Month: December 2012

Minnesota Vikings: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Vikings

Last week: 20 (+6)

Record: 8-6

Net points per drive: -0.07 (19th)

DVOA: -5.3% (20th)

Weighted DVOA: -10.0% (23rd)

The Vikings are 8-6, but with games against the Texans and Packers left on their schedule, it’s going to be very, very hard for them to make the playoffs. 9-7 looks like a best case scenario for them (at home for Green Bay seems like the easier win, as they’re 6-1 at home this year, 6-0 on Sundays, with that one loss on Thursday Night). At 9-7, they’ll need help to make the playoffs and I don’t think they’ll get it. Chicago can easily win out against Arizona and Detroit and the Giants can also win out against Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Studs

RB Adrian Peterson: Rushed for 212 yards (111 after contact) and a touchdown on 24 attempts, 4 broken tackles, allowed 1 sack on 4 pass block snaps

C John Sullivan: Did not allow a pressure on 27 pass block snaps, run blocked for 106 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts

DT Kevin Williams: 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 48 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 1 assist

K Blair Walsh: 8 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks, 71.3 yards per kickoff, 18.3 opponent’s average starting distance, 5/5 FG (38, 42, 50, 51, 53)

Duds

MLB Jasper Brinkley: Allowed 4 catches for 53 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop

SS Jamarca Sanford: 3 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles, allowed 1 catch for 8 yards on 1 attempt

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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Bengals

Last week: 14 (-1)

Record: 8-6

Net points per drive: 0.49 (7th)

DVOA: 4.4% (12th)

Weighted DVOA: 14.6% (7th)

The Bengals are 8-6 and control their own destiny for a playoff spot, but their struggles against playoff caliber opponents should be their undoing. Andy Dalton was 0-8 against playoff teams last year and he’s just 2-4 against playoff contending teams this season. In all other games over the past 2 seasons, he’s 15-2. The Ravens and Steelers, against whom he is 0-6, should finish this team at 8-8 and end their playoff hopes.

Studs

C Kyle Cook: Did not allow a pressure on 23 pass block snaps, run blocked for 38 yards on 7 attempts

CB Terence Newman: Allowed 2 catches for 14 yards on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

QB Andy Dalton: 13 of 27 for 127 yards and a touchdown, 2 throw aways, 1 drop, 60.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 15 of 36 drop backs (6 sacks, 3 scrambles, 1 of 6, 2 throw aways)

LG Clint Boling: Allowed 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 15 yards on 3 attempts

RT Andre Smith: Allowed 3 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 7 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts

WR Marvin Jones: Did not catch a pass on 3 attempts on 34 pass snaps, 1 penalty

WR Andrew Hawkins: Did not catch a pass on 1 attempt on 28 pass snaps

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Dallas Cowboys: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys

Last week: 19 (+3)

Record: 8-6

Net points per drive: -0.06 (18th)

DVOA: -1.9% (16th)

Weighted DVOA: -4.0% (17th)

Heading into December at 6-6, after a rough November, traditionally a strong month, it didn’t look like the Cowboys would choke it away in December again, because they didn’t really have anything to choke away. Now at 8-6, controlling their own destiny for a playoff spot, they can have another late season choke and I think that’s what happens. This is a terrible front running team, as evidenced by both their late season history and their terrible track record as home favorites and I think they lose to the Saints this week for that reason, before losing in Washington week 17, because I just think the Redskins are a much better team.

Studs

LG Nate Livings: Did not allow a pressure on 47 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 40 yards on 2 attempts

RT Doug Free: Did not allow a pressure on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

CB Brandon Carr: Allowed 6 catches for 60 yards on 12 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

LOLB Anthony Spencer: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 35 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 2 stops

Duds

LT Tyron Smith: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 3 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts

SS Danny McCray: 6 catches for 124 yards on 6 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

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New Orleans Saints: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Saints

Last week: 16 (-1)

Record: 6-8

Net points per drive: 0.14 (12th)

DVOA: -1.3% (15th)

Weighted DVOA: 1.5% (14th)

The Saints still remain mathematically alive for a playoff spot at 6-8 off a huge blowout home win and now they head to Dallas, where the Cowboys really struggle as home favorites and really struggle in December under Tony Romo (generally). With a home game week 17 against the Panthers, they should finish 8-8, but they’ll need a lot of help to make the playoffs and I don’t think they’ll get it.

Studs

QB Drew Brees: 26 of 39 for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns, 3 thrown away, 1 spike, 117.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 9 of 41 drop backs (1 sack, 4 of 8, 2 thrown away)

RB Mark Ingram: Rushed for 90 yards (67 after contact) and a touchdown on 14 attempts, 5 broken tackles

LG Ben Grubbs: Didn’t allow a pressure on 44 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 4 attempts

WR Joe Morgan: Caught 2 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts on 13 pass snaps, 3.5 YAC per catch

CB Jabari Greer: Allowed 5 catches for 63 yards on 10 attempts, 2 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

SS Rafael Bush: Did not allow a catch on 3 attempts, 1 interception, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist

FS Isa Abdul-Quddas: Allowed 1 catch for 19 yards on 2 attempts, 1 interception, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist

MLB Curtis Lofton: Allowed 2 catches for 13 yards on 3 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 8 blitzes, 1 batted pass

RE Will Smith: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 41 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops

LE Junior Galette: 4 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles

Duds

RG Jahri Evans: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 44 pass rush snaps

WR Devery Henderson: Did not catch a pass on 1 attempt on 31 pass snaps, 1 drop, 1 penalty

CB Elbert Mack: Allowed 9 catches for 90 yards on 11 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

SS Roman Harper: Allowed 8 catches for 66 yards on 10 attempts, 10 solo tackles, 3 assists, 4 stops, 2 missed tackles

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St. Louis Rams: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Rams

Last week: 18 (+0)

Record: 6-7-1

Net points per drive: -0.43 (26th)

DVOA: -5.1% (19th)

Weighted DVOA: -5.2% (18th)

It’s week 16 and the Rams are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot, even in the tougher NFC. It’s not an accomplishment for most teams, but given this team’s recent history, it is for them. They’ve definitely played some decent football this year and, though they probably won’t finish at or above .500, thanks to that tie against San Francisco, which could have been a win, and a trip to Seattle week 17, but they can beat the Buccaneers this week to end up finishing 7-8-1 with a lot of hope for the future.

Studs

C Scott Wells: Did not allow a pressure on 64 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 21 yards on 4 attempts

RG Harvey Dahl: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 3 attempts

CB Janoris Jenkins: Allowed 3 catches for 18 yards on 5 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

LT Rodger Saffold: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 64 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 1 yard on 2 attempts

WR Chris Givens: Caught 1 pass for 22 yards on 4 attempts on 37 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 2 kickoff returns for 29 yards

FS Craig Dahl: 4 solo tackles, 3 missed tackles, allowed 1 catch for 14 yards on 1 attempt

DT Michael Brockers: Did not record a pressure on 14 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

DT Kendall Langford: Did not record a pressure on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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New York Jets: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Jets

Last week: 22 (+3)

Record: 6-8

Net points per drive: -0.38 (25th)

DVOA: -12.1% (24th)

Weighted DVOA: -15.4% (25th)

With the exception of last week’s Monday Night debacle and a game against the Dolphins (who they split the season series with), the Jets have beaten every mediocre or worse football team they’ve played this season. They finish the season with two such games against the Chargers and the Bills, but it’s tough to know what to expect from Greg McElroy.

Studs

LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 39 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 1 attempt

LG Matt Slauson: Did not allow a pressure on 27 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

C Nick Mangold: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass block snaps, run blocked for 46 yards on 8 attempts

RG Brandon Moore: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 3 attempts

CB Antonio Cromartie: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

SS LaRon Landry: 4 solo tackles, 3 stops, allowed 1 catch for 5 yards on 2 attempts

LOLB Calvin Pace: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 20 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops

RE Quinton Coples: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 1 stop

RE Muhammad Wilkerson: 2 quarterback hurries on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 5 solo tackles, 5 stops

LE Mike DeVito: 1 quarterback hurry on 15 pass rush snaps, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

Duds

QB Mark Sanchez: 13 of 28 for 131 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions, 2 drops, 1 batted pass, 41.5 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 34 drop backs (3 sacks, 3 scrambles, 4 of 5)

RT Austin Howard: Allowed 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 39 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

TE Konrad Reuland: Caught 1 pass for 4 yards on 2 attempts on 18 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 2 penalties

WR Mardy Gilyard: Did not catch a pass on 2 attempts on 20 pass snaps

WR Jeremy Kerley: Caught 1 pass for 11 yards on 3 attempts on 36 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to, 1 punt return for 7 yards

CB Kyle Wilson: Allowed 5 catches for 66 yards on 7 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 15 (-5)

Record: 6-8

Net points per drive: -0.02 (16th)

DVOA: -6.1% (21st)

Weighted DVOA: -7.0% (21st)

The Buccaneers hadn’t lost a single game by more than 8 points all season this year, before getting blown out 41-0 against a sub .500 Saints team last week. They quit down the stretch last season and while I think it’s unlikely that’s happening again under disciplinarian Greg Schiano, it’s definitely evident that this is a streaky team. After starting 1-3, the Buccaneers won 5 of 6, before now losing 4 straight and it’s very possible they continue that streak all the way to 6-10.

Studs

SS Mark Barron: 9 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops, allowed 3 catches for 26 yards on 3 attempts, 2 pass deflections

Duds

QB Josh Freeman: 26 of 47 for 279 yards and 4 interceptions, 3 drops, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 1 batted pass, 60.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 19 of 50 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 7 of 16, 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 1 batted pass)

RB Doug Martin: Rushed for 16 yards (9 after contact) on 9 attempts, 1 penalty, allowed 2 quarterback hits on 6 pass block snaps, caught 3 passes for 19 yards on 5 attempts

RG Jamon Meredith: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 46 pass block snaps, 1 penalty

RT Demar Dotson: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries on 58 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 2 attempts

WR Tiquan Underwood: Caught 3 passes for 46 yards on 5 attempts on 51 pass snaps, 3.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

TE Dallas Clark: Caught 8 passes for 42 yards on 12 attempts on 45 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 2 interceptions when thrown to

CB Anthony Gaitor: Allowed 8 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 penalty, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 2 missed tackles

LOLB Lavonte David: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 2 missed tackles, allowed 4 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts

CB Danny Gorrer: Allowed 3 catches for 41 yards on 4 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 missed tackle

RE Daniel Te’o Nesheim: Did not record a pressure on 23 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Carolina Panthers: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Panthers

Last week: 25 (+4)

Record: 5-9

Net points per drive: -0.20 (21st)

DVOA: 3.4% (14th)

Weighted DVOA: 8.1% (11th)

The Panthers have actually been playing some good football lately and have been an underrated team all year, losing just twice by more than 6 points (once on Thursday Night, in a game they were completely unprepared for). However, they’ve won 3 of their last 4, including two on the road and one against the Falcons and their only loss was to the Chiefs, the day after the Jovan Belcher incident. They have a very winnable game against the Raiders this week and might even go into New Orleans and win week 17, though, as the Saints proved last week, that’s still not a fun place to go into and play.

Studs

FB Mike Tolbert: Rushed for 40 yards (21 after contact) and 2 touchdowns on 9 attempts, 1 broken tackle, caught 2 passes for 24 yards on 2 attempts

LOLB Thomas Davis: Allowed 5 catches for 22 yards on 7 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

RE Greg Hardy: 3 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 25 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles, 4 stops

LE Charles Johnson: 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 25 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 2 stops

K Graham Gano: 6 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 71.0 yards per kickoff, 20.3 opponent’s average starting distance, 1/1 FG (33)

Duds

RT Byron Bell: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards on 4 attempts

LG Amini Silatolu: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 17 yards on 4 attempts

WR Brandon LaFell: Was not thrown to on 20 pass snaps

WR Louis Murphy: Caught 2 passes for 18 yards on 5 attempts on 32 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

DT Andre Neblett: 1 quarterback hurry on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle

P Brian Nortman: 4 punts for 158 yards, 1 inside 20, 1 return for 23 yards, 28.8 net yards per punt

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Miami Dolphins: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Dolphins

Last week: 21 (-1)

Record: 6-8

Net points per drive: -0.04 (17th)

DVOA: -4.7% (18th)

Weighted DVOA: -6.4% (20th)

The Dolphins are also done winning I think. They almost definitely won’t win in New England week 17, but they might be so distracted by that game that they get upset this week at home by the Dolphins. The Dolphins typically don’t do well at home, especially when favored, and they don’t do well before playing the Patriots. Divisional favorites before being divisional dogs rarely cover (see Indianapolis/Tennessee week 14) and the Bills might be even more overlooked coming off a huge loss, when in reality, they were actually playing solid football before a good Seahawks team blew them out in a Toronto game they typically don’t get up for. They should finish 6-10.

Studs

QB Ryan Tannehill: 22 of 28 for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 drop, 111.8 adjusted QB rating, rushed for 52 yards (26 after contact) on 8 attempts

LG Richie Incognito: Did not allow a pressure on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 1 attempt

CB Bryan McCann: Allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

FS Chris Clemons: 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, allowed 1 catch for 0 yards on 3 attempts

LOLB Kevin Burnett: 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 7 stops, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 9 blitzes, allowed 2 catches for 26 yards on 2 attempts

LE Cameron Wake: 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 30 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

K Dan Carpenter: 6 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 71.8 yards per kickoff, 19.8 opponent’s average starting distance, 3/3 FG (30, 31, 53)

Duds

DT Tony McDaniel: Did not record a pressure on 22 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Buffalo Bills: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, Bills

Last week: 23 (+0)

Record: 5-9

Net points per drive: -0.58 (28th)

DVOA: -10.0% (22nd)

Weighted DVOA: -7.8% (22nd)

The Bills have two divisional games left with equal caliber teams. They beat the Dolphins in Buffalo and now travel to Miami. They lost to the Jets in New York and now host them. Common logic says they should split those two games, which would put them at 6-10. I don’t put too much stock into that Seattle loss as, for whatever reason, they never get up for those stupid Toronto games, but they were playing solid football before that and I think they have a better chance to finish 7-9 than 5-11.

Studs

RB CJ Spiller: Rushed for 103 yards (30 after contact) and a touchdown on 17 attempts, 5 broken tackles, caught 3 passes for -2 yards on 5 attempts, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 10 pass block snaps

LG Andy Levitre: Didn’t allow a pressure on 48 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 2 attempts

C David Snow: Didn’t allow a pressure on 48 pass block snaps, run blocked for 21 yards on 5 attempts

WR Steve Johnson: Caught 8 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts on 43 pass snaps, 4.1 YAC per catch, 1 drop

FS Jairus Byrd: Allowed 1 catch for -3 yards on 1 attempt, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

SS George Wilson: Allowed 1 catch for 14 yards on 1 attempt, 7 solo tackles, 3 assists, 4 stops

LE Mario Williams: 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 25 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

Duds

LT Cordy Glenn: Allowed 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 48 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 25 yards on 3 attempts

WR TJ Graham: Caught 3 passes for 32 yards on 8 attempts on 46 pass snaps, 3.3 YAC per catch, 4 drops

WR Brad Smith: Caught 3 passes for 26 yards on 4 attempts on 36 pass snaps, 2.3 YAC per catch

RE Kyle Moore: Did not record a pressure on 20 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

CB Ron Brooks: 2 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles, allowed 1 catch for 4 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts

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