We also have to consider that the preseason projections from our projection system don't always agree with conventional wisdom or even the personal opinions of the Football Outsiders staff, including myself — particularly when it comes to Oakland. Nonetheless, our projection system is the most accurate available, picking more playoff teams over the last two years than any other.

It's called a preface. They are letting you know ahead of time, the rankings you see are not weighted on normal Team A beat Team B criteria week by week. I mean damn, you'd think we just beat the Steelers. We barely beat the freaking Browns. With our schedule, we may very well be the last team in the league come the end of the season, which is how they are PROJECTING their rankings, not gut shot reactions to week by week performance. Lighten up. It's not like people's opinions of us will change after barely getting by the Browns. They were a called back 75 yard TD pass from possibly winning. Keep perspective here.

While the teams are listed in order of projected final rankings, using the formula that includes the preseason projection as well as Week 1, the column marked 2006 Only gives each team's ranking based on just one game