Month: September 2012

St. Louis Rams: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Rams

Last week: 22 (-11)

Record: 1-2

Their defense is the real deal and they’ll play spoiler to a few teams. They’ve had a tough schedule, as well. However, the NFC is loaded and Sam Bradford is not a good enough quarterback to succeed behind this patchwork offensive line, which will remain patchwork for the foreseeable future. Steven Jackson is also at that age where running backs tend to be done and he’s looked the part so far this season, averaging 2.6 YPC or fewer in 2 games and then leaving the other one with an injury after 9 carries. Eventually, they’ll want to think about giving Daryl Richardson some more carries and hoping that he’s capable and that Steven Jackson won’t mind.

Studs

C Robert Turner: Did not allow a pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 4 attempts

CB Cortland Finnegan: Allowed 2 catches for 42 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist

CB Janoris Jenkins: Allowed 5 catches for 36 yards on 9 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 2 assist, 1 stop

LE Chris Long: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

SS Quentin Mikell: Allowed 1 catch for 10 yards on 1 attempt, 3 quarterback hurries on 7 blitzes, 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 4 stops

Duds

QB Sam Bradford: 18 of 35 for 152 yards and 2 interceptions, 2 drops, 2 hit as thrown, 1 throw away, 1 spike, 61.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 18 of 43 drop backs (6 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 11, 1 throw away, 2 hit as thrown)

LT Wayne Hunter: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 6 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

LG Quinn Ojinnaka: Allowed 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 4 attempts

RT Barry Richardson: Allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

TE Lance Kendricks: Caught 3 passes for 18 yards on 6 targets on 33 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

WR Brandon Gibson: 2 catches for 19 yards on 5 targets on 31 pass snaps, 2.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

DT Kendall Langford: Did not record a pressure on 29 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

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Detroit Lions: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Lions

Last week: 21 (-2)

Record: 1-2

Every year a team goes from in the playoffs to winning 5 games or fewer. The Lions, one of my preseason overrated teams, are a finalist for that spot, but I have them finishing a little bit better than that. However, their defense is atrocious just like last year and Matt Stafford, even if he doesn’t get hurt again, is not going to throw for 5000 yards and 41 touchdowns again to compensate. Stafford hasn’t been bad, but he’s not having the elite season he was last year. They are now, including playoff, 6-9 in their last 15, which is almost a whole season, and last year they needed a record four comebacks from down 13 or more to even win 10 games. This year, the offense isn’t good enough to compensate for the defense getting them in a whole early.

Studs

QB Matt Stafford: 33 of 42 for 278 yards and a touchdown, 4 drops, 108.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 5 of 45 drop backs (1 sack, 1 scramble, 2 of 3)

RB Mikel Leshoure: Rushed for 100 yards (35 after contact) and a touchdown on 26 carries, 4 catches for 34 yards on 4 attempts

LT Jeff Backus: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

LG Rob Sims: Did not allow a pressure on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 20 yards on 3 attempts

C Dominic Raiola: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 50 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts

WR Calvin Johnson: 10 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts on 60 pass plays, 3.6 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Chris Houston: Allowed 5 catches for 34 yards on 10 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 5 solo tackles, 4 stops

Duds

TE Brandon Pettigrew: 8 catches for 61 yards on 12 attempts on 53 pass plays, 3.3 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 1 penalty

RE Kyle Vanden Bosch: 1 quarterback hurry on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LE Cliff Avril: Did not record a pressure on 35 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 2 penalties

DT Corey Williams: Did not record a pressure on 31 pass rush snaps, no tackles

CB Dwight Bentley: Allowed 8 catches for 71 yards on 9 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

CB Jacob Lacey: Allowed 4 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

MLB Stephen Tulloch: 3 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackles, 2 penalties, 1 quarterback hit on 7 pass rush snaps, allowed 2 catches for 15 yards on 3 attempts

SS Erik Coleman: Allowed 3 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

RE Willie Young: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, no tackles, 1 penalty

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Washington Redskins: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Commanders

Last week: 14 (-10)

Record: 1-2

Robert Griffin is the real deal, but whatever little help he had to begin with is getting hurt. Brian Orakpo’s and Adam Carriker’s absence on defense has led to them getting torched defensively by the Rams and the Bengals in the last two games and Trent Williams’ and Pierre Garcon’s injuries have left Griffin running for his life and without his top receiver. The Redskins rank 31st in yards per play differential. Garcon and Williams will probably be back this week, but the defensive guys are done for the year. They’ll win some shoot outs, but in a tough NFC, they’re not a real playoff contender. Redskin fans should just be happy that their big gamble seems to have paid off and that they finally seem to have the quarterback position solved for what’s the first time in seemingly forever.

Studs

RG Chris Chester: Did not allow a pressure on 46 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 30 yards on 6 attempts

LOLB Ryan Kerrigan: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 quarterback hurries on 27 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops

Duds

LT Jordan Black: Allowed 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits on 39 pass block snaps, 1 penalty

RT Tyler Polumbus: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 46 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 2 attempts

CB DeAngelo Hall: Allowed 8 catches for 107 yards on 11 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

SS DeJon Gomes: Allowed 1 catch for 73 yards and a touchdown on 1 attempt, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

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New York Jets: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Jets

Last week: 19 (-6)

Record: 2-1

Remember how the Jets’ chance to make the playoffs was on the conservative offense, good defense, don’t make mistakes, easy schedule model? Yeah, that doesn’t work if you can’t play good defense and without Darrelle Revis, they’re going to have a hard time doing so many of the things they normally do on defense. They also don’t run the ball particularly well with mediocre back Shonn Greene now ceding carries to an unproven Bilal Powell and Mark Sanchez is as he’s always been. They may be 2-1and in a tie for first in their division, but after needing luck and overtime to beat the Dolphins and losing Revis for the season, the Jets are looking pretty done. They rank 25th in the league in yards per play differential. They should just put Tebow in. He might not be an upgrade, but it would be so much more entertaining.

Studs

C Nick Mangold: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 51 pass block snaps, run blocked for 43 yards on 12 carries

WR Santonio Holmes: Caught 9 passes for 147 yards  on 14 targets on 47 pass plays, 2.9 YAC per catch, 1 drop

MLB Bart Scott: 6 solo tackles, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback pressure on 7 blitzes, allowed 2 catches for 14 yards on 3 attempts

LE Muhammad Wilkerson: 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass rush snaps, 9 solo tackles, 2 assists, 8 stops

Duds

QB Mark Sanchez: 21 of 45 for 311 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, 4 drops, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 65.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 21 of 47 drop backs (1 sack, 12 of 20, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown)

RB Shonn Greene: Rushed for 40 yards (26 after contact) on 19 carries, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 5 pass block snaps, caught 2 passes for 9 yards on 2 attempts

RT Austin Howard: Allowed 3 quarterback hits and 5 quarterback pressures on 51 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 10 yards on 5 attempts

WR Stephen Hill: Did not catch a pass on 7 targets on 24 pass plays, 2 drops, 1 interception when thrown to

LOLB Calvin Pace: 1 quarterback hurry on 20 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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New Orleans Saints: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#26)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Saints

Last week: 16 (-10)

Record: 0-3

Every year, one team goes from in the playoffs to winning 5 or fewer games the next season. Is this team that bad? They are one of two 0-3 teams left in the NFL. They rank 29th in yards per play differential. Drew Brees doesn’t look bad, but he’s not his normal self. Remember who he was before Sean Payton. He wasn’t a bad quarterback; in fact, he was one of the better ones in the league before he got hurt, but he wasn’t the same quarterback as he’s been for years and that appears to be the case once again. Meanwhile, their defense is horrendous. In 2008, they went 8-8 despite Drew Brees throwing for 5000 yards. Imagine that year without Drew Brees throwing for 5000 yards and I think you’ve got a reasonable expectation for the 2012 Saints the rest of the way. Is that 5 win bad? Maybe, maybe not. Right now, they’re the leader in the clubhouse though to go from in the playoffs to 5 wins or less, “competing” with the Lions and my preseason pick, the Bengals.

Studs

LG Ben Grubbs: Did not allow a pressure on 41 pass block snaps, run blocked for 18 yards on 3 attempts

CB Jabari Greer: Allowed 6 catches for 53 yards on 10 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LE Junior Galette: 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits on 23 pass rush snaps, 2 stops

P Thomas Morestead: 7 kickoffs, 2 touchbacks, 68.9 yards per kickoff, 19.9 opponent average starting yards, 6 punts for 335 yards, 1 inside 20, 3 returns for 40 yards, 45.8 net yards per punt

Duds

RT Zach Strief: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback pressures on 41 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 2 attempts

TE Jimmy Graham: Caught 4 passes for 16 yards and a touchdown on 8 targets on 28 pass plays, 0.5 YAC per catch, 2 drops

LOLB Scott Shanle: Allowed 2 catches for 23 yards on 2 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops

LE Cameron Jordan: 1 quarterback hurry on 47 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 5 stops

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Kansas City Chiefs: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#27)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Chiefs

Last week: 27 (+0)

Record: 1-2

Defense is key for this team. If they can play good defense, it will allow them to unleash Jamaal Charles and take the pressure off of Matt Cassel. Charles had a huge game last week and looked every bit the back he was in 2010 before his injury, only Todd Haley is no longer the coach so they are now utilizing him properly. However, the defense was horrendous in their first 2 games and holding the secretly not so secretly terrible Saints to 24 points isn’t as big of an accomplishment as it used to be. Overall, the Chiefs rank 26th in yards per play differential.

Studs

RB Jamaal Charles: Rushed for 233 yards (151 after contact) and a touchdown on 33 carries, 1 broken tackle, 6 catches for 55 yards on 7 attempts, 1 drop

RG Jon Asamoah: Allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 41 yards on 8 carries

LOLB Justin Houston: 3 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback pressures on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 4 stops

K Ryan Succop: 7 kickoff, 2 touchbacks, 67.1 yards per kickoff, 21.6 opponent average start line, 6/6 FG (25, 31, 34, 38, 43, 45)

Duds

WR Steve Breaston: 1 catch for 2 yards on 3 attempts on 33 pass plays, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

LE Allen Bailey: Did not record a pressure on 22 pass rush snaps, no tackles

CB Brandon Flowers: Allowed 6 catches for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#28)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 18 (-10)

Record: 1-2

The Buccaneers are one of the few teams I’ve underrated before the season that’s actually become overrated 3 weeks into it. The Buccaneers have hung tough, on the scoreboard, with the Giants and Cowboys and beat the Panthers, but they’re not playing that well. They rank dead last in the league in yards per play differential, with a -2.0. No other team has one worse than -1.0. They’ve had a tough schedule, but they’ve looked completely inept on both sides of the ball. They’re winning the turnover battle (+4), but you can’t rely on that going forward. They’ve also lost starting defensive end Adrian Clayborn for the season. At the end of the year, look for this team to be right around where they were last year, maybe a little better.

Studs

MLB Mason Foster: 7 solo tackles, 7 stops, 1 missed tackle, 2 catches for 17 yards on 3 attempts

DT Gerald McCoy: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback pressures on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackles, 3 stops

LE Michael Bennett: 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 quarterback pressures on 37 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 4 stops

Duds

QB Josh Freeman: 10 of 28 for 110 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception, 3 drops, 2 throw aways, 52.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 7 of 30 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 of 5, 1 drop)

WR Mike Williams: Caught 2 passes for 33 yards on 5 attempts on 32 pass plays, 2 drops, 4.5 YAC per catch, 2 drops

WR Vincent Jackson: 1 catch for 29 yards on 7 attempts on 33 pass plays, 1.0 YAC per catch

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Miami Dolphins: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#29)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Dolphins

Last week: 28 (-1)

Record: 1-2

They’ve got a very tough and underrated defense and they’ll play spoiler to a few teams as underdogs (like they almost did last weekend), but their offensive ineptitude is going to keep this team as one of the worst in the league. Ryan Tannehill is not a capable NFL quarterback yet and the team’s offensive leader, running back Reggie Bush, has injured his knee and is questionable going forward. That’s hardly surprising given his history.

Studs

LT Jake Long: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 15 yards on 5 attempts

LG Richie Incognito: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 43 yards on 6 attempts

WR Davone Bess: 5 catches for 86 yards on 6 targets on 37 pass snaps, 4.2 YAC per catch

MLB Karlos Dansby: 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 5 stops, allowed 4 catches for 43 yards on 8 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 quarterback hurry on 11 blitzes

CB Sean Smith: Did not allow a catch on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles

LE Cameron Wake: 3 quarterback hits and 8 quarterback hurries on 42 pass rush snaps, 7 solo tackles, 5 stops

Duds

RT Jonathan Martin: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 12 yards on 3 attempts

WR Anthony Armstrong: 2 catches for 9 yards on 6 targets on 19 pass snaps, 1.5 YAC per catch, 3 drops

WR Brian Hartline: 1 catch for 41 yards on 8 targets on 39 pass snaps, 6.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

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Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#30)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Jaguars

Last week: 30 (+0)

Record: 1-2

The Jaguars beat the Colts in Indianapolis, but you have to be concerned with how Blaine Gabbert did against a banged up Colts defense that wasn’t very good to begin with. Gabbert went 10 of 21 for 155 yards and a touchdown with 80 of those yards coming on one play to Cecil Shorts where the receiver did most of the work. He only won because of that aforementioned play and Maurice Jones-Drew looking vintage, rushing for 177 yards and a score on 28 carries. The Jaguars rank 30th in the league in yards per play differential and I feel that as they get healthier, in the long run, the Colts are going to be the slighter better team because of their quarterback play. The Jaguars are one of 15 teams with a record of 1-2. They’ll be in that chunk of currently 1-2 teams that ends up with a horrible record.

Studs

RB Maurice Jones-Drew: Rushed for 177 yards (71 after contact) and a touchdown on 28 carries, 2 broken tackles, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 16 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Paul Posluszny: 6 solo tackles, 2 assists, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 8 blitzes, allowed 2 catches for 52 yards on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection

LOLB Russell Allen: 9 solo tackles, 2 assists, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hit on 8 blitzes, allowed 3 catches for 33 yards on 4 attempts, 1 penalty

FS Dwight Lowery: Allowed 1 catch for 13 yards on 4 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist

P Bryan Anger: 6 punts for 321 yards, 1 inside 20, 4 returns for 29 yards, 45.3 net yards per punt

Duds

RT Guy Whimper: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 26 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 1 attempts

WR Justin Blackmon: 1 catch for 7 yards on 5 targets on 24 pass plays, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

LE Jeremy Mincey: 1 quarterback hurry on 51 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Oakland Raiders: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#31)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Raiders

Last week: 31 (+0)

Record: 1-2

Still not sold on this team as being anything better than one of the best teams in the league. Their upset win over the Steelers was not completely shocking given how much the Steelers have sucked over the last year plus on the road. They are -43 on the road in that time period, including playoffs, and +137 at home. They beat Indianapolis by just 3, Kansas City by just 4, and Cleveland by just 3 last year. Given that they were missing James Harrison and Troy Polamalu last weekend, this upset was not shocking. There’s a reason I made it a very small pick even though Pittsburgh had the clear on paper advantage. The Raiders are one of 15 1-2 teams in the NFL right now. Some of them are going to make the playoffs, some of them are going to be terrible. I think this team is one of the latter.

Studs

C Stefen Wisniewski: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 82 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts

RG Mike Brisiel: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 5 yards on 2 attempts

LT Jared Veldheer: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yards on 1 attempt

ROLB Phillip Wheeler: Allowed 5 catches for 28 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 7 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops

SS Tyvon Branch: Allowed 2 catches for 9 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 5 stops, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 5 blitzes

Duds

CB Michael Huff: Allowed 8 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 3 missed tackles

FS Matt Giordano: Allowed 4 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

DT Tommy Kelly: Did not record a pressure on 34 pass rush snaps, no tackles