NFL, after week 9
| 1. New Orleans | 14.46 |
| 2. Indianapolis | 7.83 |
| 3. New England | 7.64 |
| 4. Pittsburgh | 6.57 |
| 5. Dallas | 6.12 |
| 6. Baltimore | 5.48 |
| 7. Cincinnati | 5.24 |
| 8. Atlanta | 4.82 |
| 9. Denver | 4.72 |
| 10. New York Jets | 4.49 |
| 11. Minnesota | 3.95 |
| 12. Houston | 3.66 |
| 13. Miami | 2.54 |
| 14. Philadelphia | 2.06 |
| 15. Arizona | 1.96 |
| 16. San Francisco | 1.11 |
| 17. San Diego | 0.42 |
| 18. New York Giants | -0.46 |
| 19. Carolina | -0.64 |
| 20. Buffalo | -0.74 |
| 21. Jacksonville | -1.12 |
| 22. Tennessee | -1.71 |
| 23. Chicago | -1.78 |
| 24. Green Bay | -2.72 |
| 25. Seattle | -5.45 |
| 26. Kansas City | -8.08 |
| 27. Washington | -8.28 |
| 28. Cleveland | -8.44 |
| 29. Oakland | -9.13 |
| 30. Detroit | -9.61 |
| 31. Tampa Bay | -10.55 |
| 32. St. Louis | -14.37 |
So is New Orleans really that good? Well, yes and no. Certainly, an undefeated record with wins over the Jets, Miami and Atlanta merits some credibility. However, their value has decreased each week, from 18.18 two weeks ago to 14.46 this week. This can happen when a team plays out of their mind the first few weeks. The Power Rank will place too high a value on teams that get out the door quickly, whether by good play or some lucky bounces. But this will change as weeks go by and the algorithm learns more about each team.
It's interesting to compare this week's rankings with the rankings from the end of last season. Only 16.5 points separate the top from the bottom, which is quite small compared to the range of 29 points this week. I also like how the winless Lions are not at the bottom, a spot occupied by glorious St. Louis. Lastly, the Arizona Cardinals are 21st!! No algorithm is perfect. Arizona did a great job peaking during the postseason, coming within a pick six of winning the Super Bowl against Pittsburgh. Marathoners know how to peak for the big race. Some of these strategies might be useful in team sports since people on remember championships.
I've been fascinated with Cincinnati since the last minute Brendan Stokley miracle in Denver cost them their first game. And now their crazy wide receiver taunts Ray Lewis and Baltimore and they still come out victorious? With Pittsburgh surging to fourth this week after thumping Denver at altitude, the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game this week becomes even more fascinating. Can we petition the league to have this game on Monday night instead of Baltimore's playing inept Cleveland?