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 - Oakland Raiders (previous: 32)
The Raiders won't be breaking their winless streak when they travel to Seattle this weekend. Their best chance for a win may not materialize until week 16 when they host the Buffalo Bills - and even that is anything but a sure win for them.
# 31 - Jacksonville Jaguars (previous: 31)
The Jaguars go right back to their losing ways.
# 30 - New York Jets (previous: 29)
I'm surprised the Jets waited as long as they did to bench Geno Smith. The kid may become a capable starter in the future, but right now he just doesn't have it.
# 29 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (previous: 30)
Tampa Bay hardly looked competitive against the Vikings.
# 28 - St. Louis Rams (previous: 28)
After knocking off the defending champions, the Rams fall to Kansas City in a game that isn't even close.
The Creatively Challenged~
Folly remains ever their mistress
# 27 - Tennessee Titans (previous: 27)
The Titans seem like they should be better than they are, but they just can't put everything together.
# 26 - Atlanta Falcons (previous: 25)
The biggest collapse in team history will not do anything to help Atlanta feel better about this season.
# 25 - Chicago Bears (previous: 22)
A Bears team without a defense just doesn't feel like the Chicago Bears.
# 24 - Carolina Panthers (previous: 23)
The Panthers continue to be inconsistent. At least they still control their own destiny in their division.
# 23 - Washington Redskins (previous: 26)
Colt McCoy played a brilliant game and the defensive game plan gave the Redskins a huge win over Dallas Monday Night. They still remain on the outside looking in, but they have given their fans some much needed hope that the season will not be a complete loss.
# 22 - New York Giants (previous: 19)
Fresh off their bye week, the Giants have a Monday Night date with an angry Colts team. It will be interesting to see how New York weathers that storm.
# 21 - Minnesota Vikings (previous: 24)
The defense has been playing well the last few weeks. The offense needs to figure out a way to score more than 20 points a game, something they have not done since they defeated the Falcons back in week 4.
The Remarkably Average~
Dancing the fine line between misfortune and glory
# 20 - Cincinnati Bengals (previous: 18)
Whether the play was called back or not, giving up an 80-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds of the game is completely inexcusable.
# 19 - Buffalo Bills (previous: 20)
The Bills beat the teams they should and lose to the teams they should.
# 18 - San Francisco 49ers (previous: 16)
Fresh off their bye week, San Francisco has a lot of work to do to try and catch the Cardinals.
# 17 - Miami Dolphins (previous: 15)
The Dolphins are back above .500 and have to win almost every game left on their schedule if they hope to keep pace with the Patriots in the division.
# 16 - Cleveland Browns (previous: 13)
Nothing like winning a field goal fest against the only winless team in the league.
# 15 - New Orleans Saints (previous: 21)
In a must-win game, the Saints won. Despite having a losing record, they are the team to beat in the weak NFC South.
# 14 - Houston Texans (previous: 14)
The Texans are far better than their .500 record would indicate.
# 13 - Seattle Seahawks (previous: 12)
The Seahawks continue to struggle, but leaving Carolina with an ugly win should help them in their quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
The Fortunate Seven~
The best of those not yet elite
# 12 - Pittsburgh Steelers (previous: 17)
Record day for Big Ben. Now if the Steelers could just play consistently, they could become a solid playoff contender.
# 11 - Green Bay Packers (previous: 6)
The Saints simply had to win the game on Sunday and Green Bay did not play at a level capable of handling that kind of desperation.
# 10 - San Diego Chargers (previous: 8)
The Chargers have followed up five straight wins with two straight losses. They'll have to play well on the road against a strong Miami team if they hope to get back to their winning ways.
# 9 - Kansas City Chiefs (previous: 11)
The Chiefs are quietly becoming a very strong playoff contender.
# 8 - Baltimore Ravens (previous: 5)
Pass interference aside, Steve Smith continues to energize the Baltimore Ravens.
# 7 - Philadelphia Eagles (previous: 2)
Can the Eagles win without scoring special teams or defensive touchdowns?
# 6 - Dallas Cowboys (previous: 3)
Tough loss at home. DeMarco Murray continues his record-pace, but injury concerns about Romo's back could slow the passing game down.
The Creative Elite~
Wielding misfortune at its finest
# 5 - Indianapolis Colts (previous: 4)
The Steelers completely demolished the Colts, but Indianapolis still lit up the scoreboard. Hard to look at this game as anything more than a fluke.
# 4 - Detroit Lions (previous: 7)
The Lions found magic overseas. Will that success propel them on to great things or did the Falcons highlight Detroit's weaknesses for the rest of the league to take advantage of?
# 3 - New England Patriots (previous: 10)
These are the Patriots we have come to know and love (or hate!) over the years.
# 2 - Arizona Cardinals (previous: 9)
Despite the lingering doubts, the Cardinals continue to win week in and week out.
# 1 - Denver Broncos (previous: 1)
The dominating win over the Chargers last Thursday night swept away any doubts about the Broncos maintaining control of their division.
Week 8 Power Ranking Awards:
The Free Fallers - Philadelphia Eagles (-5), Green Bay Packers (-5), Dallas Cowboys (-3), Baltimore Ravens (-3), Cleveland Browns (-3)
The Biggest Movers - Arizona Cardinals (+7), New England Patriots (+7), New Orleans Saints (+6), Pittsburgh Steelers (+5), Detroit Lions (+3)
Maintaining The Status Quo - Denver Broncos (1), Houston Texans (14), Tennessee Titans (27), St. Louis Rams (28), Jacksonville Jaguars (31), Oakland Raiders (32)
Creative Misfortune Super Bowl XLIX Favorites ~ After Week 8
AFC Favorite:
Denver Broncos
NFC Favorite:
Philadelphia Eagles
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