Month: October 2012

Washington Redskins: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Commanders

Last week: 17 (+0)

Record: 3-4

This team is awfully snakebitten. They’ve lost 4 games all by a touchdown or fewer and all games in which they lost significant players to injury. Week 2, they lost Josh Wilson, Brian Orakpo, and Adam Carriker in a loss to St. Louis. In their loss to Cincinnati, they lost Trent Williams. In their loss to Atlanta, they lost Robert Griffin and last week they lost Fred Davis. Griffin, Wilson, and Williams are back, but the other 3 are done for the year. Pierre Garcon has barely played. Jammal Brown hasn’t played. Brandon Meriweather hasn’t played. Now London Fletcher could miss next week with a combination of hamstring problems and a concussion, which would snap his 231 consecutive games streak.

Studs

QB Robert Griffin: 20 of 28 for 258 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 batted pass, 2 throw aways, 100.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 9 of 35 drop backs (3 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 5, 1 throw away), 9 carries for 89 yards, 2 fumbles

LT Trent Williams: Allowed 1 sack on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 16 yards on 1 attempt

Duds

FS Madieu Williams: Allowed 4 catches for 58 yards on 5 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

MLB London Fletcher: 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 6 catches for 47 yards on 6 attempts

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Colts

Last week: 18 (+1)

Record: 3-3

If the Colts can go into Tennessee and beat the Titans, who, by the way, have the league’s worst points differential, they’d stand at 4-3 in a horrible AFC. Their remaining schedule is as following: vs. Miami, @ Jacksonville, @ New England, vs. Buffalo, @ Detroit, vs. Tennessee, @ Houston, @ Kansas City, vs. Houston (who could be resting starters). Couldn’t they go 5-4 over those 9 games? 9-7 might do it in the AFC. 10-6 would definitely do it.

We’ve got a sleeper team for this year’s team to go from 5 wins or fewer to the playoffs. It’s between them, Miami, San Diego/Denver, and Pittsburgh for those 2 wild cards spots. The issue is that they rank 29th in yards per play differential and 18th in rate of sustaining drives differential, so stats would say they haven’t played that well. That’s why they’re a long shot, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. The good news is they’re getting healthier finally.

Studs

LG Jeff Linkenbach: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 22 yards on 7 attempts

SS Antoine Bethea: Allowed 1 catch for 4 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 2 assists

FS Tom Zbikowski: Allowed 1 catch for 2 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

LOLB Jerry Hughes: 2 quarterback hits and 3 quarterback hurries on 35 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

Duds

RE Drake Nevis: Did not record a pressure on 31 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LE Ricardo Mathews: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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New Orleans Saints: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Saints

Last week: 19 (+7)

Record: 2-4

The Saints are no longer the favorite to be this year’s team that goes from out of the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, but they’re still not a playoff team or anything like that. Only one team has ever made the playoffs after starting 0-4. Drew Brees has gotten it together now that he’s used to not having Sean Payton around and I don’t think there was ever much doubt that would happen. In his last 3 games, he’s completed 91 of 136 for 11 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, 2 wins and a 1 point loss in Lambeau. He’s on pace to throw for 5592 yards, which would break his own record, and he has a legitimate chance to do so because of how often the Saints pass (he’s also on pace to shatter the record for passing attempts in a season). Drew Brees looks like Drew Brees.

The problem is everything else. This team isn’t back to normal. The defense is atrocious, allowing 30.2 points per game. Last year, when they won 13 games, they were 13th in the league in points allowed. They’re not that kind of team even if Drew Brees looks like Drew Brees again and for that reason they might be overrated right now. They really remind me of the 2008 Saints, when Brees threw for 5000 yards, but they finished 8-8 because they allowed 24.6 points per game, 26th in the league. They should finish somewhere in that 6-8 win range.

Studs

QB Drew Brees: 27 of 37 377 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 spike, 2 throw aways, 1 drop, 118.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 3 of 38 drop backs (1 of 3, 1 throw away)

LG Ben Grubbs: Didn’t allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 24 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts

C Brian La Puente: Didn’t allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 26 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts

RT Zach Strief: Didn’t allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps

WR Lance Moore: Caught 9 passes for 121 yards on 10 attempts on 27 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch

LE Junior Galette: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

P Thomas Morestead: 6 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 70.3 yards per kickoff, 21.3 opponent’s average starting distance, 4 punts for 205 yards, 2 inside 20, 2 returns for 15 yards, 47.5 net yards per punt

Duds

CB Patrick Robinson: Allowed 6 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 missed tackles

CB Corey White: Allowed 3 catches for 69 yards on 4 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

SS Roman Harper: Allowed 4 catches for 62 yards on 4 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 penalties, 1 quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes

MLB Curtis Lofton: 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 3 missed tackles, allowed 3 catches for 23 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts

RE Will Smith: 1 quarterback hurry on 47 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

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St. Louis Rams: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Rams

Last week: 18 (-2)

With the trade deadline upcoming this week, the Rams have reportedly made several veterans available for trade. It makes sense that one of these would be Steven Jackson because he’s really their only veteran. He’s got the option to opt out of his contract after this season and he’s already splitting carries and getting outperformed by rookie Daryl Richardson, who appears to be the future. I doubt anything happens because guys never get moved at the deadline, especially big name guys like Jackson, but it’s worth bringing up. A team like the Steelers who needs a short term veteran back seems like a good fit, if anything were to happen.

Studs

C Robert Turner: Did not allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 15 yards on 5 attempts

RG Harvey Dahl: Did not allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps

MLB James Laurinaitis: 11 solo tackles, 3 assists, 8 stops, allowed 3 catches for 31 yards on 4 attempts

SS Quentin Mikell: Was not thrown on, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

RE Robert Quinn: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 38 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

K Greg Zuerlein: 5 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 74.0 yards per kickoff, 19.0 opponent’s average starting distance, 2/2 FG (43, 50)

Duds

TE Lance Kendricks: Caught 2 passes for 5 yards on 4 attempts on 29 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch

CB Janoris Jenkins: Allowed 9 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

LOLB JoLonn Dunbar: 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 stops, 3 missed tackles, allowed 5 catches for 40 yards on 5 attempts

LE Chris Long: Did not record a pressure on 38 pass rush snaps, 3 penalties, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Arizona Cardinals: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Cardinals

Last week: 21 (+0)

Record: 4-3

After going 10-1 in an 11 game stretch in games decided by less than a touchdown, the Cardinals have lost 2 straight games of that nature. They must have “forgotten how to win.” Well, before that 11 game stretch, they were 2-8 in their last 10 games of that nature with the same group of guys. In reality, there is no such thing as “knowing how to win games.” Historically, teams that win more than 67% of games decided by a touchdown or less over the course of a season will win 50% of those types of games the following season. Meanwhile, teams that win a game by 7 or fewer win their following game 52% of the time if it’s decided by 7 or fewer.

The only exception seems to be having a franchise quarterback (which the Cardinals clearly don’t). Guys like Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady have great career records in those types of games. I makes sense. It’s a lot easier for one guy to be clutch and elevate his play in crunch time than it is for a whole team to do so. It’s wrong to expect the Cardinals to now become bad at winning close games and go on another 2-8 type stretch, but going forward, they should be expected to win about 50% of their close games.

Studs

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling: Rushed for 104 yards (73 after contact) and a touchdown on 20 attempts, 9 broken tackles, caught 4 passes for 45 yards on 5 attempts

WR Andre Roberts: Caught 7 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts on 44 pass snaps, 6.8 YAC per catch

SS Adrian Wilson: Did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 3 stops

RE Calais Campbell: 3 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 22 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

ROLB Sam Acho: 1 interception, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 17 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps

RT Bobby Massie: Allowed 2 sacks and 8 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 1 attempt, 1 penalty

WR Early Doucet: Caught 3 passes for 19 yards on 6 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 5.3 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

LE Darnell Dockett: 1 quarterback hurry on 21 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Tennessee Titans: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Titans

Last week: 22 (+6)

Record: 3-4

If the Titans beat the Colts in Tennessee this week, the Titans will be 4-4 in the crappy AFC and then anything can happen. Given that I picked them to make the playoffs before the season, I obviously would like to see that happen, but I don’t think it will. I picked them to do so because of a strong defense and an improved offense with Jake Locker. Well, their defense is the league’s worst allowing 34 points per game. I’m still baffled how they went from 8th in the league last year to dead last, but they can’t make the playoffs if they can’t get their defense somehow turned around. Despite their record, they are -89 in points differential, worst in the league. All 3 of their wins have come by 3 or fewer, while their 4 losses were by a combined 96 points, with each one coming by at least 21 points.

Studs

RB Chris Johnson: Rushed for 195 yards (35 after contact) and 2 touchdowns on 18 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 3 yards on 1 attempt

QB Matt Hasselbeck: 22 of 33 for 205 yards and a touchdown, 3 throw aways, 2 drops, 98.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 35 drop backs (2 sacks, 3 of 9, 3 throw aways, 1 drop)

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

Duds

FS Michael Griffin: Allowed 3 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 7 solo tackles

MLB Will Witherspoon: 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 1 attempt

DT Jurrell Casey: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

K Rob Bironas: 6 kickoffs, 2 touchbacks, 63.2 yards per kickoff, 39.5 opponent’s average starting distance

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New York Jets: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Jets

Last week: 23 (+2)

Record: 3-4

I’m impressed with the way the Jets have bounced back from losing Darrelle Revis and then getting shut out at home by the 49ers. Since then, they’ve covered in 3 straight games, hanging with the Texans, blowing out the Colts, and hanging with the Patriots in New England. Antonio Cromartie is playing out of his mind right now since Revis went down, allowing 7 catches for 109 yards on 22 attempts, with 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, and 4 pass deflections. The defensive and offensive fronts are playing like they have before, allowing the team’s run offense and run defense to improve. Mark Sanchez is still the limiting factor (against anyone except the Patriots’ horrific secondary), but this team is moving up despite the loss. I’m impressed.

Studs

QB Mark Sanchez: 28 of 41 for 328 yards, 1 touchdowns, and 1 interception, 4 drops, 1 hit as thrown, 100.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 45 drop backs (3 sacks, 4 of 7, 1 hit as thrown)

LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts

C Nick Mangold: Did not allow a pressure on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 41 yards on 15 attempts

WR Jeremy Kerley: Caught 7 passes for 120 yards on 11 attempts on 45 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

TE Dustin Keller: Caught 7 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts on 46 pass snaps, 3.9 YAC per catch

CB Antonio Cromartie: Allowed 1 catch for 16 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 solo tackle, 2 assists

Duds

RT Austin Howard: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 5 quarterback hurries on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 2 attempts

RB Shonn Greene: Caught 6 passes for 34 yards on 8 attempts, 1 drop, rushed for 54 yards (28 after contact) and a touchdown on 16 attempts

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Buffalo Bills: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 24 (-4)

Record: 3-4

I thoroughly enjoyed last week’s Bills/Titans game between the two worst defenses in the league. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Hasselbeck looked like franchise quarterbacks. Chris Johnson looked like it was 2009. I thought the Bills lost the game in the first half when they settled for a field goal instead of going for a field goal and then they eventually lost because Ryan Fitzpatrick decided to throw an interception when all they had to do was run the clock out with CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson, who the Titans couldn’t stop all game.

Studs

RB CJ Spiller: Rushed for 70 yards (27 after contact) on 12 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 6 passes for 32 yards on 6 attempts

RB Fred Jackson: Rushed for 71 yards (45 after contact) on 9 attempts, 4 broken tackles, caught 8 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts, 1 drop

LG Andy Levitre: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 64 yards on 7 attempts

CB Stephon Gilmore: Allowed 1 catch for 9 yards on 3 attempts, 3 solo tackles

DT Kyle Williams: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

WR Brad Smith: 2 kickoff returns for 109 yards and a touchdown, 1 catch for 5 yards on 1 attempt on 4 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch

Duds

RT Erik Pears: 4 quarterback hits on 39 pass rush snaps, 2 penalties

LT Chris Hairston: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 12 yards on 2 attempts

CB Justin Rogers: Allowed 7 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LE Mario Williams: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

DT Marcell Dareus: Did not record a pressure on 31 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

MLB Kelvin Sheppard: 1 solo tackle, 3 assists, 1 stop, allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 1 attempt

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 25 (-1)

Record: 2-4

So apparently you can shove a receiver out of bounds and that’s not PI, but if he comes back in bounds and catching a game tying touchdown, that’s a penalty. I picked the Buccaneers last week, so obviously I was pissed about that. That and Vincent Jackson going for 96 yards, not scoring a touchdown, and then Greg Schiano running up the middle on 4 straight plays with a 250 pound back and not getting any points. Between the Jim Harbaugh safety decline, the Lions’ backdoor cover, and the Cowboys front door cover, I was not happy about last week, my first losing week since week 3. Yeah, I know. Wah. Wah.

Studs

RB Doug Martin: Rushed for 85 yards (79 after contact) and a touchdown on 16 attempts, 9 missed tackles, caught 3 passes for 37 yards on 3 attempts

LT Donald Penn: Did not allow a pressure on 50 pass block snaps, run blocked for -1 yard on 1 attempt

LG Carl Nicks: Did not allow a pressure on 50 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 4 attempt

C Jeremy Zuttah: Did not allow a pressure on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 50 yards on 7 attempts

WR Vincent Jackson: Caught 7 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts on 48 pass snaps, 14.8 YAC per catch

LOLB Lavonte David: 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 4 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection

FS Ronde Barber: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 2 attempts, 1 interception, 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 missed tackle

Duds

CB Eric Wright: Allowed 7 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

CB Brandon McDonald: Allowed 5 catches for 79 yards on 5 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

LE Michael Bennett: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

RE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim: 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

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Detroit Lions: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#26)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Lions

Last week: 26 (-4)

Record: 2-4

The Bengals are the favorite to be this year’s team to goes from out of the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, but the Lions are right there in the loaded NFC at 2-4. The issue is that both yards per play and rate of sustaining drives say they’re a better team than their record. Yards per play has them at 4th, while rate of sustaining drives has them at 16th. However, special teams has been a major issue and that’s something that neither of those statistics takes into account and the real troubling thing is the play of their offense.

Their defense, 16th against the run and 11th against the pass, hasn’t been bad, but Stafford and the offense have been a mess and that’s why they are where they are. If their defense can’t continue to play at this improved level and Stafford and company can’t bounce back, that’s a real issue and I think that’s more likely than the opposite (Stafford and company bounce back and the defense continues to be solid.

Studs

LG Rob Sims: Did not allow a pressure on 52 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 2 attempts

CB Chris Houston: Allowed 3 catches for 25 yards on 9 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 4 stops

LOLB DeAndre Levy: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, allowed 2 catches for 0 yards on 3 attempts

SS Louis Delmas: Was not thrown on, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes

Duds

RG Stephen Peterman: Allowed 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries on 52 pass block snaps, run blocked for 28 yards on 3 attempts

WR Calvin Johnson: Caught 3 passes for 34 yards on 12 attempts on 52 pass snaps, 3.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

TE Brandon Pettigrew: Caught 5 passes for 37 yards on 6 attempts on 34 pass snaps, 2.2 YAC per catch

RB Stefan Logan: 6 punt returns for 7 yards, 2 kickoff returns for 44 yards, 2 fumbles

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