When it comes to Creative Misfortune Power Rankings, winning isn't the only thing, but it is the most important component of the rating. I don't believe teams can be powerful if they consistently lose, even to other great teams.
The Forked Few ~
Abandon hope and fortune all ye who rank here
# 32 - Detroit Lions (previous: 32)
Another tough division loss spells certain doom for the 2010 season. With 12 games left to play, Detroit's goal should be to get to the six win mark. At this point, it would have taken less time to rebuild Rome than to rebuild the Lions of the Millen era.
# 31 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 30)
The Bills looked so promising after scoring 30 against the Patriots, but then the Jets reminded us all why the Bills are, well, the Bills. Usually it is not a good sign when a quarterback from Harvard leads your team in rushing.
# 30 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 26)
Oakland had the Texans in their grasp until Arian Foster entered the game and broke off a demoralizing, 74-yard touchdown run early in the second half. The wheels came off at that point and now the schedule doesn't get any easier with San Diego coming to town, eager to put the Raiders out of their misery.
# 29 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 29)
You had your chance to steal one from the defending champions, but let them get just enough yards to allow a 46-year-old kicker to knock you out for good.
# 28 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 28)
Man, the 49ers had that game until they lost it - literally. Losing in the last seconds after a big mistake will devastate this shell-shocked team more than the 30 point losses they've already endured this season.
The Creatively Challenged ~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 31)
Cleveland breaks into the win column with an impressive victory over a division rival. Of course, the rival wasn't Pittsburgh or Baltimore and a three point victory isn't all that impressive. But don't confuse me with the details. The Browns finally won a game and elevated themselves above Forked Few status.
# 26 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 19)
After nearly a century of games, it's not easy to make history in the NFL, but the Dolphins did so... and not in a good way. Now Miami has an extra week to chew on the five unique touchdowns New England scored against them.
# 25 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 27)
Two wins in a row! Rams at .500! Grab the wife and kids and run to the hills. The end is near. With a game against Detroit next week, three straight wins seems more realistic than ever.
# 24 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 25)
Scobee's kick still hasn't come back to earth. Jaguars are on a roll and face the hapless Bills next. Knocking off the Colts might just be the confidence builder they needed to finally get some positive momentum going their way.
# 23 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 16)
A trade for Buffalo's backup running back makes me ask one question - why have I been trying to start Forsett on my fantasy league all this time?
# 22 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 21)
The Cowboys survived the bye week with their coaching staff intact. I'm still undecided if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but a game at home against the struggling Titans should answer that question.
# 21 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 18)
Moss coming back to town to help out a decminated receiving corps? I can't wait to see Favre throw interceptions 50 yards downfield now instead of the 20 yards he's been throwing to the likes of Baskett, Harvin and Lewis.
The Remarkably Average ~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Washington Redskins (previous: 23)
The NFC East is all topsy-turvy now thanks to McNabb's pleasant, though statistically underwhelming, homecoming. The Redskins haven't reclaimed their glory of yesteryear, but they can no longer be counted among the dregs of the league, either.
# 19 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 15)
Any chance Warner will give up his dancing shoes and return to Arizona? Just four games into the season and the Cardinals are already onto their third quarterback.
# 18 - New York Giants (previous: 24)
Last week's feature, This Day in Football History, highlighted how the Giants defense sacked McNabb 12 times en route to a decisive 16-3 victory over the Eagles. Inspired by history and a porous offensive line, the Giants nearly duplicated this feat when they crushed the Chicago quarterbacks on Monday Night 10 times in a similarly decisive 17-3 victory.
# 17 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 12)
Who needs a running game?
# 16 - Denver Broncos (previous: 22)
Who needs a running game!
# 15 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 13)
Losing to Cleveland, even in Cleveland, is never a good way to try and take a big step forward in the division.
# 14 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 11)
Ouch. Injuries and poor time management - the bane of any Andy Reid-led team.
# 13 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 5)
Avoid the key mistakes early and then there is no need for a 59-yard miracle kick to ruin your magnificent comeback.
The Fortunate Seven ~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 20)
It's not that the Bucs are good, it's just so many teams lost so badly over the weekend, how can they be penalized for being idle.
# 11 - Chicago Bears (previous: 2)
Through the fog of sacks and concussions, can the Bears even remember what it felt like to be 3-0 so, so long ago?
# 10 - Houston Texans (previous: 14)
I guess Mr. Foster does his best running AFTER halftime. Still, I think Coach Kubiak hates fantasy football.
# 9 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 1)
3-1 without Roethlisberger is more than most fans hoped for.
# 8 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 17)
Too bad all San Diego's games can't be played in sunny Southern California.
# 7 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 10)
Good teams win ugly. Great teams win with style. Time will tell if this team can become the great team they were just one season ago.
# 6 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 6)
Two straight last second victories have the Dirty Birds laughing on top of the AFC South. Perhaps they can win without the drama when they travel to Cleveland this week.
The Creative Elite ~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 7)
With or without Roethlisberger in the lineup, a win over Pittsburgh is always noteworthy and worth a bump in the rankings.
# 4 - New England Patriots (previous: 8)
How do you gruntle a disgruntled wide receiver? Throw him a catchable pass at the end of the first half for a touchdown he can drop. Then don't throw him any passes in the second half so he finishes catchless for the first time since he's played for your team. Finally, trade him to a former team in the frozen north so he can suddenly become all-motivated again and start to play, because now he wants to play. And last, but certainly not least, destroy him and his new team when they come to Foxboro four weeks from now.
# 3 - New York Jets (previous: 9)
How many touchdowns could a Sanchize chuck if a Sanchize could chuck touchdowns? A Sanchize could chuck ALL the touchdowns, if the running backs didn't score them first.
# 2 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 4)
Barely escaping Detroit is better than losing to Detroit. The game at Washington this week will confirm whether the Packers are solid contenders or just passing pretenders.
# 1 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 3)
As the only undefeated left in the young 2010 season, how can the Chiefs not be ranked #1?
Week 4 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Chicago Bears (-9), Pittsburgh Steelers (-8) and the Indianapolis Colts (-8)
The Biggest Movers - San Diego Chargers (+9), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8), New York Jets (+6), Denver Broncos (+6) and the New York Giants (+6)
Maintaining The Status Quo - Atlanta Falcons (6), San Francisco 49ers (28), Carolina Panthers (29) and the Detroit Lions (32)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLV Favorite ~ After Week 4
No comments:
Post a Comment