Month: September 2012

New Orleans Saints: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Saints

Last week: 7 (-9)

Record: 0-2

Now it’s time to start pressing the button panic. The Saints haven’t been eliminated or anything, but they’re 0-2 and only 12% of teams that start 0-2 make the playoffs. They’ll get better as the season goes on as they get used to not having Sean Payton around, but right now they lack cohesion, particularly on defense, and they rank 28th in points per play differential. The good news, they head home now, where they were 9-0 SU and ATS last year, and are 9 point favorites against a Chiefs team that’s also 0-2. Since 2003, teams that miss the playoffs and go 0-2 the following year are 16-7 ATS week 3. I think 3rd time will be the charm for the Saints this week.

Studs

RB Pierre Thomas: Rushed for 110 yards (70 after contact) on 9 carries, 7 broken tackles, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 2 pass block snaps, caught 4 passes for 33 yards on 4 targets

RB Darren Sproles: Caught 13 passes for 128 yards on 14 attempts, 1 drop, no carries

RE Will Smith: 2 quarterback pressures on 22 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 4 stops

Duds

LT Jermon Bushrod: Allowed 3 quarterback hits and 7 quarterback pressures on 51 pass block snaps, run blocked for 50 yards on 2 attempts

WR Lance Moore: Caught 2 passes for 30 yards on 3 targets on 49 pass snaps, 4.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Corey White: Allowed 5 catches for 120 yards on 6 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

DT Sedrick Ellis: Did not record a pressure on 15 pass snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

New York Giants: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Giants

Last week: 18 (+1)

Record: 1-1

I already talked about how much of a disadvantage the Giants have this week as a road team on Thursday Night football, so I’ll say something about the Buccaneers/Giants game that I didn’t have room to say in the Buccaneers’ section. I agree with Greg Schiano on going all out against a victory formation. The Buccaneers went 4-12 last year and lost 10 straight games because they gave up on their coach. They fired Raheem Morris and brought in the more intense, more disciplinarian Greg Schiano and he’s got these guys playing football the right way, through the whistle, until the clock strikes 0:00. I love the culture change in Tampa Bay.

Studs

WR Hakeem Nicks: Caught 10 passes for 199 yards and 1 touchdown on 15 attempts on 52 pass plays, 7.6 YAC per catch

WR Victor Cruz: Caught 11 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts on 53 pass plays, 6.8 YAC per catch, 2 interceptions when thrown to

RE Jason Pierre-Paul: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 28 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, 4 stops

DT Linval Joseph: 3 quarterback hits on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

Duds

C David Baas: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 54 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 30 yards on 5 attempts

LE Justin Tuck: Did not record a pressure on 25 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 17 (-1)

Record: 1-1

The Buccaneers have the league’s worst 2.2 yards per differential, allowing 7.2 yards per play and gaining 5.0 yards per play. So how are they 1-1 with a close loss to the Giants? Well, having the 2nd best turnover differential in the NFC, +3, has something to do with it, as do 124 yards and a touchdown on 5 interception returns. Another part of it is just that opponents have passed 84 times, to 38 runs against them and passes tend to average more per attempt, though it’s less consistent yardage than run plays. The Buccaneers have run 58 times to 52 passes. Typically, it’s very tough to continue to win on a regular basis if you lose the yardage battle, but it’s only 2 games so I’m not putting too much stock into yards per play yet and a lot of it does can be explained by play selection. Next up for the Buccaneers is a game in Dallas that will give us some insight on what to expect from this team going forward.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Studs

WR Vincent Jackson: 5 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts, 3.0 YAC per catch

SS Mark Barron: Allowed 2 catches for 16 yards on 6 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes

LE Michael Bennett: 1 quarterback hit and 8 quarterback pressures on 50 pass rush snaps, 1 assist and 1 missed tackle

Duds

RB Doug Martin: Rushed for 66 yards (43 after contact) and a touchdown on 20 carries, broke 1 tackle, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 4 pass block snaps, did not catch a pass on 1 target, 1 drop

FS Ronde Barber: Allowed 4 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 stop

RE Adrian Clayborn: 2 quarterback pressures on 52 pass rush snaps, no tackles

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

New York Jets: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Jets

Last week: 19 (+0)

Record: 1-1

Yeah, how’s that Jets’ offense doing now? After scoring 48 in the opener in a heavily defense and special teams aided effort, the Jets scored just 10 points last week and Mark Sanchez, who was 19 of 27 for 266 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a pick in the opener, completed just 10 of 27 for 138 yards and a touchdown against a Steeler defense missing Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. In actuality, Sanchez is probably not as bad as he looked last week, but he’s not as good as he looked week 1 either. The Jets, meanwhile, rank 26th in the league in yards per play differential.

Studs

LG Matt Slauson: Did not allow a pressure on 29 pass block plays, run blocked for 37 yards on 3 attempts

LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass block plays, run blocked for 4 yards on 1 carry

RE Muhammad Wilkerson: Allowed 3 quarterback pressures on 28 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

QB Mark Sanchez: 10 of 27 for 138 yards and 1 touchdown, 1 drop, 1 throw away, 61.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 29 drop backs (2 sacks, 3 of 9)

RT Austin Howard: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback pressures on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked 9 yards on 2 attempts

WR Santonio Holmes: Caught 3 passes for 28 yards and a touchdown on 9 targets on 34 pass plays, 3.0 YAC per catch

RB Shonn Greene: Rushed for 23 yards (11 after contact) on 11 carries, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 9 pass block snaps

WR Stephen Hill: Didn’t catch a pass on 2 attempts on 29 pass snaps

CB Antonio Cromartie: Allowed 5 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Indianapolis Colts: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Colts

Last week: 20 (+0)

Record: 1-1

That’s the reason they drafted him #1. After a rough opener against a strong Chicago defense, Luck was incredibly impressive in his 2nd start, passing for 224 yards on 20 of 31, despite minimal help from his supporting cast. Under pressure on 15 of 37 drop backs, he took just 2 sacks, scrambled 4 times for 21 yards, and completed 6 of 9 for a touchdown and of the 3 incompletions, 1 was dropped, and on 1 he was hit as he threw. In fact, if you take non-targets out of the equation and add in drops (accuracy percentage), he would have been 24 of 29. Luck doesn’t have a ton of help, but he has a very easy schedule, so expect this team to at least win the 6 games Cam Newton did last year, with a 7 or 8 win season being more likely.

QB Andrew Luck: 20 of 31 for 224 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 spikes, 1 hit as thrown, 1 batted pass, 2 drops, 105.2 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 15 of 37 drop backs (2 sacks, 4 scrambles, 6 of 9, 1 touchdown, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown)

WR Donnie Avery: 9 catches for 111 yards on 10 attempts on 38 pass snaps, 3.3 YAC per catch

CB Jerraud Powers: Allowed 7 catches for 66 yards on 10 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle, 4 stops

MLB Kavell Conner: Allowed 1 catch for 15 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes

LE Cory Redding: 2 quarterback pressures on 37 pass rush snaps, 2 batted passes, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

LOLB Jerry Hughes: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 18 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles and 2 stops

K Adam Vinatieri: 3/3 FG (26, 45, 53)

Duds

LG Seth Olsen: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, 2 yards on 3 attempts

RG Trai Essex: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 26 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 0 yards on 2 attempts

LT Jeff Linkenbach: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 8 yards on 2 attempts

RB Mewelde Moore: -2 yards (0 yards after contact) on 1 carry, allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 4 pass block snaps, 1 catch for 8 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop.

WR Kris Adams: No catches on 2 attempts on 26 pass snaps

NT Antonio Johnson: Did not record a pressure on 11 pass rush snaps, no tackles

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Detroit Lions: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Lions

Last week: 22 (+1)

Record: 1-1

I had the Lions much lower than most people to start the season because I thought they were one dimensional, had a bad defense, and a bad running game, and overall thought they were overall too reliant on their passing attack for wins (4 comebacks from 13+ points last year, an NFL record), which, by the way, was led by a quarterback who had a history of injury problems and who had only had one good year in the NFL. So far in 2012, Matt Stafford is 51 of 80 for (63.8%) for 585 yards (7.3 YPA), 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, and that doesn’t tell the whole story because a big chunk of those yards were garbage time yards. As a result, the Lions almost lost at home to the Rams and weren’t competitive in San Francisco (down by double figures throughout the 2nd half until a garbage time touchdown with 1:29 left in the game). At least Stafford hasn’t gotten hurt yet.

Studs

WR Calvin Johnson: 8 catches for 94 yards on 12 attempts on 33 pass snaps, 6.0 YAC per catch

MLB Stephen Tulloch: Allowed 4 catches for 32 yards on 8 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 5 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

QB Matt Stafford: 19 of 32 for 230 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, 1 batted pass, 1 throw away, 1 drop, pressured on 5 of 34 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 of 3)

WR Nate Burleson: 1 catch for 11 yards on 2 attempts on 33 pass snaps, 15.0 YAC per catch

ROLB Justin Durant: Allowed 4 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

DT Corey Williams: 1 sack on 24 pass rush snaps, 1 stop

DE Kyle Vanden Bosch: 1 sack on 1 quarterback hurry on 23 pass rush snaps, 1 stop

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Carolina Panthers: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Panthers

Last week: 23 (+1)

Record: 1-1

The league’s #2 ranked team in terms of yards per play differential: the Carolina Panthers. You can’t tell a ton from that after just 2 games and I still think they’re weak defensively where it matters, on the defensive line and in the secondary, but they have a very good chance to pull the upset at home on Thursday Night this week against the Giants, who, by the way, have a negative points per play differential. Home teams have a clear advantage on Thursday Nights, as home teams have won 74 of the last 118 Thursday Night games and have covered at a record of 66-46-4 ATS.

Studs

QB Cam Newton: 14 of 20 for 253 yards and a touchdown, 2 throw away, 1 drop, 112.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 9 of 23 drop backs (2 scrambles, 1 sack, 3 of 6, 2 throw aways), rushed for 75 yards (47 after contact) and a touchdown on 13 yards, 1 broken tackle, 1 fumble

WR Steve Smith: 3 catches for 104 yards on 4 targets on 23 pass block snaps, 18.3 YAC per catch

CB Chris Gamble: Allowed 1 catch for 4 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 2 assist, 2 stops

Duds

RG Geoff Hargartner: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 24 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 1 attempt

MLB Jon Beason: 4 catches for 66 yards on 7 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 3 assist, 1 stop, 4 missed tackles

CB Captain Munnerlyn: Allowed 5 catches for 45 yards on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles, 1 special teams tackle

DT Sione Fua: Did not record a pressure on 15 pass rush snaps, no tackles

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Arizona Cardinals: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Cardinals

Last week: 23 (+7)

Record: 2-0

The Cardinals are one of only 6 undefeated teams left in the NFL, but they’re by far the weakest of the bunch. They’ve been outgained in each of their first 2 games, but won anyway, and have a negative yards per play differential and are tied with Jacksonville for the worst yards per play rate at 4.2. They’ve got a nice defense, but I still don’t trust either of their quarterbacks and neither of their running backs have gotten much going on the ground. Eventually, they won’t be able to just rely on their defense and you can’t win consistently in the NFL without winning the yardage battle.

Studs

RT Bobby Massie: Did not allow a pressure on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 2 attempts

RE Calais Campbell: 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hit on 45 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 6 stops, 1 missed tackle

CB Patrick Peterson: Allowed 2 catches for 18 yards on 6 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles and 2 stops

ROLB Sam Acho: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 48 pass rush attempts, 4 solo tackles, 5 stops

Duds

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 4 quarterback pressures on 31 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 2 yards on 3 carries

WR Larry Fitzgerald: Caught 1 pass for 4 yards on 4 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch

RB Ryan Williams: 13 yards (21 after contact) on 10 carries, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 10 yards on 2 targets

RB Beanie Wells: 44 yards (18 after contact) on 13 carries, caught 1 pass for 24 yards, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 1 pass block snap

WR Andre Roberts: Caught 1 pass for 2 yards and a touchdown on 1 target on 30 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch

LOLB O’Brien Schofield: Did not record a pressure on 37 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Seattle Seahawks: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Seahawks

Last week: 24 (+0)

Record: 1-1

I haven’t really moved the Seahawks much, starting them at 25, then moving them to 24, then keeping them at 24 this week. They’re a good team at home and a bad team on the road. Nothing that’s happened with this team has been unpredictable at all. This week, however, they get their toughest home test as Green Bay comes to town. The stadium will be rocking on Monday Night, but the Packers represent as big of a test as any. At the end of the day, this team will go as far as Russell Wilson takes them. They can run the football and play defense, but if Russell Wilson keeps playing like this, 61.1% completion, 5.6 YPA, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, they won’t go far. Given the history of non-1st round pick rookie quarterbacks and non-1st round pick quarterbacks in general in this league, I don’t expect much more from him than this as the year goes on.

Studs

RB Marshawn Lynch: Rushed for 122 yards (103 after contact) and a touchdown on 26 carries, 8 broken tackles,

ROLB KJ Wright: Allowed 5 completions for 51 yards on 9 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 quarterback hurry on 7 blitzes, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

CB Richard Sherman: Allowed 2 completions for 14 yards on 3 attempts, 2 solo tackles

LE Red Bryant: 2 quarterback hurries on 18 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

P Jon Ryan: 4 punts for 215 yards, 2 of 4 inside 20, 2 returns for 2 yards, 48.3 net yards per punt

Duds

None

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Tennessee Titans: Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Titans

Last week: 11 (-14)

Record: 0-2

Before the season, I had the Titans as a playoff team. I thought they had a very strong supporting cast and that Jake Locker would be an upgrade over Matt Hasselbeck, who took this team to 9-7 last year as nothing more than a game manager. I felt that Chris Johnson would continue his strong running from the 2nd half of last season (4.8 YPC in the final 8 games, as opposed to 3.0 YPC in his first 8) and that the addition of Kendall Wright and the re-addition of Kenny Britt to this receiving corps, as well as the continued maturity of receivers like Jared Cook and Nate Washington would make this a more explosive offense. I felt their depth at cornerback, the addition of Kamerion Wimbley and potential breakout of Derrick Morgan as much needed pass rushers, as well as the continued maturity of a 8th ranked scoring defense in 100 that had 6 of 11 starters in their 3rd year or younger, would counteract the loss of Cortland Finnegan at cornerback.

I did mention that if Jake Locker didn’t play well, it would derail the whole thing and that’s been the case over the first 2 games. On top of that, Chris Johnson has been awful, rushing for 21 yards on 19 carries in 2 games and the defense has really missed Finnegan, surrendering 8.3 YPA, 25th in the NFL, and 36.0 points per game, 30th in the NFL. I know they’ve had a tough schedule, but they’re the only team in the league who hasn’t been in either of their first 2 games and they rank 27th in yards per play differential. I said before the season they could be anywhere from 5-11 to 11-5. I thought it’d be closer to 11-5. Now it’s looking closer to 5-11.

Studs

CB Alterraun Verner: Allowed 2 catches for 16 yards on 5 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection

MLB Zach Brown: Allowed 4 catches for 43 yards on 4 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 2 assists, 4 stops, 2 quarterback hurries on 4 blitzes

LOLB Will Witherspoon: Allowed 3 catches for 13 yards on 4 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 3 assists, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 sack and quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 9 quarterback hurries on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop, 1 penalty

LE Derrick Morgan: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits on 27 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 stops

P Brett Kern: 7 punts for 361 yards, 3 of 7 inside the 20, 1 return for 1 yard, 48.6 net yards per punt

Duds

RT David Stewart: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 32 pass block snaps

C Fernando Velasco: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 32 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 3 yards on 4 attempts

LG Steve Hutchinson: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 32 pass block snaps

TE Jared Cook: Caught 3 passes for 23 yards on 7 targets on 29 pass snaps, 1.3 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to, 2 drops

RB Chris Johnson: Rushed for 17 yards (17 yards after contact) on 8 carries, 1 broken tackle, caught 2 passes for 11 yards on 3 targets

SS Robert Johnson: 2 catches for 27 yards and 1 touchdown on 2 attempts, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 2 missed tackles

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]