Week 6 NFL Power Rankings: 49ers Back On Top
Now that every team has played at least four games, it is time to reinstate the Power Ranking formula. My formula takes into account not only win percentage, but also margin of victory, strength of schedule and win-loss trends. In the end, every team is given a Power Number.
All the numbers used come from pro-football-reference.com. I stand by the numbers, but I encourage you to disagree in the comments below.
1. San Francisco 49ers (Power Number: 4.27): San Fran continues to thrash lesser opponents. Other than the loss to the Vikings, the 49ers have dominated all who have taken the field against them. Will the Giants be next?
2. Chicago Bears (4.24): It seemed like the Bears were stuck at 3 points for far too long against Jacksonville, but just poured it on the rest of the way.
3. Houston Texans (4.08): Many will say that the Texans should be #1, and they would be wrong.
4. Atlanta Falcons (3.41): Two close calls in a row to lesser teams have raised some questions, but sometimes those tough games will benefit a team in the playoffs.
5. Baltimore Ravens (3.24): The Ravens showed once again that they play down to their opponents, especially on the road. They got the win, but it sure cost them at least a spot or two on this list.
6. Minnesota Vikings (2.64): I’m not confident in the Vikings to keep this up all season, but for now they are winning games and deserve to be here.
7. New England Patriots (2.355): The Patriots look like they are clicking and do not seem to have much to threaten them in the AFC East.
8. Arizona Cardinals (2.20): The Thursday night loss to the Rams knocked a little luster off the Cards shocking start to 2012, but they have a lot of time to prove that they belong.
9. Denver Broncos (1.93): The Broncos are the highest ranking team with a losing record. All their losses have come against teams ranked above them.
10. New York Giants (1.71): If the G-men would play a full game, they would be much more impressive.
11. Seattle Seahawks (1.56): Imagine how good this team could be if they had a good QB…a legitimate threat at WR would help too.
12. St. Louis Rams (1.50): The NFC West is suddenly the toughest in pro football. The Rams round out the division at #12. Jeff Fisher has them playing with heart and believing they can win.
13. San Diego Chargers (1.255): The offense is mediocre. The defense is above average. The Chargers can make a living just beating the rest of the AFC West and probably win the division.
14. Green Bay Packers (1.177): What can you say about the Packers? Losses to the Seahawks (say what you want, but they did not play well enough to win) and the Colts sure makes it seem like they are no longer an elite team.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (0.72): The Bengals have looked good in their wins and shaky in their losses. They have struggled against better defenses and will have a hard time making it to 8-8 this year.
16. Miami Dolphins (0.477): The Dolphins defense have not given up a hundred yards rushing in a game; twice they gave up less than 30 yards. The defense will keep them in games while Tannehill matures.
17. Washington Redskins (0.433): Slide! RG3 might miss a game. The Redskins need to learn how to close out a game. They have been in every game, but keep letting them slip away.
18. Dallas Cowboys (0.37): Questions are plentiful in Dallas. They have no running game and unreliable receivers. Say what you will about their problems, but it is time to start thinking about a different QB for 2013.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (0.365): It was ugly, but Pittsburgh desperately needed a win and they got that…at least.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (0.34): The turnover bug bit the Eagles again. I guess Vick didn’t feel the need to protect the ball against Pittsburgh. If he wants to lead this team into the playoffs, he might want to consider protecting the ball every game.
21. Detroit Lions (0.213): The Lions are one of 2012s biggest disappointments. All that hype and momentum from last season is gone and we are left with a very talented, but mediocre offense.
22. Indianapolis Colts (-0.005): “Chuck Strong” worked for the Colts on Sunday. The expectations are low this year, but they have been competitive, for the most part.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-0.037): I’ve probably said the same thing every week, but here it goes again: Josh Freeman is dragging this team down. His accuracy is questionable.
24. New York Jets (-0.0867): The Jets put up a decent fight on Monday night, but they are too inconsistent in all phases to be a real contender.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (-0.23): I was a bit surprised to see that the numbers put Jacksonville at 25. I would have thought they would have been in the 30s…maybe they are not as bad as I thought. Maybe…
26. Buffalo Bills (-0.333): So what does over $100 million get you? A defense that gives up 621 yards in one game…at home.
27. New Orleans Saints (-0.345): As Chris Berman would say: “The Saints got off the schnide.” And it’s about time. Will this be a turning point for a talent filled team or just a high point in what will be a down year?
28. Carolina Panthers (-0.365): Sophomore Slump? Sure, but nothing seems to be working quite right for the Panthers. I think they will level out and finish at 8-8 (+/- 1).
29. Cleveland Browns (-0.736): Cleveland did it again. They showed everyone what they are capable of, and it was impressive. But they couldn’t maintain it for 4 quarters. On 37 called pass plays, the Browns gave up zero sacks to the Giants.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (-1.34): So the Chiefs defense finally showed up and the offense failed to show up. If you cheered when Cassell got hurt, you should sell your Chiefs jersey to a real fan and move to a cave because you don’t deserve to have football anymore.
31. Tennessee Titans (-1.367): I said it in the preseason rankings: The Titans were a team on the verge, but I couldn’t tell on what they were on the verge of. Well, it seems they were just about ready to stink. They have talent in the right places, but just cannot seem to put it together.
32. Oakland Raiders (-1.563): There were high hopes for 2012 in Oakland. There’s still time, but it’s looking like hope will have to wait until 2013.
Good reasoning Re: Texans.
Why would people be wrong to say Texans aren't #1? Gotta hear the logic there. I know there's an argument for it, but I personally don't buy it. 49ers aren't a bad substitute, though. With that said, not sure it makes any kind of sense that CHI is above Houston. I guess I just don't get how both undefeated teams are not in the top two. But I'd love to hear why.
Honestly, If I was doing the rankings subjectively Houston would be 1 and Atlanta would be 2, with the Niners at 3. But I prefer using the formula, as it eliminates my own personal feelings…thus Pittsburgh is sitting at 19. The formula places equal weight on margin of victory and strength of schedule. So if the Texans had given the Jets a sound beating, they would be on top. It's so early in the season, that little things can change the power number a lot. It evens out a little better later in the season.
I love these kind of discussions — rankings always rankle people (see what I did there?). I would disagree with Houston at 3 — I've watched the Jets play both teams, and despite the shutout and the close Monday night game, I thought Houston was the better team. Great balance, efficient, skill all over the field. Niners have looked dominant though, so I can't blame you Bears are not #2. Offensively they have been inconsistent and the loss of Jeffery will put a spotlight on Hester and Bennett at WR and they are average at best wide-outs. If defenses key on Marshall, that offense will have to live through Forte's legs or get TE Davis more involved, which is possible.
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