Creative Misfortune Power Rankings are based on a complicated formula that takes into account, among other things, a team's projected ability to score an Offensive Fumble Recovery TD. All power rankings guaranteed to be less accurate than real NFL team abilities on any given Sunday and are subject to change on a weekly basis.
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 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 32)
About the best thing that can be said about the Colts is that their season will be over in three weeks.
# 31 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 31)
The Rams have showed just enough promise to avoid earning the #1 overall pick next year, but that's about it.
# 30 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 30)
The Vikings continue to implode.
# 29 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 28)
Seven straight losses by the Bucs makes you wonder if last year was more of a fluke than the beginning chapters of some coming of age story.
# 28 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 27)
Haley, gone. Now what?
The Creatively Challenged~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 26)
Nobody expected the Browns to win last week. It's nice they didn’t disappoint anybody.
# 26 - Washington Redskins (previous: 25)
4-12 remains a distinct possibility, but the Redskins could at least beat the Giants this week, couldn’t they?
# 25 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 29)
41 points! Sure, it came against the Buccaneers, but still… 41 points!
# 24 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 24)
Carolina was so close to ruining Atlanta's playoff chances. The Panthers need to learn how to close out games. It's not enough to lead them. You have to win them.
# 23 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 21)
Buffalo exhibited some signs of life in the third quarter against the Chargers, but beyond that, they failed quite miserably.
# 22 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 18)
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time now, so it was inevitable that Sparano would be fired, but at this point, why didn't the Dolphins just let him close out the season?
# 21 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 22)
Just when you think the Cardinals are done, they turn spoiler.
The Remarkably Average~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 23)
The playoffs aren’t an option anymore, but a miserable season could be salvaged if the Eagles can run the table to finish an even 8-8.
# 19 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 20)
Seattle is still mathematically alive for a playoff spot, but even a perfect run to 9-7 won’t be enough to get them to the second season.
# 18 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 15)
The season that once looked so promising is starting to slip away from the Raiders.
# 17 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 13)
The Bengals have dropped a couple and are now fading in the AFC.
# 16 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 9)
Tennessee is still in the thick of things, but after Houston clinched the division last week, the Titans can only hope to secure a Wild Card spot.
# 15 - Chicago Bears (previous: 14)
without a quarterback and a running back the Bears are pretty much dead.
# 14 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 10)
The Cowboys should be 9-4, but terrible mental mistakes have taken the wind out of their sails. A Saturday night tilt against the Buccaneers will either get them back on track or kill any fading playoffs hopes they still have left.
# 13 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 19)
The Chargers traditionally have shined in December, but their early season troubles will make it difficult for them to snag a playoff spot in the tough AFC.
The Fortunate Seven~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - New York Giants (previous: 17)
Gritty play by Eli and the defensive line has the Giants back in control of their own destiny. More's the pity, I say.
# 11 - Denver Broncos (previous: 16)
Miracles or otherwise, Tebow keeps finding that fourth quarter magic and the rest of the Broncos believe they can win any game now. When was the last time you saw a game won by two 50+ yard field goals in the closing seconds? Even in Denver, this was an outstanding achievement by Matt Prater.
# 10 - Detroit Lions (previous: 8)
Stupid penalties again kept the Lions from a blowout win over the Vikings - but the missed face mask call at the end of the game may have saved their undisciplined season.
# 9 - New York Jets (previous: 12)
The Jets are making their late season run. Watch out.
# 8 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 11)
The Falcons control their own destiny now. A Wild Card spot is theirs to lose.
# 7 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 2)
Two losses in the last three weeks have hurt the 49ers. A trip to Pittsburgh should do little to help them recover their early-season form.
# 6 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 7)
Another solid, if not glamorous, division victory has kept Pittsburgh in the playoff chase. However, with Baltimore playing so well, the Steelers could just as easily finish the #1 overall seed or the #6 Wild Card.
The Creative Elite~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - New England Patriots (previous: 6)
The Patriots are a win away from clinching the division, but Brady better keep on throwing the ball if New England hopes to gain a bye-week advantage.
# 4 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 5)
The 49ers have stumbled and with games remaining against Minnesota, Atlanta and Carolina, New Orleans is primed to steal the NFC's remaining first-round bye.
# 3 - Houston Texans (previous: 3)
Yates picked up the Texans when the defense and running game failed to deliver. If the Texans continue to gain confidence from tough, close wins, they could be a surprising force once the second season starts.
# 2 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 4)
At this point, Baltimore is the best team in the AFC.
# 1 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 1)
The Packers are playing at a level other teams can only dream about.
Week 14 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Tennessee Titans (-6), San Francisco 49ers (-5), Dallas Cowboys (-3), Cincinnati Bengals (-3), Miami Dolphins (-3)
The Biggest Movers - San Diego Chargers (+7), Denver Broncos (+6), New York Giants (+6), Jacksonville Jaguars (+5), Atlanta Falcons (+4)
Maintaining The Status Quo - Green Bay Packers (1), Houston Texans (3), Chicago Bears (14), Washington Redskins (25), Cleveland Browns (26), Kansas City Chiefs (27), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLVI Favorite ~ After Week 14
Green Bay Packers
Check back later tonight for picks of the Jaguars-Falcons game.
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