via i37.tinypic.com

For your amusement, here are this week's numbers.  Enjoy!

RATINGS COMPUTATION (must-read for newbies):

          At its heart, this is a VERY simple method of calculating ratings, using only two stats.  The results aren't meant to be a perfect reflection of the real world; don't focus too narrowly on exactly where each team's totals are ranked.  The two components (O and D ratings) are often more revealing than the totals, don't overlook those.

          Here's how the ratings are calculated.  The first step is to calculate two simple stats:  Points For per Game, and Points Against per Game, for each team.  These two leaguewide data sets for offense & defense both conform to a "Bell Curve", or Normal Distribution, that can be graphed.  Depending on where each team lies on that graph, they have a value between 0 and 1.  (This isn't something pulled from thin air.  It's a very common, standardized statistical analysis technique.  The purpose is to more accurately measure each team's position within the ‘population' of all league teams.)  You now have every team rated from 0 to 1, on offense and on defense.  Add those two numbers and you've got a total rating for each team.  Last, multiply by 50 to convert the ratings onto a 0-to-100 scale, making them more readable and intuitive.  There you go.  Simple, right?

(spreadsheet)

          Surprising to see the Ravens still high in the ratings, though their O and D numbers are pretty solid.  I wish our Falcons were up there too at 5-5, but their D rating has plunged alarmingly.  Vikings and Saints have both improved some mediocre numbers lately, and crept up near the top.

          The Chargers' handy victory over Denver moved them up 8 slots; seven teams moved up by two places.  The Steelers & Bengals both deservedly fell 4 spots, Broncos & Seahawks 3.

          That's it for Week 11, I hope youse guys found a pearl of wisdom or two in there somewhere.  Spreadsheet download is here.  Prost!