On a weekly basis, your friendly Captain will provide you with a power ranking based on a mathematical formula that I have been using for several years. There are no preconceptions or assumptions in this formula. It does not know that the Browns are perennial doormats and the Colts typically win 12 games every year. It simply looks at the results of each game and gives us a number for the results to that point in the season. Here are the considerations/factors that go into the formula: Wins Losses Strength of Opponent Home Field Advantage Margin of Victory Yards gained Yards allowed Some of you will like these statistic-based rankings. Some of you will despise them and curse me a premature death. That’s why I’m here. Because the data sampling is small early in the season, there are sometimes wild swings in a team’s ranking from week to week, especially with a huge upset or a quality win. Without further ado, I offer you the power rankings after week 2 …………… #1 Steelers (2-0) 32.87 -- If they had an offense, it wouldn't even be close #2 Packers (2-0) 32.34 -- Trade for a running back. It won't kill you. #3 Bears (2-0) 26.58 -- The Bears have a passing offense? I've entered another dimension. #4 Colts (1-1) 21.66 -- Ho hum, another 12-win season coming? #5 Bucs (2-0) 20.59 -- I severely underestimated this team's talent level #6 Falcons (1-1) 19.08 -- Dark horse team to keep your eyes on #7 Texans (2-0) 17.82 -- Defense is still a concern but that offense keeps them in any ball game #8 Jets (1-1) 14.34 -- If Mark Sanchez keeps playing like he did Sunday, they WILL win the Super Bowl #9 Chiefs (2-0) 13.26 -- And they aren't even using Charles. Break up the Chiefs. #10 Chargers (1-1) 13.14 -- Get McNeil back on the field. Get rid of Jackson #11 Dolphins (2-0) 11.52 -- Winning ugly but wins are wins #12 Saints (2-0) 10.51 -- What? You expected them at #1 ? The formula doesn't know they are the SB champs. #13 Titans (1-1) 10.20 -- If VY plays at the top of his game every week, they are tough to beat #14 Bengals (1-1) 8.76 -- Not sure where they were in week 1 but they looked more like normal on Sunday #15 Ravens (1-1) 6.72 -- If they can just figure out how to beat the Bengals, they'll be fine #16 Giants (1-1) 5.16 -- Defense doesn't look any better than the 2009 version #17 Broncos (1-1) -0.36 -- Don't look as bad as I thought they would. Orton and the receivers are making things happen. #18 Redskins (1-1) -2.17 -- They found a million ways to lose that game Sunday #19 Seahawks (1-1) -3.06 -- Don't worry. Carroll will be back in the college game before long #20 Browns (0-2) -3.66 -- Highest ranked 0-2 team but when will Holmgren be standing on the sideline? #21 Raiders (1-1) -3.90 -- Actually gave some effort Sunday but still not living up to expectations #22 Cowboys (0-2) -4.08 -- Season is not over but they need to get things turned around and fast #23 Patriots (1-1) -5.82 -- Defense is still not championship-worthy #24 Eagles (1-1) -6.84 -- QB controversy already? #25 49ers (0-2) -8.94 -- They have the talent but are sloppy and undisciplined. #26 Cardinals (1-1) -10.44 -- They need Warner. Pray for his return Whiz. #27 Vikings (0-2) -13.02 -- Would they have been better off with TJax? #28 Jaguars (1-1) -17.46 -- The worst 1-1 team? Yep, I would agree with that. #29 Lions (0-2) -27.63 -- I think this team will climb with Stafford back. #30 Rams (0-2) -32.82 -- At least playing competitively this year #31 Panthers (0-2) -38.04 -- Trainwreck. Why did they hang onto Fox so long? #32 Bills (0-2) -41.45 -- I need a Brakos facepalm
that's what the NUMBERS say ........... not what I say .............. although, if you just became a fan of the nfl and had no preconceptions about any of the 32 teams, you would probably put the bucs in the top 10 based on their first 2 games. they've looked pretty good.
eh, that's your opinion from your assumptions and preconceptions. Thus far, just from an objective standpoint, if you think about both of the games that both teams played, the Browns took 2 quality opponents (according to the numbers) down to the wire, whereas the 49ers took 1 quality opponent down to the wire and got destroyed by a poor team (according to the numbers). Who is really better when you look at it that way? But at the end of the day, if the 49ers are that much better than the Browns, they will eventually pass them in the rankings so just give it some time. Like I said, early in the season there are wild swings from week to week with such small data samples. For instance, if the 49ers go on the road and destroy a quality opponent in the Chiefs this week, their ranking will soar.
