Year: 2012

Tennessee Titans: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

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

Last week: 25 (+7)

Record: 1-2

There’s the Titan team I put in the playoffs at the beginning of the season. Jake Locker looked much more comfortable with Nate Washington and Kenny Britt at full strength, going 29 of 42 for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns, although part of that might be Detroit’s crappy secondary. The Titans do rank 18th in yards per play differential, but I’m not putting them back in the playoffs or anything yet. Chris Johnson is still hilariously bad, even against the type of poor run defense he would have gashed last season, and the young defense is still missing Cortland Finnegan and Colin McCarthy, though the latter is expected back from injury some time soon.

Studs

QB Jake Locker: 29 of 42 for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns, 3 drops, 100.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 7 of 45 drop backs (0 sacks, 3 of 7, 1 drop)

LG Steve Hutchinson: Did not allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 1 attempt

C Fernando Velasco: Did not allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 3 attempts

OT Michael Roos: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 45 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for -5 yards on 1 attempt

CB Alterraun Verner: Allowed 6 catches for 38 yards on 8 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

CB Tommie Campbell: 1 punt return for 65 yards and a touchdown

WR Darius Reynaud: 4 kickoff returns for 174 yards and a touchdown, 1 carry for 0 yards (1 after contact), 1 broken tackle, did not catch a pass on 5 pass snaps

Duds

RB Chris Johnson: Rushed for 24 yards (15 after contact) on 14 carries, 2 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 5 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop

LOLB Will Witherspoon: Allowed 6 catches for 83 yards on 9 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 2 missed tackle

CB Ryan Mouton: Allowed 11 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 1 penalty, 10 solo tackles, 4 stops

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback pressure on 55 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles

LE Scott Solomon: Did not record a pressure on 16 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Carolina Panthers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

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

Last week: 22 (+3)

Record: 1-2

The Panthers looked horrible at home on Thursday Night, but they were the inferior team and superior, veteran, proven teams always have the advantage over teams like the Panthers. The good news is that they still rank 3rd in the league in yards per play differential. They’re getting killed in turnover differential, with a -6, tied for worst with the Eagles, but that tends to even out over time. Well rested, they go into a tough test in Atlanta this week and I think they have a better shot than people are giving them, even if the Falcons are awesome at home.

Studs

RT Garry Williams: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt

Duds

QB Cam Newton: 16 of 30 for 242 yards, 3 interceptions, 2 batted passes, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown, 2 throw aways, 56.2 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 33 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 1 of 3, 1 hit as thrown), rushed for 6 yards (18 after contact) and a touchdown on 6 carries

WR Brandon LaFell: 1 catch for 27 yards on 4 attempts on 39 pass snaps, 6.0 YAC per catch, 2 interceptions when thrown to

SS Charles Godfrey: Allowed 3 catches for 34 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle

RE Antwan Applewhite: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LE Charles Johnson: 1 quarterback hit on 30 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

WR Joe Adams: 2 special teams fumbles, 1 punt return for 0 yards, 5 kickoff returns for 105 yards

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

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

Record: 1-2

Last week: 20 (-1)

Andrew Luck doesn’t have any help. He played well, but losing at home to Jacksonville is embarrassing. The good news is that they outplayed the Jaguars, despite the loss, and they should be getting healthier defensively soon, after the bye. They also have a very easy schedule and Andrew Luck is also the real deal, which is the most important thing in what was probably going to be a lost season anyway. There’s hope for this team for the future, but this was more than a one year rebuild for a team that hasn’t drafted a Pro Bowler since 2006.

Studs

RT Winston Justice: Did not allow a pressure on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 2 attempts

CB Jerraud Powers: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle

Duds

LG Seth Olsen: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 54 pass block snaps, 1 attempt, run blocked for 5 yards on 3 attempts

RG Mike McGlynn: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 54 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 2 yards on 4 attempts

WR Donnie Avery: 2 catches for 28 yards on 8 targets on 53 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch

TE Coby Fleener: Did not catch a pass on 1 target on 22 pass plays, 1 drop,

MLB Kavell Conner: Allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 2 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

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

Last week: 29 (+8)

Record: 2-1

The Bengals, my original pick to go from out of the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, are still in the running. I had them doing do because I thought they were the worst of the 12 playoff teams last season (other than Denver, who added Peyton Manning). Andy Dalton can move the ball well against crappy defenses like Cleveland and Washington, but he’s still never beaten a playoff team, going 0-9 in those games (assuming Baltimore makes the playoffs and Cleveland and Washington don’t). They also have a negative yards per play differential and rank 20th in that regard. However, I think they’ve looked better than both Detroit and New Orleans this year, so those 2 teams have moved down past them on these Power Rankings.

Studs

QB Andy Dalton: 19 of 27 for 328 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 batted pass, 2 drops, 108.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 7 of 30 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble 3 of 4, 1 touchdown, 1 interception)

LG Clint Boling: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 2 attempts

RG Kevin Zeitler: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempts

RT Andre Smith: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 34 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 attempts

WR AJ Green: Caught 9 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets on 34 pass snaps, 6.8 YAC per catch

RE Michael Johnson: 4 sacks and 4 quarterback hits on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 7 stops

LE Carlos Dunlap: 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback pressures on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle, 2 stops

Duds

TE Jermaine Gresham: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 10 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, caught 5 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown on 7 targets on 23 pass snaps, 4.8 YAC per catch, 1 drop

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Rushed for 38 yards (22 after contact) and a touchdown on 17 carries, 2 broken tackles, 1 fumble, did not catch a pass on 1 targets, 1 interception when thrown to

MLB Rey Maualuga: Allowed 7 catches for 89 yards on 7 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 stop, 3 missed tackles

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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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