Power Rankings - Week 16 - Updated
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 4:39 PM EST
55 comments
Graphic by the Fantabulous Indy Lori
I must admit that I find myself slightly depressed that there are only 2 games left in the regular season.
Average Ranking: 1st
Fox Sports [Updated] ranks us 1st (+1): Though the Colts are the NFL's last unbeaten team, they're not flawless by any means. And certainly not invincible. The Colts have been ripe to be beaten, with nine of their 14 wins decided by one score or less. Updated - there's nothing I enjoy more than a back-handed compliment.
Walter Football ranks us 1st (+1): Indianapolis Colts (14-0) - Previously: #2 - The Colts won't have a shot at the Super Bowl if they sit Peyton Manning and the rest of the starters against the Jets and Bills.
And I'm not talking out of my anus. Here's proof:
The following teams rested their starters in Week 17 before a playoff game. This chart, which goes back to 2002, when the divisions re-aligned, shows how each squad performed in its initial postseason contest. The asterisks denote teams that had first-round byes, like the Colts will.
2008: Titans* - Loss SU (straight up), Loss ATS (against the spread)
2008: Colts - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2007: Colts* - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2007: Jaguars - Win SU, Loss ATS
2007: Steelers - Loss SU, Win ATS
2007: Buccaneers - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2006: Eagles - Win SU, Loss ATS
2006: Saints* - Win SU, Loss ATS
2005: Colts* - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2004: Colts - Win SU, Win ATS
2004: Steelers* - Win SU, Loss ATS
2004: Chargers - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2004: Eagles* - Win SU, Win ATS
2002: 49ers - Win SU, Loss ATS
In short, teams resting their starters in Week 17 are 7-7 straight up and 3-11 against the spread in their first playoff game. You may look at that and say, "Well 7-7 straight up isn't so bad!" Wrong. Every single team on that list, save for one, was a favorite. Going 7-7 straight up when you're expected to win isn't exactly a good thing.
Pete Prisco @ CBS ranks us 1st (nc): They are the last of the unbeaten teams. But do they go for it? That's the big question. Don't push it. Quality problem eh gang?
Vic Carucci at NFL.com ranks us ( will update when it's posted)
NFL.com's Collective Brain Trust ranks us 1st (+1): I see that LT got around to delivering my message to Theismann!
Michael Silver @ Yahoo ranks us 1st (+1): Who’s the genius that picked these guys not to make the playoffs? You mean idiot, right Michael?
WEEI in Bahstahn ranks us 1st (+1): 14-0 The Colts will finish off the regular season undefeated after they take down the Jets and Bills over the next two weeks.
ESPN ranks us 1st (+1): Now that the Colts are the lone undefeated team, there's no question which squad should be ranked No. 1. (Kuharsky) Now even Kuharsky had to vote them #1
Sporting News ranks us1st (+1): They should play the starters and go for 16-0. The players want to play, and it will help keep them sharp. Plus some love for our D (Emphasis mine): We know how good Peyton Manning is. We know how good the Colts' offense is. But their defense has been underrated. Hardly anyone talks about the absence of injured star safety Bob Sanders anymore because the Colts' defense remains stellar without him. This team looks better than the Colts team that won Super Bowl 41. Now it must prove that during the playoffs, whether it goes 16-0 or not.
National Football Post ranks us 1st (+1): The Colts move up to our top spot with another fourth quarter Manning comeback that might have locked up the MVP award
WhatIfSports ranks us 2nd (nc)
Peter King @ SI ranks us 1st (+1): 1. Indianapolis (14-0). Deservedly, the best team in football. Colts have won low-scoring affairs and shootouts. The one thing that's getting no attention, wrongly, is the Colts' cornerback play. When Indy lost Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson to injury, I was sure they'd have to play games in the 30s each week to win. But they've held 11 of 14 foes to 23 points or fewer, and rookies Jeraud Powers (third round, Auburn) and Jacob Lacey (free agent, Oklahoma State) have been clinging and tough, stunning for rookies playing quality time against the Randy Mosses, Andre Johnsons and, last Thursday, Torry Holt. Credit the Colts' excellent scouting process -- led by director of player personnel Tom Telesco and new GM Chris Polian, with president Bill Polian overseeing the whole deal -- for uncovering an undersized guy like Lacey, who made the interception that clinched the win over Jacksonville Thursday. "He's small but with really good cover ability,'' Bill Polian said over the weekend. "Just great ball sense. Remember the Bill Bradley book, A Sense of Where You Are? That's what this kid reminds me of."
USA Today ranks us 1st (+1): The one constant of the 2009 season has been a Colts victory in every week. Nobody has been better.
CHFF ranks us 1st (+1): Last week: 35-31 win at Jacksonville. Over the last seven games, the Colts have been outgained 2,688 to 2,541 and have committed 13 turnovers while forcing 14. How they’ve gone 7-0 over that stretch will be the focus of the "CSI: Indianapolis" series premiere.
Don Banks @ SI anks us 1st (+1): Have I mentioned lately how in the preseason I foresaw the Colts taking a modest step back this season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001 and obviously not winning their customary 12 or so games? Nailed that one, I did. After letting the Saints have their fun, Indy's right back atop the heap in our power rankings, and if the Colts play like they did in Jacksonville, nobody's knocking them off any time soon. Hey, where's the Super Bowl this season? Miami, huh? That worked pretty well for Peyton Manning and Co. the last time. Ok, this is what I've been saying all season! Ouch, just hurt my arm patting myself on the back!
I wish you all the Happiest Holidays possible!
GO COLTS!!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.
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Here you go....
Although, this one cracks me up:
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
All you fuckers jumpin on the bandwagon now that your darlins' lost
Sorry, we’re all full, find somewhere else to sit.
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
by SpazMo on Dec 22, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
Damn straight!
Damn straight.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 9:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I also think it's worth
mentioning that Pete Prisco has had us at #1 for a long time now. There’s always room on the Colts bandwagon for Pete.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yea
pete’s loved us all year, he’s probably the driver of the bandwagon.
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
by SpazMo on Dec 23, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fuck that...
He might be in the band.
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 23, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't the band
stay in Baltimore?! lol
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 24, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boooooooooooooooo...........
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 24, 2009 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Walter Football does make a convincing case for not resting starters in Week 17...
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 22, 2009 4:48 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
I agree
and was surprised by the numbers. Apparently, it isn’t only an issue for the Colts and also apparently there are other teams in addition to the Colts. Who knew? lol
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What are you talking about?
They lost their credibility the second they started talking about how teams did against the spread. That has absolutely no relevance to the argument whatsoever.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
what he/she was saying is that the ATS argument is trying to point out that most teams played worse than expected in the game after resting. I agree it means nothing, but 7-7 isn’t the greatest when coming in as the projected winner.
by BurtonSnol3order on Dec 23, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How is it not relevant?
ATS is a reliable way of portraying a teams projected dominance over another team. If it were not reliable then gamblers would nearly always win and bookies would almost always lose and the gambling industry would quickly go out of business. Obviously this is not the case since there are still plenty of bookies around to take bets. The fact that rested teams consistently fall short of their projected score differential implies a trend.
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 23, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But when you get to the playoffs,
the only thing that matters is whether you win or not. I couldn’t care less how that team won or by what margin. All that matters is whether they won or not, and the 7-7 record of the teams after resting suggests that resting has no discernible impact on whether the team won their first round game or not. Add to that the fact that he’s not considering any of the individual cases of each team (such as the Colts having Freeney out for that 2007 playoff game) and the fact that the playoffs are the largest crapshoot in sports, and it further disproves the myth that there is a correlation between resting players in week 17 and winning in the first round of the playoffs.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
First off,
It doesn’t disprove anything. At the most it just doesn’t prove there is a correlation. And I don’t think you legitimately can say that if a team like Indy goes into the playoffs and draws a team like say the Ravens and is favored by 14.5 points and only beats them by one point it isn’t to some extent a shocker.
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 23, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But that's another thing
about judging ATS. If the Colts were favored by 14.5 points in your example and then won by 13, then that counts in that view as “underachieving” in the postseason game. Same thing if the Colts were favored by 3 points, and won by 1 point.
If you want to start talking about margins of victory and underachieving (which I still don’t agree with the premise of), it would be 10x more useful to look at the individual spreads for each game and the final margins then using a vague and moving target like covering the spread or not.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
It should definitely be looked at more closely game-by-game. The 14.5 point spread, however, was an exaggerated example. Rarely in the playoffs does a team command that large of a spread.
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 24, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You all are a little too complicated for me.
I say break it down to Win vs. Loss.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 24, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I was
arguing in the first place.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 24, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, then I agree!
hahahaha
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 24, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i just saw a video of EDGE in youtube and now im sad, goddam when are we gonna get another running-back like him, i know we'll never be able to
because there’s only one edge but i want a runningback with that kind of build and power and speed, since when did we go with slow and short runningbacks, but it is what it is, i love brown and addai anyways, but i would love to have edgerrin james right now with us, he could teach brown how to become great and help addai recover his old form.
I MISS YOU EDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing."
-Johnny Unitas-
"You're only as healthy as you feel."
-Travis Bickle-
by 805 on Dec 22, 2009 5:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cheer up little guy!
Maybe Santa will bring you one for Christmas…
Peyton believes!
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 22, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mine
mine
mine
mine
mine
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No MINE!
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
by Indy Lori on Dec 23, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Share?
;-)
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 23, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is getting hot
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
by SpazMo on Dec 23, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh look
SpazMo got a pic.
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Dec 23, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It fits him
pretty well.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
im removing it
its supposed to be animated with the eyes rotating between red and blue.
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
by SpazMo on Dec 23, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this one is better!!!
(actually its not, but I didnt want my kids face plastered here without the blinking eyes)
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
by SpazMo on Dec 23, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if im lucky, i want edge id trade brown and addai for him, just to sit on the bench
i think im gonna get his jersey, anyone know what color would look best white or blue,
also does he ever go to indy to visit cuz i want to see if i get his autoghraph
"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing."
-Johnny Unitas-
"You're only as healthy as you feel."
-Travis Bickle-
by 805 on Dec 22, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I totally recognize Indy Lori
behind that beard and those glasses
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Dec 22, 2009 5:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
haha
as if she’ll be offended…
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Dec 22, 2009 6:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Well it's a lock...
Santa ain’t bringin’ your naughty ass NOTHIN’ for Christmas!
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 22, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Naughty
can be a good thing, yes? heh heh heh
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Naughty
can be a VERY good thing…
/we are a sick, sick bunch of people lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Dec 22, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's your X-mas present, PTB...
Looks like you’re going to need it! ;)
by peytonsurdaddy on Dec 22, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You guys are killing me,
I’d dress up like Frankensteins Bride, if it got Peyton to sit on my lap! LOL
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
by Indy Lori on Dec 23, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Now that's all I want for Christmas!!!
Peyton Manning makes it Wayne on them hoes!!!!
by KMR24 on Dec 23, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Michael Silver admits his stupidity
You should too. (speaking to MSM)
As long as we have Peyton we will always have a chance to win.
by skywalker on Dec 22, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wish he would have spelled it out a little more clearly (like Don Banks did)
than just giving us a link. Baby steps I suppose.
Its funny, I have the preseason SI in which PK predicts that the Texans win the AFC South at 10-6 and the Colts get the WC at 10-6. I purposely kept it so I could send it to him with a little love note. I pulled it out last weekend after the Saints lost and we won our 23rd consecutive regular season game. And, oh yeah, clinched the division AND home field throughout the entire playoffs. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. =-) The road to the SB goes through Indy my friends, that’s just so sweet!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you going to send him that note?
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
by Cassieper on Dec 23, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes I will.
I’ll post it here first to get valuable inpute!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 23, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love it when He's wrong.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
by Indy Lori on Dec 23, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OH GOD NO!!!!!
damnit, now their all on our nuts….
Pretty sure Peter King’s report is a fucking Christmas Miracle. It’s accurate, and ACTUALLY SAYS SOMETHING RELEVANT!!
We are so screwed…
by vintagephoenix on Dec 22, 2009 10:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don't worry, folks, plenty of hate around...
Like Jason Cole still thinking there are five legitimate candidates for the MVP. That it’s still up in the air…
If you read what Walter Football site says under the Chargers…
Or MJD (completely silly) quarterback rankings.
The above is just in case Deion Sanders hate isn’t cutting for you. For the rest of you, Watch this!
by diagenesis on Dec 22, 2009 11:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Eh
I read the article, and I don’t think he’s saying that at all. He’s saying who he thinks the top five contenders for MVP are, not that he thinks all five are legit chances.
I think Manning, Rivers and Brees are the only ones where his qualifications don’t clearly rule the candidate out. And, barring a miracle, he implies (if he could vote, which he can’t) that it’s be for Manning.
Journalists are dumb enough without making up reasons to complain, I think.
by eltharion_doa on Dec 23, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A Gazillion cats cant' be wrong.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
by Indy Lori on Dec 23, 2009 3:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fox Sports has us #1...
they had website problems yesterday…they have a fresh ranking up now
by shoein on Dec 23, 2009 11:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the info!!!
I will update today.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 24, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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