Half Time Power Rankings: How things change

[Jegpeg]

Just been looking at the Power Rankings from half way through the season.

You would expect by that time the power teams would start to being recognised but there is little relationship between that list and play-off seedings / Final record.

None of the top 3 in the Power Rankings (Lions, Colts and Chiefs) made the playoffs, 4th place Packers only just sneaked in. Of the two number one seeds we were 6th and the Broncos were 10th.

Sure some of the rankings were the selecvters having their favorite teams and injuries can change things a lot but it is a phenominal difference

NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Packers, Eagles inch closer to No. 1; Cowboys drop from top 20

 

[MORGULON]

It just shows me that most of the people running their mouth really don't have any idea what they're talking about. It's as bad as CNN

 

[projectorfreak]

Probably a bit of it has to come from last year scenarios and decades of the same
Remember when the cards were great in the regular season until the end of the year and playoffs came around , uhh wait, the early season power rankings kinda ruined my point but they are driven by belief so in no way relevant to actuality in most cases
I'm not sure where id have ranked us during the year
Definitely went up as the year went on
Go Hawks

 

[AROS]

Like the Pro Bowl, Power Rankings are largely popularity contests and biases of the author(s).

 

[keasley45]

I guess I don't get the uproar. These things exist because fans want to see their team recognized for their successes. None of the 'rankings' can ever possibly be an accurate reflection of who is truly a power and who isn't. At best, they are a snapshot assessment based on a blend of past and present performance and reflect the opinion of the person publishing them.

They are also inherently flawed because there is human bias involved, and 'reward' associated with bucking trends and appearing 'smarter' than other rankings by prematurely elevating 'upstart' teams, or giving undue credit to poor performing, past powerhouse teams.

None of it is scientific. It's all just sport's version of a really stupid beauty contest.

And the fact that we are talking about is proof that it's purpose is fulfilled.