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 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 31)
Just when you think the Jaguars couldn't possibly get any worse, they open up the season by scoring nothing more than a safety before the home crowd. This might end up being a very long season for the Jaguars and their two faithful fans. They should just sign Tebow and bring him back home. It's not like they have anything to lose at this point.
# 31 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 22)
All the potential in the world, but the Browns just continue to play like, well… the Browns.
# 30 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 20)
Sure, the Panthers took on the Seahawks, but even against Seattle Cam Newton and company should have been able to manage more than a single touchdown.
# 29 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 15)
The defending Super Bowl Champions have a lot to prove following their opening night loss to the Broncos.
# 28 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 14)
Injuries have already taken their toll on this aging team.
The Creatively Challenged~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 26)
Pryor showed flashes of brilliance in his first game at the helm of the Raiders. They will get better if he can improve his game and be more consistent.
# 26 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 18)
If only Adrian Peterson could throw the ball and play defense, the Vikings would be nigh unstoppable.
# 25 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 28)
Palmer to Fitzgerald could be big this year… the Cardinals still are outside the playoff picture, but they could surprise some people before the season is over.
# 24 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 24)
So close to upsetting the Patriots week one, the Bills still have to prove they can win games before anyone will take them seriously.
# 23 - Washington Redskins (previous: 10)
RGIII is back! And very, very rusty… The Redskins showed what they could do in the second half against the Eagles, now they just have to get their football legs back under them so they can play a full game.
# 22 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 17)
That was a terrible way to start the season.
# 21 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 11)
The Packers showed some spit and fire, but were still overmatched by the 49ers.
The Remarkably Average~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 6)
The division is still there for them if they want it, but the Falcons will have to take out the Saints when they play them at home later this year if they hope to repeat as division champions.
# 19 - New York Giants (previous: 7)
Anybody need a running back? I feel for David Wilson. I hope he can win his job back, because he is a talented player, but once in Coughlin's doghouse, it's hard to climb back out again.
# 18 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 12)
If the Bengals can truly establish a running game and become two-dimensional, they will be difficult to stop.
# 17 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 9)
Nothing worse than blowing a 21-point lead in the second half on national TV. The only good thing about that loss was that most of the eastern seaboard went to bed thinking the Chargers won…
# 16 - New York Jets (previous: 29)
Ugly, ugly win over the Buccaneers. Could bode well for their Thursday Night game against the Patriots.
# 15 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 32)
A nice, solid win for the Chiefs… but anybody should be able to beat the Jaguars. We'll know soon enough if the Chiefs are really going to challenge for anything more than the #1 draft pick next year.
# 14 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 25)
I'm not sure what to make of the Titans. That game against Pittsburgh didn't show us much.
# 13 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 21)
A tough, gritty come-from-behind win is just what this young team needed to propel them on to bigger and better things.
The Fortunate Seven~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 30)
The blur offense certainly slowed down in the second half, but it sure was impressive. Now, as long as it doesn't get Vick killed, the Eagles should be fine.
# 11 - Detroit Lions (previous: 27)
Detroit survived Adrian Peterson… now how will they fare against the rest of the league?
# 10 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 16)
Dallas has never beaten the Giants in their new stadium. They've never forced the Giants to commit 6 turnovers, either. Both those are good signs for the rest of the year.
# 9 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 19)
The Saints are off to a fast, strong start after knocking out their division rivals. If they can stay the course, they'll be on their way to the playoffs.
# 8 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 13)
They shouldn't have needed so much Luck to get by the Oakland Raiders. Still, a victory is a victory.
# 7 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 23)
Can the Dolphins actually play both offense and defense? Sure, they went up against the Browns, but they'll take any win they can get these days.
# 6 - Chicago Bears (previous: 8)
A tough, comeback win against an AFC favorite. The Bears may not be flashy, but they do know how to win games.
The Creative Elite~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Houston Texans (previous: 4)
Their season could have collapsed in San Diego on Monday, but they rallied and now have the confidence to believe they can win no matter what the odds are against them.
# 4 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 5)
The 49ers handled the Packers with relative ease, considering how good of a team Green Bay is.
# 3 - New England Patriots (previous: 2)
At home or on the road, the Patriots should not need a last-second field goal in order to beat the Buffalo Bills. A quick turn-around against a hated rival should help them get their groove back… or knock them further off stride.
# 2 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 3)
It's always difficult to win on the road in the NFL, even more so for a West Coast team traveling back east. The Seahawks proved they can win a close, grind-it-out kind of game last weekend. Now they need to show they can win the shoot-outs as well.
# 1 - Denver Broncos (previous: 1)
Enough can't be said about Manning's performance on opening night. And now that he has a solid defense to get him the ball back, few teams will be able to hang with the Broncos over four quarters.
Week 1 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Atlanta Falcons (-14), Pittsburgh Steelers (-14), Baltimore Ravens (-14), Washington Redskins (-13), New York Giants (-12)
The Biggest Movers - Philadelphia Eagles (+18), Kansas City Chiefs (+17), Miami Dolphins (+16), Detroit Lions (+16), New York Jets (+13)
Maintaining The Status Quo - Denver Broncos (1), Buffalo Bills (24)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLVIII Favorite ~ After Week 1
Denver BroncosCheck back later this evening for the Thursday Night game predictions...
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