss was right. Oh, and Merriman's contract is up at the end of the season too.

12. (5) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 31
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +31
• Link of the Week:

One Panthers fan—who would've predicted them to start the season 0-3, of course—lays out how the rest of the season will go and actually sees them making the playoffs.

13. (8) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 17-10 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 25
• Points scored for me with losses: 4
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +29
• Link of the Week:

What's that? Tony Romo didn't know it was fourth down? That'll ease those concerns.

13. (11) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 30-23 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 29
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +29
  
• Link of the Week:

Congress is now getting involved in the Pat Williams and Kevin Williams saga, which I didn't know was still going on.

15. (6) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 27-21 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
  
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 30
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 3
• Plus/Minus: +27
• Link of the Week:

Did last week's loss to the Patriots prove that the Ravens are really just pretenders?

15. (13) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 29-6 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 4
• Points scored for me with losses: 23
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +27
  
• Link of the Week:

JaMarcus Russell never had a chance.

15. (19) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 16-13 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 25
• Points scored for me with losses: 10
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 8
• Plus/Minus: +27
  
• Link of the Week:

Big Daddy Drew is apparently not a fan of Daniel Snyder.

18. (14) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 14
• Points scored for me with losses: 7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +21
  
• Link of the Week:

Four of the Falcons next seven opponents will be coming off their bye weeks.

19. (17) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 15
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +20
  
• Link of the Week:

It was imminent: TV series starring Michael Vick.

20. (20) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 38-10 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 1
• Points scored for me with losses: 16
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +17
  
• Link of the Week:

Sounds kind of gay to note that the Dolphins will wear their obnoxious orange jerseys for only third time in team history, but Miami won both of the games they previously wore the jerseys for—and both by a single point.

21. (23) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 48-24 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 9
• Points taken from me with losses: 1
  
• Plus/Minus: +11
  
• Link of the Week:

Memo to Johnny Knox: Don't pull that shit again.

22. (21) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Baltimore, 27-21 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 23
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 3
• Points taken from me with losses: 11
• Plus/Minus: +9
• Link of the Week:

I almost forgot that this ode to Josh McDaniels was actually on a Patriots blog.

23. (24) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 35-0 (+11)
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 11
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +8
  
• Link of the Week:

At long last, the Michael Crabtree standoff has ended. But now you ask where he fits on a team that's already 3-1 (and one miracle play away from being 4-0).

24. (22) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 17-10 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 13
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +7
  
• Link of the Week:

Worst thing that could've happened to the Broncos.

25. (25) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 38-28 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
  
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 16
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 12
  
• Plus/Minus: +4
• Link of the Week:

The Steelers' fourth quarter numbers so far this season do not resemble their championship form of last year.

26. (25) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 30-23 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 11
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 1
• Points taken from me with losses: 14
  
• Plus/Minus: +1
  
• Link of the Week:

Aaron Rodgers leads the league in being sacked.

27. (29) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 7
• Plus/Minus: -11
  
• Link of the Week:

It's always a good sign when you're facing a blackout.

27. (30) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 24-10 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 6
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -11
  
• Link of the Week:!
  

All's well that ends well ... for $5000.

29. (27) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 37-17 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
• Plus/Minus: -12
  
• Link of the Week:

Somebody compiled a first-quarter report card for the Jags, if you're into that stuff.

30. (28) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 37-17 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 8
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 21
• Plus/Minus: -13
• Link of the Week:

Let the calls for Vince Young begin.

30. (31) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 23-20 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
• Plus/Minus: -13
  
• Link of the Week:

Carson Palmer wants to go back to the playoffs—and is sure playing like it.

32. (31) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 29-6 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 4
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 15
  
• Plus/Minus: -24
  
• Link of the Week:

They're still sorting out that running back deal.

My record by point value this season, where my only losing percentage right now is also the least possible:

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