When it comes to Creative Misfortune Power Rankings, production is combined with potential to determine a team's true strength compared to the rest of the league. Winning isn't the only factor, but it is one of the most important components 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 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 32)
The Rams keep looking worse every week. They haven't even been close to winning a game all season.
# 31 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 30)
Horrible effort by the Colts last Sunday night in New Orleans. They were never going to win that game, but they certainly should not have been blown out that bad. 45-7, sure. But 62-7, that's ridiculous.
# 30 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 31)
If the last five minutes of the Denver game hasn’t convinced the owners to make a coaching change, nothing will.
# 29 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 25)
One of the best 1-6 teams in the history of the league, Ponder provided a spark for the Vikings on Sunday. Too bad the rest of the team wasn't up to the challenge of playing a full four quarters against the Packers. Three quarters of solid play will never be good enough.
# 28 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 29)
That was an ugly win over the Ravens, but at this stage in the season, the Jags will take them anyway they can get them.
The Creatively Challenged~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 24)
It's still hard to believe this team has fallen so low after being in the Super Bowl just a few seasons ago. For all of you out there clambering for Peyton Manning to be MVP this season after the Colts' dreadful start, I give you exhibit B for your argument: the Arizona Cardinals in the years since Kurt Warner retired.
# 26 - Denver Broncos (previous: 26)
Say what you want about Tim Tebow's start in Miami over the weekend. Bottom line is he won the game, something Denver has failed to do consistently since Elway retired.
# 25 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 28)
At 2-5, the playoffs are a long-shot, but Carolina is building a team here with Cam Newton that could be a force to be reckoned with next season.
# 24 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 22)
Yuck. Some fans actually had to watch that game.
# 23 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 27)
Have the Chiefs suddenly figured things out and turned the corner on their season? Monday night's matchup against the Chargers has suddenly become interesting.
# 22 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 19)
Just when the Bucs seem to get going, injuries strike down their backfield.
# 21 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 23)
Yuck. At least the Browns rewarded their fans with a win after that miserable outing.
The Remarkably Average~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 21)
Out of the bye week they face the Cowboys. It's still anybody's division in the NFC East and the first Cowboys-Eagles matchup will do little to clear up the division race, unless the Eagles get crushed at home.
# 19 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 12)
I am so glad Chris Johnson held out for his new contract. At least he is fat and happy now and the Titans have to be giddy at the thought of paying him six figures a yard after his woeful production this season.
# 18 - Washington Redskins (previous: 14)
The best of Washington's season looks to be behind them.
# 17 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 11)
In a game that featured eight interceptions, the Raiders QBs combined to throw six of them. It's still too early to say the Palmer trade was bad - and I don’t believe it is - but to get smoked at home 28-0 by the Chiefs doesn’t bode well for Oakland's immediate future.
# 16 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 18)
Huge win over the Lions. The Falcons may just have saved their season with that victory, now that they hold a wild card tiebreaker over Detroit.
# 15 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 20)
The Cowboys should beat teams like the Rams by 27. I'll believe they have turned a corner if they come out of Philadelphia with a win Sunday night.
# 14 - New York Giants (previous: 16)
The NFC East is theirs to lose at this point, but the Giants still have a long way to go before they get to the playoffs.
# 13 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 8)
What is going on with Rivers? There are few teams more baffling than the San Diego Chargers.
The Fortunate Seven~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Chicago Bears (previous: 15)
Solid win against a solid foe on the soil of some far-flung country. Detroit's stumbles of late have given the Bears some hope.
# 11 - New York Jets (previous: 17)
If the defense can keep the Jets in a game, the offense should be just talented enough to win it at the end.
# 10 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 10)
The surprise team of 2011 comes out of its bye week fresh and ready to keep on winning.
# 9 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 9)
Another surprise team of 2011 comes out of its bye week fresh and ready to keep on winning.
# 8 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 7)
Nobody was happier about the Ravens' loss than the Steelers.
# 7 - Detroit Lions (previous: 5)
Two losses in a row and now an injury to Matthew Stafford. Will he ever be able to complete a full season without getting dinged up?
# 6 - Houston Texans (previous: 13)
That is how you seize control of the division.
The Creative Elite~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 2)
In their four wins, the Ravens have been stellar. In their two losses, Baltimore has looked about as bad as a team can look. What gives?
# 4 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 6)
Way to shut down the offense late in the third quarter. No need to subject the stars to unnecessary punishment when the game has already been decided and the stats have been accumulated.
# 3 - New England Patriots (previous: 4)
Out of the bye week and on the road to Pittsburgh - a place where the Patriots have done quite well in the past 10 years. We'll see how well they made use of their extra week to prepare.
# 2 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 3)
The 49ers aren’t there yet, but as the best team in the NFC West they are definitely well on their way.
# 1 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 1)
Nothing like a 20-point third quarter on the road against a division rival to solidify Green Bay as the #1 team in the league.
Week 7 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Tennessee Titans (-7), Oakland Raiders (-6), San Diego Chargers (-5), Washington Redskins (-4), Minnesota Vikings (-4)
The Biggest Movers - Houston Texans (+7), New York Jets (+6), Dallas Cowboys (+5), Kansas City Chiefs (+4), Chicago Bears (+3)
Maintaining The Status Quo - Green Bay Packers (1), Buffalo Bills (9), Cincinnati Bengals (10), Denver Broncos (26), St. Louis Rams (32)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLVI Favorite ~ After Week 7
Check back tomorrow for week 8 predictions.
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