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 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 29)
How bad are you if you can hold the opposing quarterback to 32 yards passing, snag 4 interceptions and still end up losing by 17?
# 31 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 31)
Despite leading early, the Bills blow another game at home and extend their woeful streak of allowing teams to score 30 or more points against them to four straight.
# 30 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 28)
Five straight losses to start the season. Who gets fired this week?
# 29 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 27)
Injuries and decision issues at the quarterback position have the Browns spinning in circles with no clear options.
# 28 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 25)
The world didn't end with a third straight Rams victory, but did the football gods have to be so viciously decisive in keeping St. Louis from the win?
The Creatively Challenged ~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Detroit Lions (previous: 32)
So this is what it feels like to win a game?
# 26 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 15)
More disappointment at home for the Bengals. Games lost like this have cost teams their seasons. Will Batman and Robin be able to lead this team back from the brink?
# 25 - Denver Broncos (previous: 16)
Garbage time touchdowns may inflate the passing game numbers, but everybody knows the game wasn't nearly as close as the final score suggested.
# 24 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 8)
It's not even January yet and already the Chargers are choking away victories. In a game lost by only 8 points, the 16 points given up by the special teams and the offense made all the difference.
# 23 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 30)
Special teams, defense and a dash of offense end up being the recipe needed for victory over bitter division rivals. The Chargers streak of 13 straight wins over the Raiders is snapped in dramatic fashion.
# 22 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 22)
There are no excuses for losing at home after a bye week. Now the Cowboys all but have to win in Minnesota to have any shot at a home-field Super Bowl.
# 21 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 21)
Favre to Moss for #500. That's about all that can be said in a positive manner about the Vikings. Don't bother to mention Favre's harassment scandal, his two fumbles or the pick-6 that ended the game in New York's favor.
The Remarkably Average ~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 26)
Idle and improving.
# 19 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 23)
Idle and improving.
# 18 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 19)
Cardinals make the most of the Saints' mistakes and now have the inside track to the NFC West title.
# 17 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 24)
The worst of the four teams tied for first in the AFC South.
# 16 - Houston Texans (previous: 10)
New plan - play all Texan games on the road. After two straight home losses, Reliant Stadium becoming a house of horrors... and just in time for Halloween.
# 15 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 2)
The injuries continue to mount for this strong preseason favorite.
# 14 - Washington Redskins (previous: 20)
The Redskins win ugly again and move into a first-place tie in the NFC East. McNabb looks old, but the defense is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
# 13 - New York Giants (previous: 18)
The defense is winning games for them and now suddenly the offense wants to get in on the action. Scary.
The Fortunate Seven ~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 12)
It's always difficult to win on the road, even against bad teams. Tampa Bay is still playing better than most people expected.
# 11 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 1)
Holding Peyton Manning to zero touchdown passes is a feat few defenses can accomplish. However, not scoring any touchdowns for yourself does not help you stay undefeated.
# 10 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 7)
What in the world? Brees is uncharacteristically terrible in an easily winnable game. New Orleans continues to struggle to find their identity. Could Reggie Bush have been a more tangible part of the offense than people were willing to admit?
# 9 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 17)
Lose at home to the Broncos, then win big on the road against the Cowboys. Such inconsistency won't allow the Titans to stay tied for first place in a tight division race for long.
# 8 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 14)
Kolb or Vick? It doesn't really matter as long as McCoy can run with the ball.
# 7 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 13)
Playing just good enough to win will only work in October.
# 6 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 9)
3-1 without Roethlisberger. Guess what? He's back.
The Creative Elite ~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Chicago Bears (previous: 11)
Say what you will about this team, but they find ways to win games, regardless of how terrible they are playing at any given time.
# 4 - New England Patriots (previous: 4)
The Patriots were anything but idle during the bye week. Branch may not be better than Moss, but his attitude will be a definite improvement for Brady's team.
# 3 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 6)
Defense wins championships and division titles, they say. The Dirty Birds are playing solid defense.
# 2 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 5)
The offense still misfires at times and the defense has lost half a step, but three straight conference victories have the Ravens confidently moving in the right direction.
# 1 - New York Jets (previous: 3)
Four straight victories - three over division opponents and one over the Vikings - without a single turnover make the Jets the team to beat in the NFL.
Week 5 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - San Diego Chargers (-16), Green Bay Packers (-13) and the Cincinnati Bengals (-11)
The Biggest Movers - Tennessee Titans (+8), Jacksonville Jaguars (+7) and the Oakland Raiders (+7)
Maintaining The Status Quo - New England Patriots (4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12), Minnesota Vikings (21), Dallas Cowboys (22), and the Buffalo Bills (31)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLV Favorite ~ After Week 5
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