Statsational Playoff Power Rankings

Taking just the games played in the playoffs here is how the power rankings stack up.

Rank	Teams	Power Rating
1	Baltimore	31.97
2	Seattle	31.09
3	San Francisco	31.00
4	Houston	27.74
5	Atlanta	26.18
6	New England	24.54
7	Green Bay	20.75
8	Minnesota	18.68
9	Denver	17.98
10	Indianapolis	16.48
11	Cincinnati	16.33
12	Washington	15.49

Statsational Championship Week Power Rankings

Here is what the power rankings look like going into the Super Bowl.

Rank	Teams	Power Rating
1	Denver	29.44
2	New England	28.52
3	Seattle	28.29
4	San Francisco	28.13
5	Houston	24.64
6	Green Bay	24.57
7	Atlanta	24.49
8	Baltimore	24.41
9	Chicago	24.29
10	NY Giants	23.51
11	Cincinnati	22.86
12	Pittsburgh	22.85
13	Carolina	22.57
14	Washington	22.39
15	Dallas	21.83
16	Minnesota	21.75
17	Detroit	21.72
18	New Orleans	21.19
19	Tampa Bay	20.33
20	St. Louis	20.30
21	San Diego	19.64
22	Miami	18.41
23	Indianapolis	17.95
24	Cleveland	17.77
25	NY Jets	17.46
26	Arizona	17.07
27	Philadelphia	16.92
28	Buffalo	16.80
29	Oakland	15.85
30	Tennessee	14.61
31	Kansas City	13.58
32	Jacksonville	12.53

2013 NFL Playoff Analysis

A common misconception, in all major sports, is that the best team wins the championship.  That's what the playoffs are supposed to give us right?  It is the reason many have pushed for a playoff system in college football.  After all we want to see the best team win.  But you have a better chance of seeing a weaker team win it all in a playoff system than you would without.  Was there any doubt New England was the best team in 2007?  They lost one game all season but it was in the Super Bowl.  It took the catch of all catches to do it but they lost.  Sports fans say they want the best team to win on the field but what they really want is the excitement a playoff system brings.

Over the last decade, just two of the 13 teams that had the best regular season record, or tied for the best record, went on to win the Super Bowl. The 2002 Buccaneers and the 2003 Patriots.

With that said we know the best team does not always win.  So betting on a huge favorite in a playoff system is often foolish.  There is not enough value if you just take the top team each year.  What you need to figure out is what favorites can you eliminate and which long shots are live.

Every year, before the playoffs, I run every team through 3 filters to determine a potential winner for the Super Bowl.  It is a very basic strategy but a good way to weed out the teams that are highly unlikely to win it all.

Here are my filters

1. Team must have a total yardage differential >36 (just 6 teams won the Super Bowl with less)

2. Teams must be + in turnover differential (just 6 teams won the Super Bowl with a - differential)

3. SRS from Pro Footbal Reference >5.9 (just 8 teams had a lower ranking including the 2006 Colts at 5.9)

Here is a chart of the past Super Bowl Winners

Year	Team	YPG Differential	Turnover Differential	SRS
1966	Green Bay	48	18	13.5
1967	Green Bay	70	3	9.4
1968	NY Jets	120	15	7.9
1969	Kansas City	103	8	11.9
1970	Baltimore	21	-2	0.4
1971	Dallas	112	16	9.9
1972	Miami	124	18	11
1973	Miami	59	1	13.4
1974	Pittsburgh	93	7	6.8
1975	Pittsburgh	88	5	14.2
1976	Oakland	58	-4	8.5
1977	Dallas	114	7	7.8
1978	Pittsburgh	52	7	8.2
1979	Pittsburgh	124	-10	11.9
1980	Oakland	0	5	4.2
1981	San Francisco	45	23	6.2
1982	Washington	47	8	7.4
1983	Los Angeles	59	-13	6.8
1984	San Francisco	74	16	12.7
1985	Chicago	106	23	15.9
1986	NY Giants	39	11	9
1987	Washington	36	-3	3.9
1988	San Francisco	83	12	4.8
1989	San Francisco	103	12	10.7
1990	NY Giants	37	20	7.7
1991	Washington	91	18	16.6
1992	Dallas	105	7	9.9
1993	Dallas	53	6	9.6
1994	San Francisco	76	11	11.6
1995	Dallas	49	2	9.7
1996	Green Bay	86	15	15.3
1997	Denver	75	10	10.7
1998	Denver	72	10	8.9
1999	St Louis	107	5	11.9
2000	Baltimore	65	23	8
2001	New England	(29)	7	4.3
2002	Tampa Bay	60	17	8.8
2003	New England	23	17	6.9
2004	New England	47	9	12.8
2005	Pittsburgh	38	7	7.8
2006	Indianapolis	47	7	5.9
2007	NY Giants	26	-9	3.3
2008	Pittsburgh	75	4	9.8
2009	New Orleans	46	11	10.8
2010	Green Bay	49	10	10.9
2011	NY Giants	9	7	1.6

This seasons playoff teams

Year	Team	Differential Per Game	Turnover Differential	SRS
2012	Denver	107	-1	10.1
2012	New England	55	25	12.8
2012	San Francisco	67	9	10.2
2012	Houston	49	12	3.5
2012	Seattle	44	13	12.2
2012	Green Bay	23	7	7.3
2012	Washington	6	20	3.4
2012	Cincinnati	13	4	2.1
2012	Atlanta	4	13	6.4
2012	Baltimore	2	9	2.9
2012	Minnesota	(13)	-1	3.4
2012	Indianapolis	(12)	-12	-4.7

1. Denver Broncos  (13-3) 2-1

The Broncos finished the season in my rankings where they spent most of it, number 1.  It is hard to argue that they are not the best team in the league.  They are the number 1 seed in the AFC, tied for the best record in the league.  They did however struggle against the better teams in the league.  Their record against the playoff teams is 2-3.  All three losses came early in the season as Manning was getting used to his new team.  The Broncos miss qualifying as a Super Bowl winner by 1 turnover.  That is the excuse I need to throw out the chalk and look elsewhere.

2. New England Patriots (12-4) 5-2

The Patriots are right where they usually are at this time of the season, in the playoffs with a bye week.  The AFC East was weak so the schedule for the Pats was a bit easier than most other teams.  In games against playoff teams they were 3-3 but two of those losses were against NFC Teams.  Many have been down on the Patriots because of perceptions.  The Pats suffer from the same thing the Yankees do.  We expect them to win every year even though that is unrealistic.  Add in two disappointing losses in their last two Super Bowl appearances and it becomes en vogue to bet against the Pats.  They qualify easily on all 3 Super Bowl criteria.  While I hate taking chalk if you must this is the team to take.

3. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) 4-1

This team should have been in the Super Bowl last season if not for a freak turnover on special teams in the Championship game.  Since then they have continued to win and made a major change at QB.  Their defense is number 1 ranked while the offense is 9th.  This team can run it ranked 5th in rushing.  They do not allow you to run it on them ranked 2nd in stopping the run.  They played the 6th toughest schedule this season.  Against playoff teams they went 3-2.  The 49ers qualify on all 3 Super Bowl qualifiers.  With that they must be considered as a bet to win the Super Bowl.

4. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) 6-1
The top seed in the NFC gets little respect but probably for good reason.  This team has been in this spot before and the results were not good.  Matt Ryan has never won a playoff game.  He has to win 3 to win it all.  The Falcons seem to be the Notre Dame of the NFL this season.  They played lesser teams real close all year but were able to win most of those games.  Bettors feel it is a matter of time before their luck runs out.  Against playoff teams Atlanta was 2-0 but they caught Denver and Washington early in the season.  Atlanta only out gains its opponents by 4 ypg.  That is well below the 36 ypg I am looking for.  I am going to stay clear of Atlanta and look for them to get upset at home.

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-5) 9-1

My 3rd ranked team overall and top NFC team, the Seahawks might be the hottest team in the league.  They won 7 of their last 8 and a few of those were in dominating fashion including a drubbing of the 49ers two weeks ago.  They are dominant at home winning all 8 games and covering 7 of them.  On the road they were 3-5 SU.  That does not bode well for a team that will be on the road the entire playoffs.  Against playoff teams Seattle is 4-1.  Seattle runs it well, ranked 3rd overall.  The defense is their strong suit as they rank 2nd in the league.  They meet the 3 criteria and at 9-1 are worth a shot if you are looking for a long shot.

6. Green Bay Packers (11-5) 9-1

My 5th ranked team overall, the Packers get a huge benefit of the doubt when it comes to bettors and analysts.  I heard an analyst say SF was much more inconsistent than Green Bay and so he likes Green Bay in the playoffs.  I am not sure what metric is used to determine consistency but considering SF had a slightly better record I would say they are pretty close in consistency.  Now I suppose you can look at the second half of the season and say GB has had a better record but I think this more comes from the perception of the Packers as opposed to the realities.  The Packers have Aaron Rodgers and they have won before.  We have seen it so therefore it is not crazy to think it can happen again.  The Pack are 2-4 against playoff teams.  You get a price here at 9-1 but I am not a buyer.  The lack of a consistent running game and not being able to stop the run will cost them.  The NFC has 4 of the top 5 rushing teams in the NFL, all are in the playoffs.

7. Houston Texans (12-4) 20-1

Houston ranks 7th in my power rankings.  This was my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl but right now I am not feeling great about it.  Houston has played the 2nd easiest schedule in the league.  Against playoff teams they went 3-4.  You may ask how playing 7 games against playoff teams constitutes an easy schedule.  Well Indianapolis is not rated very highly in my rankings and they get 2 games each with Jacksonville and Tennessee.  Houston ranks 8 in defense and 11 in offense.  At 20-1 you are certainly getting a price but the SRS of 3.5 is keeping me away.  When you look at the long shots who have won this thing they do not seem to fit the profile.  This was a highly touted team stumbling into the playoffs as opposed to a sleeper team who gets hot at the right time.  I will pass here.

8. Washington Redskins (10-6) 20-1

If you are looking for hype here it is.  I was a big RGIII fan coming into the season and he has not done anything to disappoint.  He is one of 3 rookie QB's starting this weekend.  But the Redskins are a slightly better than mediocre team.  13th rank overall, 23rd defense and 4th offense.  Their offense prowess is coming from the run game in which they are tops in the league.  Washington runs it for 51.57 more ypg than their opponents give up.  The problem is they give up 38 ypg more than opponents average in the air.  Against playoff teams they are 2-2.  They are underdogs at home in their first game.  It will be tough to see them winning it all.

9. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) 25-1

I could never put money on a team that has been this bad down the stretch to win the Super Bowl.  Baltimore has lost 4 of 5 and if not for a 4th and 29 conversion, which I still think was short, it would be 5 of 6.  You will hear about motivation to win one for Ray but how much more motivation do you need?  Are the playoffs not enough to get you up for a game?  Baltimore can be run on and Ray Lewis won't be much help there.  He is not the same player he once was.  They are just 2-4 against playoff teams.  The Ravens probably should have won the Super Bowl last season.  This year they are taking a step back.  The Ravens miss in 2 of 3 categories so I will not be considering them to win it all.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) 50-1

The Bengals are a team not talked about much but would you rather have the Bengals at 50-1 or the Ravens at 25-1.  I think I would take the Bengals at that price over the Ravens.  Cincinnati ranks 10th in my rankings overall, 9th in defense and 14th in offense.  They have won 7 of their last 8 games but yet have little buzz around them.  Against playoff teams they are 3-2.  The Bengals miss in 2 of 3 Super Bowl criteria but this price is too high.  I will not be playing it but they are the best of the bottom 4 teams.

11. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) 75-1

The Vikings are a bit of a surprise to be in the playoffs.  Not many people would have had them ahead of the Giants, Lions, Cowboys, Eagles, Bears, or Saints before the season.  But here they are.  They have done it with the 2nd best rushing attack in the NFL, just behind Washington in my rush rankings.  But the passing game is as bad as the running game is good.  They rank next to last in passing behind the Jets.  Overall that puts Minnesota at 15th in offense and 16th in defense.  The Vikings are 3-4 against playoff teams.  They rank 26th in pass defense.  They may have to play two of the better passing teams back to back in Green Bay and Atlanta to get to the Super Bowl.  They do not qualify in any of the 3 categories for a Super Bowl winner.  The Vikings will not win this year.

12.  Indianapolis Colts (11-5) 80-1

What a turn around from last season.  The Colts go from the worst record to the 5th seed in the playoffs.  The Colts have been helped by a weak division and weak out of division schedule.  When you look at the numbers its amazing they are 11-5.  They have been out gained and are -13 in turnovers.  They faired well against playoff teams going 3-2.  They are 27th on my list in defense.  The only thing they do well is pass the ball.  They rank 8th in passing.  I think they have done it with a bit of smoke and mirrors this year.  I will not be looking to the Colts to win the whole thing.

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