Year: 2012

San Francisco 49ers: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#6)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, 49ers

Last week: 6 (+0)

Record: 6-2-1

Under St. Louis’ write up, I made a sarcastic comment about ties. Now it’s time for a full, serious rant. The NFL’s overtime rules are ridiculous. I love that they changed it so you can’t win with a field goal on your opening drive, but they need to make a change so there are no more ties. No one wins in a tie. Both teams lose. Teams bust their ass for 75 minutes playing the one of the most physically demanding sports in America and the net result is zero. It’s like the game didn’t even happen. It’s soccer. This is not Europe! America has winners and losers! We should not have ties!!!

The NFL should just adopt college football’s overtime rules. That’s the one thing the NCAA does so much better than the NFL (that and pass interference being 15 yards instead of a spot foul). At the very least, they should do some kind of sudden death NHL style shoot out with field goal kickers. I know having an NFL game decided by kickers is less than ideal, but it does happen all the time (if Akers had hit from 41, this game would have been decided by a field goal kicker). Plus, at least we’d have a winner.

Studs

LOLB Ahmad Brooks: 5 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 3 batted passes, 1 penalty, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops

ROLB Aldon Smith: 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops

Duds

LG Mike Iupati: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 attempts

RG Adam Boone: Allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 21 yards on 3 attempts

RT Anthony Davis: Allowed 1 sack and 6 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 1 attempt

TE Vernon Davis: Caught 4 passes for 30 yards on 5 attempts on 32 pass block snaps, 0.3 YAC per catch, allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 5 pass block snaps

WR Kyle Williams: Caught 2 passes for 24 yards on 3 attempts on 19 pass block snaps, 7.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 penalty

FS Dashon Goldson: Allowed 1 catch for 17 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 3 missed tackles

CB Carlos Rogers: Allowed 9 catches for 67 yards on 9 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 2 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

WR Ted Ginn: 5 kickoff returns for 118 yards, 1 fumble, 2 punt returns for 23 yards

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Baltimore Ravens: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#7)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Ravens

Last week: 14 (+7)

Record: 7-2

This team really lucked out. They were looking shaky (even off a 35 point home win) and had 2 games against the Steelers in their next 3 weeks and looked poised to cede their division lead, but Ben Roethlisberger’s injury changes that. They’re still allowing 40 more yards per game than they gain and have only won 2 games by more than 10 points despite an easy schedule. Even in their huge win last week, they still got outgained, just the 4th time since 1989 a team has been outgained and still won by 35 or more. They’ll be a good team to fade in the first round of the playoffs, especially if a healthy Steelers team comes to town.

Studs

LT Michael Oher: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 2 attempts

TE Dennis Pitta: Caught 5 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts on 23 pass snaps, 7.2 YAC per catch

CB Cary Williams: Allowed 3 catches for 27 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop

LOLB Paul Kruger: 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 interception

K Justin Tucker: 10 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 71.7 yards per punt, 20.9 opponent’s average starting distance, 2/2 FG (34, 48)

P Sam Koch: 4 punts for 205 yards, 2 inside 20, 3 returns for 0 yards, 51.3 net yards per punt, rushed for 7 yards and a touchdown on 1 attempt

WR Jacoby Jones: 1 kickoff return for 105 yards and a touchdown, 3 punt returns for 36 yards, caught 2 passes for 54 yards on 3 attempts on 15 pass snaps, 10.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

Duds

CB Corey Graham: Allowed 5 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes

MLB Jameel McClain: Allowed 7 catches for 110 yards on 9 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes

CB Chykie Brown: Allowed 3 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 2 solo tackles

LOLB Courtney Upshaw: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 4 solo tackles, 3 stops

ROLB Terrell Suggs: Did not record a pressure on 34 pass rush snaps, 2 batted passs, 1 assist

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Colts

Last week: 9 (+1)

Record: 6-3

I’ve never seen anything like this ChuckStrong movement in the NFL. It’s spread from the team shaving their heads to citizens of the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding area shaving their heads to even one of the cheerleaders agreeing to shave her head if they can raise $10,000 for cancer research (ballsy girl). This thing has almost become on the level of Lance Armstrong and Jim Valvano. I wouldn’t want to bet against this bunch going forward. Practically speaking, they’re 2 games up on a playoff spot, having won 5 of their last 6 games, including 4 in a row. They have games against Tennessee, Buffalo, and Kansas City, and Houston might be resting starters week 17. Their other 3 games (@ New England, @ Detroit, @ Houston) aren’t impossible either.

Studs

QB Andrew Luck: 18 of 26 for 227 yards and an interception, 4 drops, 111.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 9 of 30 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 of 7, 2 drops, 1 interception)

RG Mike McGlynn: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 1 attempt

CB Darius Butler: Allowed 6 catches for 65 yards on 12 attempts, 2 interceptions, 5 solo tackles

SS Antoine Bethea: Allowed 1 catch for 12 yards on 3 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

MLB Moise Fokou: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 2 assists, 1 stop

P Pat McAfee: 6 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 67.7 yards per kickoff, 19.3 opponents average starting position, 3 punts for 135 yards, 2 inside 20, no returns, 45.0 net yards per punt

Duds

RB Donald Brown: Rushed for 42 yards (25 after contact) on 14 carries, 1 broken tackle, did not catch a pass on 1 attempt

LG Joe Reitz: Allowed 3 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

CB Cassius Vaughn: Allowed 9 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts, 1 penalty, 7 solo tackles, 1 stop

ROLB Dwight Freeney: 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 56 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LE Cory Redding: Did not record a pressure on 43 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Seattle Seahawks: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Seahawks

Last week: 10 (+1)

Record: 6-4

Remember two weeks ago when everyone thought the sky was falling for them when they were 4-4 after losing to Detroit. And two weeks before that everyone thought they were great when they were 4-2 and coming off a win against New England. Well, now they’re 6-4 and everyone thinks they’re great following a blowout win over the Jets. What happened? They went home. This team, as always, is much better at home than on the road, going 5-0 at home with 3 upset wins and 1-4 on the road with 2 upset losses.

Now they go on the road to Miami and Chicago and could be 6-6 at the end of that and everyone will think the sky is falling for them again before they finish up by winning their last 4, beating Arizona, St. Louis, and San Francisco (in upset fashion) at home and taking care of business on the road against crappy Buffalo. 10 wins should get you a playoff spot in the NFC. The Seahawks already have the tiebreaker over the Packers. If they can win their last 3 home games and beat either Miami or Buffalo on the road, they should be on good position to win a wild card berth, go on the road in the first round, and then get sent home immediately.

Studs

QB Russell Wilson: 12 of 19 for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 1 batted pass, 101.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 14 of 26 drop backs (4 sacks, 2 scrambles, 4 of 8, 1 hit as thrown, 1 throw away), rushed for 34 yards (19 yards after contact) on 7 attempts

CB Richard Sherman: Did not allow a completion on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, 1 sack on 1 blitz, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

LOLB Leroy Hill: Allowed 3 catches for 10 yards on 4 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

FS Earl Thomas: Allowed 3 catches for 11 yards on 3 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

Duds

RE Chris Clemons: 1 quarterback hit on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

DT Brandon Mebane: Did not record a pressure on 21 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Steelers

Last week: 7 (-3)

Record: 6-3

Ben Roethlisberger’s injury hurts, but the sky isn’t falling. In Roethlisberger’s career, they are 8-5 when he doesn’t play, starting with his first start week 3 of 2004. They have a 2 game lead over the rest of the AFC for a playoff spot. 9-7 should get you a playoff spot in the AFC and the Steelers just have to go 3-4 to do that against a schedule that isn’t very hard. This really hurts their chances of taking the division (which was up for the taking with 2 games in 3 weeks against an overrated division leading Baltimore squad), but they should still be able to make the playoffs and if they can get everyone healthy for the playoffs (including Troy Polamalu), they’ll still be dangerous.

Studs

RE Brett Keisel: 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 5 stops

LOLB LaMarr Woodley: 2 quarterback hurries on 19 pass rush snaps, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

MLB Lawrence Timmons: Allowed 2 catches for 14 yards on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 5 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 7 blitzes

Duds

RB Isaac Redman: Rushed for 21 yards (11 after contact) on 8 attempts, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 18 yards on 3 attempts, 1 drop

FB Will Johnson: Caught 1 passes for 7 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop, run blocked for 9 yards on 3 attempts

ROLB James Harrison: Did not record a pressure on 19 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops

NT Casey Hampton: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

RB Chris Rainey: 1 punt return for 0 yards, 1 fumble, was not thrown to on 2 pass snaps

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#11)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 11 (+0)

Record: 5-4

If you showed me tape of this team before the bye, I wouldn’t recognize them. Josh Freeman is 90 of 154 for 1467 yards, 13 touchdowns, and an interception in his last 5 games, going 4-1, with the only loss being a winnable one that went down to the last play. Their makeshift offensive line is run blocking and pass protecting well. The Freeman to Vincent Jackson combo is deadly and opening thinks up for Mike Williams and Doug Martin, who is running much better since the bye thanks to improved blocking and the defense fearing the pass. Defensively, as bad as their secondary is, they have a great front 7 led by the finally healthy Gerald McCoy and rookie of the year candidate Lavonte David.

I had this as a sleeper team before the season, but I didn’t have them in the playoffs. By the way, look at my preseason overrated and underrated teams. Underrated: St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Overrated: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions. I messed up on a few, but I’ll take 6 or 7 out of 10 every year.

Studs

QB Josh Freeman: 14 of 20 for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 throw away, 110.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 21 drop backs (1 sack, 7 of 10, 1 touchdown)

RT Demar Dotson: Did not allow a pressure on 21 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 2 attempts

WR Vincent Jackson: Caught 5 passes for 59 yards on 7 attempts on 19 pass snaps, 2.4 YAC per catch

LOLB Lavonte David: 13 solo tackles, 1 assist, 8 stops, 1 missed tackle, 3 quarterback hurries on 9 blitzes, allowed 6 catches for 36 yards on 6 attempts

RE Daniel Te’o Nesheim: 1 sack and 7 quarterback hurries on 35 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

DT Gerald McCoy: 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 38 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

LE Michael Bennett: 2 quarterback hits and 3 quarterback hurries on 32 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

P Michael Koenen: 7 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 73.3 yards per kickoff, 20.3 opponents average starting distance, 3 punts for 134 yards, 1 inside 20, 1 return for 11 yards, 41.0 net yards per punt

Duds

LT Donald Penn: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 21 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 4 attempts

C Ted Larsen: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries on 21 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 2 attempts

RG Jamon Meredith: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 21 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

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Dallas Cowboys: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#12)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys

Last week: 17 (-5)

Record: 4-5

I said anything could happen in the Dallas/Philadelphia game. Apparently me believing in the Cowboys again qualifies. They play 5 of their last 7 at home. After having the league’s toughest schedule through 8 games, they have the league’s 2nd easiest over their final 7 and that includes Pittsburgh, who just lost their starting quarterback and might be the only above average team left on their schedule. They don’t have to play the Giants like they did last year. They rank 10th in yards per play differential and 12th in rate of sustaining drives differential. They haven’t turned the ball over in the last 2 weeks and their turnover differential is improving, something I said would probably happen. If they can go +0 in turnovers or better the rest of the way, they can win 9 or 10 games and the division.

Studs

QB Tony Romo: 19 of 26 for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 throw away, 1 batted pass, 101.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 12 of 29 drop backs (3 sacks, 7 of 9, 1 throw away)

CB Orlando Scandrick: Allowed 5 catches for 31 yards on 9 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 penalty, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops

CB Brandon Carr: Allowed 4 catches for 56 yards on 7 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LOLB Anthony Spencer: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops

WR Dwayne Harris: 4 punt returns for 97 yards and a touchdown

Duds

LT Tyron Smith: 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 29 pass block snaps

C Ryan Cook: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 29 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards on 6 attempts

CB Morris Claiborne: 5 penalties, allowed 4 catches for 44 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

RE Jason Hatcher: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 41 pass rush snaps, 2 penalties, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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New York Giants: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Giants

Last week: 8 (-6)

Record: 6-4

Under Tom Coughlin, they are 53-19 in the first 8 games of a season and 27-39 in the final 8. They have a brutal schedule upcoming, as they host Green Bay, New Orleans, and Philadelphia and go to Washington, Atlanta, and Baltimore. They’ll probably end up somewhere around the 9-7 they were last year. However, that might not cut it this year. Look at Dallas’ schedule: they host Cleveland, Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans and they go to Cincinnati and Washington. There’s no reason they can’t go 5-2 and also win 9 games. They rank 10th in yards per play differential and 12th in rate of sustaining drives differential. If they can go +0 or better in turnovers from here on out, they can definitely win this division. I’d be nervous if I was a Giants fan.

Studs

C David Baas: Didn’t allow a pressure on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 50 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts

Duds

LG Kevin Boothe: Allowed 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 1 quarterback hurry on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 21 yards on 4 attempts

WR Victor Cruz: Caught 3 passes for 26 yards on 4 attempts on 53 pass snaps, 0.3 YAC per catch, 1 drop

TE Martellus Bennett: Caught 4 passes for 37 yards on 9 attempts on 40 pass snaps, 2.8 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

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Minnesota Vikings: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 11 NFL Power Rankings, Vikings

Last week: 19 (+4)

Record: 5-4

Their schedule is still brutal from this point out (as is the case with pretty much the whole NFC North) as they head to Chicago, Green Bay, St. Louis, and Houston, while hosting Chicago and Green Bay. How would you like to play Chicago, Green Bay, and Houston in 5 of 6 weeks? However, it’s good they were able to get back in the win column and break Christian Ponder out of his funk. Percy Harvin is due back after the break and they still have the talent to compete if Ponder can continue to play well.

Studs

RB Adrian Peterson: Rushed for 171 yards (62 after contact) and a touchdown on 27 attempts, 4 broken tackles, caught 3 passes for 5 yards on 4 attempts, 1 drop

LT Matt Kalil: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 3 attempts

RT Phil Loadholt: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 15 yards on 1 attempt

ROLB Chad Greenway: 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, allowed 5 catches for 37 yards on 7 attempts, 1 interception

K Blair Walsh: 8 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks, 70.3 yards per punt, 19.1 opponents average starting distance, 4/4 FG (23, 23, 33, 48)

Duds

LG Charlie Johnson: Allowed 5 quarterback hurries on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 19 yards on 4 attempts

RE Jared Allen: 1 quarterback hurry on 41 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

SS Harrison Smith: Allowed 3 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

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