2006 ARCHIVE

PRE-PLAYOFF POWER RANKINGS (2006) - The BIG ones (see many OTHER POWER RANKINGS below):

TEAM	Bears	Chargers	Colts	Patriots	Ravens	Saints
#1 Rank (5 pts)		1111111 (7)		1	1
#2 Rank (4 pts)	11	1		1	11111 (5)
#3 Rank (3 pts)	1	1	111	1	111
#4 Rank (2 pts)	1		11	11111 (5)
#5 Rank (1 pt)	111		11	1		11
TOTAL POINTS	16 (#4)	42 (#1)	15 (#5)	23 (#3)	31 (#2)	2 (#6)

Power Rankings are a fun display of the 32 NFL teams broken down in a #1 to #32 ranking. The rankings are not anything official. Most ranking systems are developed with some sort of statistical backing, but can also include subjective ("feel") determinations. Some rankings, like DVOA, put more weight on recent performance. I personally feel the DVOA, Aikman, and Sagarin systems provide the best analysis of a team's "rank". Though the calculations chosen for these systems may not be perfect, and are certainly arguable, they at least rank teams based purely on numbers instead of preference. Then a subjective written evaluation is added to that ranking, which may or may not be baised. Also remember, small differences in numerical rankings are usually not statistically significant! I may soon include the COLDHARDFACTS.com article to the top nine (making it 10) because their analysis and statements about teams are great. The "COVERS" articles might also be added.

In assembling this list of rankings, it should be noted that the best statistics are those in which a large sample is provided for analysis. You will never be able to argue your team is actually the best, but if you're going to try, you may as well have NUMBERS to back yourself up. But remember, a win is a win, and in the playoffs your wins mute your numbers. These Power Rankings change significantly from week to week. Each week the NFL brings great surprises of parity. This equates to some exciting Post Season play were each win determines the fate of two teams, all the through the SUPER BOWL! GOOD LUCK to your favorite NFL TEAMS! Why Rank the teams to begin with? Well, one, it's fun. Two, it will help new NFL fans to get a quick glimpse at the teams and a few nice facts. Third, you can use it help predict some things, like in the following article on SEEDING (note, the following article talks of official seedings in the playoffs, not POWER RANKINGS).

(based on sample of the 9 MOST RECENT postings of BIG ONES above). Each #1 rank is worth 5 points, #2 worth 4, and so on to #5 rank worth 1. The Chargers have a significantly backed up #1 rating based on this sample of the most well-known ranking systems from major sports writer networks. The Ravens are an obvious #2. Individual writers seem undecided on the #3 spot, but the Patriots have a solid grasp on the #3 spot because of many #4 ranks and a few higher ranks. Only the Chargers, Ravens and Patriots got at least a 1-5 ranked vote from all 9 of the rankings systems above. The Saints, while the #2 seed in the NFC, have not been statistically strong enough for most writers to believe what they see. Obviously, only the playoffs will determine that this year. In summary, the NFL is NOT the BCS. You don't win based on your seed. You win by winning until you win the big one! In case you are wondering, using the other Power Rankings listed below would probably put the Chargers even more favorably at #1 and the Ravens more favorably at #2, as if that's possible.

TEAM	Bears	Chargers	Colts	Patriots	Ravens	Saints
#1 Rank (5 pts)		1111111 (7)		1	1
#2 Rank (4 pts)	11	1		1	11111 (5)
#3 Rank (3 pts)	1	1	111	1	111
#4 Rank (2 pts)	1		11	11111 (5)
#5 Rank (1 pt)	111		11	1		11
TOTAL POINTS	16 (#4)	42 (#1)	15 (#5)	23 (#3)	31 (#2)	2 (#6) ]

Interesting notes: JAX received a #4 rank from the Aikman Ratings. No other team OUT of the playoffs received a top 5 vote. The Philadelphia Eagles got a #5 nod from DVOA rankings.

USING only the Saragin, DVOA, and AIKMAN ratings, the list would produce a 3 WAY TIE!!!!

#1 Chargers: 12 points
#1 Ravens: 12
#1 Patriots: 12 points
#4 Bears: 4 points
#5 Colts: 3 points
#6 Jacksonville: 2 points (say what -- they aren't even in the playoffs ;)