Year: 2012

Baltimore Ravens: 2012 Week 2 Power Rankings (#14)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Ravens

Last week: 15 (+1)

Record: 1-0

This is the first in 4 straight controversial rankings. Two of my early season bold predictions, Titans over Ravens and Rams over 49ers, took a hit on an otherwise solid week 1, but I hate to change predictions after 1 week. I’d rather be wrong than flip flop because I think I’m wrong and then be proven right. Everyone is wrong about stuff. If I’m wrong about this, I can live with that, but I’m sticking with my preseason predictions for the most part. The Ravens played a Bengals team I pegged as overrated to begin the year, for various reasons, and I had a feeling they would blow them out in Baltimore.

I was not surprised about anything that happened in that game and I’m not changing my prediction after it. Joe Flacco and the offense shredded an overrated Bengals defense and their defense, that lost several key players this offseason and has several aging veterans, allowed 322 yards to an overrated Bengals offense. Against tougher competition, their offense might not look quite so improved and their defense could really get exposed. On top of that, this team really struggled with both consistency and playing on the road last year. If they continue to do that, they’ll lose in Philadelphia next week. If they beat Philadelphia and conquer that, they’ll move up.

Studs

QB Joe Flacco: 21 of 29 for 309 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, 1 hit as thrown, 109.8 adjusted QB rating, pressured 9 times

RB Ray Rice: 68 yards (35 after contact) and 2 touchdowns on 10 carries, 2 broken tackles, 3 catches for 25 yards on 4 targets

MLB Ray Lewis: 7 solo tackles, 6 stops on 23 run snaps, 1 sack on 4 blitzes, allowed 3 completions for 18 yards on 6 attempts

SS Bernard Pollard: Allowed 1 completion for 6 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 batted pass, 1 quarterback pressure on 5 blitzes, 6 solo tackles and 3 stops on 24 run snaps

FS Ed Reed: Allowed 1 completion for 5 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles and 1 missed tackle on 22 run snaps

K Justin Tucker: 9 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 72.6 yards per kickoff, 19.0 average starting position, 3/3 FG (39, 40, 46)

Duds

LOLB Paul Kruger: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle on 23 run snaps

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Dallas Cowboys: 2012 Week 2 Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys

Last week: 17 (+2)

Record: 1-0

The Cowboys beat the Giants because Tony Romo had one of the best games of his career. However, they committed 13 penalties, which could have easily derailed them, but Tony Romo wouldn’t let it happen and kept coming up with big throw after big throw. They’ll be right in the NFC East mix, where all 4 teams are evenly matched, but they’ll have to clean that up.

Studs

QB Tony Romo: 22 of 29 for 307 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 109.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured 12 times

RB DeMarco Murray: 132 yards rushing (93 after contact) on 20 carries, 2 broken tackles, 2 catches for 9 yards on 2 targets

WR Kevin Ogletree: 8 catches for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 targets on 22 passing snaps, 1 interception when thrown at, 4.5 YAC per catch

RE Jason Hatcher: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hits, and 4 quarterback pressures on 29 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles and 2 stops on 14 run stop snaps, 1 penalty

ROLB DeMarcus Ware: 2 sacks and 3 quarterback pressures on 27 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops on 20 run stop snaps, 1 penalty

RILB Sean Lee: 10 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops on 20 run stop snaps, 6 completions for 39 yards allowed on 6 attempts

P Chris Jones: 2 punts for 108 yards, 1 return for 5 yards, 51.5 net yards per punt, 2 of 2 inside the 20

Duds

LT Tyron Smith: 3 quarterback pressures allowed, 4 penalties committed, run blocked for 15 yards on 3 carries

TE Jason Witten: 2 catches for 10 yards on 3 targets on 21 passing snaps, 2 penalties, 1.5 YAC per catch

RT Doug Free: 3 quarterback pressures allowed, 2 penalties committed, run blocked for 7 yards on 1 carry

FS Gerald Sensabaugh: 1 solo tackle, 2 missed tackles, wasn’t thrown on

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Washington Redskins: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Commanders

Last week: 16 (+0)

Record: 1-0

There isn’t much that needs to be said. The Redskins went into New Orleans with a rookie quarterback and beat a Saints team that was undefeated at home last year. The defense is a bit of a concern, but then again, they were playing Drew Brees, and any potential Robert Griffin week to week inconsistencies are also a concern and very possible because he is a rookie, but this team is surely in the mix in a tough NFC East. It’s really anyone’s division and several good teams are going to end up missing the playoffs

Studs

C Will Montgomery: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 69 yards on 15 carries

OT Trent Williams: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked 25 yards on 5 carries, 1 penalty

QB Robert Griffin: 19 of 26 for 320 yards, 3 touchdowns, 3 drops, and 1 throw away, 119.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured 8 times, 42 yards rushing (28 after contact) on 9 carries, 1 broken tackle

WR Pierre Garcon: 4 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on 4 targets on 5 pass snaps, 24.8 YAC per catch

LOLB Ryan Kerrigan: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 7 quarterback pressures on 49 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle, 2 stops on 15 run snaps

CB Josh Wilson: Allowed 1 completion for 25 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles and 1 assist on 15 run snaps

K Billy Cundiff: 9 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks, 73.7 yards per kickoff, 20.8 average starting distance, 4/4 on field goals (37, 37, 41, 45)

Duds

LE Adam Carriker: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop on 10 run snaps

WR Josh Morgan: 1 catch for 21 yards on 2 targets on 24 pass snaps, 7.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 22 (-5)

Record: 1-0

Before the season started, I picked the Buccaneers as an underrated team for several reasons. I’m not going to repeat myself completely, but basically free agent additions, new coaching staff, fewer turnovers, 3 starters through the draft, and guys coming back from injury and having bounce back year. Basically, I picked the Buccaneers somewhere in between the 4-12 they were last year and the 10-6 they were in 2010 and I settled on 7 wins. That might have been a little low. The defense looked night and day better from last year (thanks to a finally healthy Gerald McCoy) and they keep that up, 9 or 10 wins or more seems about right. The Buccaneers will put themselves to the test this week against the Giants and go into the game 3-14 over the last 2 years against teams that finish .500 or better.

Studs

C Jeremy Zuttah: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures allowed on 31 pass block plays, run blocked for 23 yards on 4 carries

RB Doug Martin: 95 yards (63 after contact) on 24 carries, 4 broken tackles, 4 catches for 23 yards on 4 attempts, 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures allowed on 5 pass block plays

DT Gerald McCoy: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback pressures on 36 pass rush snaps, 1 tackle and 1 stop on 12 run plays

CB Aqib Talib: Allowed 3 completions for 63 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 4 solo tackles and 2 stops on 14 run plays

LOLB Lavonte David: 1 quarterback pressure on 8 blitzes, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle on 14 run snaps, allowed 1 completion for 4 yards

P Michael Koenen: 5 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 74.6 yards per kickoff, opponent’s average starting position of 20.4 yards

Duds

RG Ted Larsen: 1 quarterback hits, 1 quarterback pressure allowed, 2 penalties, run blocked 6 times for 23 yards

RE Adrian Clayborn: 0 sacks, 0 quarterback hits, 0 quarterback pressures on 35 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle, 1 stop on 13 run snaps

FS Mark Barron: Allowed 5 completions for 91 yards and 1 touchdown on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackles on 14 run snaps

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New York Giants: Week 2 Power Rankings (#18)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Giants

Last week: 14 (-4)

Record: 0-1

Yes, they may be defending Super Bowl champs, but they were also the worst regular season team to even win the Super Bowl in terms of wins and point differential. They’re a good team that can get hot, but not an elite team. I said that before the season and I stand by it now. They have major problems in the secondary and on the offensive line and while they have the talent to make the playoffs, they play in football’s most crowded division in the tougher conference. I think the 4 NFC East teams will all cannibalize each other in divisional play, finish with 8-10 wins, and only send one team to the playoffs.

Studs

QB Eli Manning: 21 of 32 for 213 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 4 drops and 1 throw away, 106.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured 15 times

RE Jason Pierre-Paul: 6 quarterback pressures on 30 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 stop on 30 run stop snaps

LOLB Keith Rivers: 6 tackles, 1 assists, and 4 stops on 13 run stop snaps, 1 completion for 10 allowed yards allowed on 2 attempts

LOLB Michael Boley: 1 quarterback pressure on 4 blitzes, 1 interception and no completions allowed on 2 attempts

P Steve Weatherford: 4 punts for 201 yards, 3 of 4 inside the 20, one touchback, 3 returns for 3 yards, 44.5 net yards per punt

Duds

RT David Diehl: 2 sacks, 5 quarterback pressures allowed, run blocked for 4 yards on 2 carries

LT Sean Locklear: 1 quarterback hit, 4 quarterback pressures allowed, run blocked for 8 yards on 3 carries

RB David Wilson: 4 yards on 2 carries, 1 fumble

WR Victor Cruz: 6 catches for 58 yards on 11 targets, 3 drops on 36 pass plays, 2 penalties, 2.8 YAC per catch

CB Corey Webster: 5 completions allowed for 127 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts and 1 deflection

CB Justin Tyron: 3 completions allowed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 1 missed special teams tackle

LE Justin Tuck: No sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 21 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 stop on 24 run stop snaps

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New York Jets: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Jets

Last week: 23 (+4)

Record: 1-0

The Jets didn’t score a touchdown with their 1st or 2nd team offense all preseason and then they score 48 against the Bills week 1? What the hell? Well, all of their offensive problems are not solved. They may have scored 48, but 14 of those were scored by the defense or special teams and several other scores were helped by great field position as a result of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s ineptitude. Those 48 points don’t tell the whole story. The Jets’ yardage total ranked just 11th in the league last week. Good, but not great. Plus, once the Bills got down big, their defense just quit. Something tells me it’ll be different when they go to Pittsburgh this week. Mark Sanchez is still a quarterback with a mediocre career QB rating throwing to a weak group of receivers, led by a raw 2nd round rookie who will be predictably inconsistent on a week to week basis.

NY Jets

Studs

QB Mark Sanchez: 19 of 27 for 266 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 spike, 1 drop, 113.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured 8 times

WR Jeremy Kerley: 4 catches for 45 yards and a touchdown on 4 targets on 18 pass plays, 0.8 YAC per catch, 1 punt return for 68 yards and a touchdown

CB Darrelle Revis: Allowed 2 completions for 14 yards on 7 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, 4 tackles and 1 stop on 24 run plays

CB Antonio Cromartie: Allowed 2 completions for 17 yards on 6 attempts, 1 interception, 2 solo tackles on 27 run plays

K Nick Folk: 9 kickoffs for an average of 71.8 yards per, 4 touchbacks, average starting position of 20.1, 2/2 on FGs (25, 39)

Duds

LG Matt Slauson: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 29 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards on 4 carries

RB Shonn Greene: 94 yards (73 after contact) and a touchdown on 27 carries, 2 fumbles, 1 broken tackle

FS LaRon Landry: Allowed 4 completions for 60 yards on 4 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 2 stops, and 3 missed tackles on 30 run snaps, 2 quarterback hits on 3 blitzes

MLB Bart Scott: 4 solo tackles, 3 stops, and 4 missed tackles on 30 run plays

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Indianapolis Colts: 2012 Week 2 Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Colts

Last week: 18 (-2)

Record: 0-1

No shame in losing to the Bears, who might be the best team in football. I had the Colts and Bears both as underrated teams going into the season and now I think the Colts might be even more underrated after a big loss to an underrated opponent. Seriously, how the hell is this team home dogs for the Vikings? How is any team home dogs for the Vikings?

Studs

WR Reggie Wayne: 9 catches for 135 yards on 18 targets, 1 interception when thrown to, 4.3 YAC per catch on 49 pass plays

P Mat McAfee: 4 kickoffs, 2 touchbacks, 69.0 yards per kickoff, average start on 21.0, 5 punts, 51.4 yards per punt, 1 return for 23 yards, 42.8 net yards per punt

Duds

QB Andrew Luck: 23 of 44 for 309 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions, 1 batted pass, 3 drops, 64.8 adjusted QB rating, pressured 15 times

CB Vontae Davis: Allowed 6 completions for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 attempts, 1 penalty, 5 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 2 stops on 30 run snaps

ROLB Jerry Hughes: 2 quarterback pressures on 23 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle on 28 run snaps

LE Cory Redding: 1 quarterback hit, 2 quarterback pressures on 33 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 0 tackles or stops on 24 run snaps

RE Fili Moala: 1 quarterback pressure on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop on 25 run snaps

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Buffalo Bills: Week 2 Power Rankings (#21)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Bills

Last week: 11 (-10)

Record: 0-1

I don’t often admit I’m wrong after week 1 (more on this later) because it’s one game and the last thing I want to do is flip flop after one week and then eventually find out I was right the first time. However, I’m pretty sure I’m wrong about the Bills getting into the playoffs on the decent quarterback, good running game, good defense, easy schedule model. That only works if your quarterback isn’t horrendous, which Fitzpatrick was against the Jets.

Fitzpatrick was 18 of 32 for 195 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, including a pick six and was even worse than that would suggest because a lot of those yards and touchdown came in garbage time. He set the Jets up with great field position all game and even gave their offense a free 7, which made it impossible for their defense to have a good game. It also doesn’t help that the defense mailed it in after getting down big early with the Jets capitalizing on great field position.

Their defense is still talented and they’ll still be able to run the ball without Fred Jackson because CJ Spiller is awesome (169 yards on 14 carries) and their schedule is still easy, so maybe they can sneak into the playoffs with the right luck, but they should be demand a full refund on that giant contract they gave Fitzpatrick because his late season slump last year does not appear to have been a fluke. In fact, Bills fans should be hoping they don’t sneak into the playoffs, because that would really hurt their chances of landing a franchise quarterback through the draft.

Studs

RB CJ Spiller: 169 yards rushing (133 after contact) and a touchdown on 14 carries, 8 broken tackles, 2 catches for 25 yards on 3 attempts

C Eric Wood: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 28 yards on 5 attempts

DT Kyle Williams: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 3 stops on 26 run snaps, 1 quarterback hit on 25 pass rush snaps

ROLB Arthur Moats: 4 solo tackles, 2 assists and 3 stops on 24 run snaps

LOLB Nick Barnett: 8 solo tackles, 1 assist and 5 stops on 35 run snaps, allowed 2 catches for 27 yards on 2 attempts

Duds

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Completed 18 of 32 for 195 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, 60.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured 12 times

LE Mario Williams: 1 quarterback hit on 26 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle and 1 stop on 35 run snaps

CB Leodis McKelvin: Allowed 6 catches for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns on 6 attempts, 3 solo tackles and 1 missed tackle on 3 run snaps

CB Stephon Gilmore: Allowed 4 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 1 stop on 37 run snaps

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Detroit Lions: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Lions

Last week: 20 (-2)

Record: 1-0

I got several things wrong week 1, finishing 8-8 ATS and 9-7 SU on the week, and several of my bolder preseason predictions are looking kind of shaky (more on that later), but one thing I nailed was that St. Louis would be better than people thought and Detroit would be worse. The odds makers seemed to agree with me, setting the line for Detroit/St. Louis at -7.5 Detroit and a lot of people lost a lot of money betting on Detroit as Detroit needed a late comeback to beat the Rams by 4 at home, helping me nail my pick of the week. I’ll continue to bet against Detroit until they prove me wrong or the odds makers catch up.

They can pass the ball well and it’s a passing league, but their terrible secondary that made Sam Bradford look good (17 for 25 for 198 yards and a touchdown) will cancel a lot of that out. They also don’t have a lot of running back talent and I don’t trust their run defense, ranked 28th in the league last year, even though they did a good job on Steven Jackson this week. On top of all that, they’re a penalty prone team who had a distracting offseason, they have a tough schedule, and as a team, they’re incredibly dependant on a connection of Stafford to Johnson that hasn’t been the most durable in their careers.

Studs

LB Rob Sims: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 2 carries

C Dominic Raiola: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 26 yards and a touchdown on 4 carries

DT Corey Williams: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit on 19 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles and 2 stops on 16 snaps

K Jason Hanson: 6 kickoffs, 71.5 yards per kickoff, 4 touchbacks, average starting distance of 20.0, 2/2 on FGs (41, 45)

Duds

WR Titus Young: 1 catch for 14 yards on 3 attempts on 27 pass plays, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

RE Kyle Vanden Bosch: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 23 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop and 1 missed tackle on 17 run plays

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Carolina Panthers: Week 2 Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Panthers

Last week: 21 (-2)

Record: 0-1

Jonathan Stewart has more rushing yards than DeAngelo Williams this year and he didn’t even play this weekend. The Buccaneers had the league’s 31st ranked run defense last year and the Panthers had the league’s 1st ranked run offense, so naturally the Panthers would rush for 10 yards on 13 carries against the Buccaneers week 1. I expect that to be a fluke and the Buccaneers were one of my underrated teams coming into the season, so there’s no shame in losing to them, but more concerning is Cam Newton’s performance. He completed 23 of 33 for 303 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions and looks more likely to have a sophomore slump than take the next step. If that’s true, the league’s 27th ranked scoring defense in 2011 will have to pick up the slack if they want to avoid another sub .500 season and I just don’t think they have the talent.

Studs

LT Jordan Gross: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 38 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

RT Byron Bell: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 38 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 2 attempt

WR Steve Smith: Caught 7 passes for 106 yards on 11 attempts, 1 interception when thrown to, 6.9 YAC per catch on 36 pass plays

RE Greg Hardy: 3 quarterback pressures on 25 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 2 assists and 3 stops on 29 run snaps

CB Captain Munnerlyn: Allowed 1 completion for 2 yards on 3 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle and 1 stop on 19 run snaps

ROLB James Anderson: 6 solo tackles and 5 stops on 33 run snaps, allowed 3 completions for 12 yards on 3 attempts

Duds

LG Amini Silatolu: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback pressures on 38 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt, 2 penalties

RG Geoff Hangartner: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback pressures on 38 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt, 1 penalty

RB DeAngelo Williams: Rushed for -1 yards (12 yards after contact) on 6 carries, broke 1 tackle, 1 reception for 5 yards on 1 target

FS Charles Godfrey: Allowed 2 completions for 35 yards on 2 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops and 3 missed tackles on 36 run snaps

CB Josh Norman: 3 solo tackles on 23 run snaps, allowed 3 completions for 28 yards on 3 attempts, 1 penalty

LOLB Luke Kuechly: 5 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle on 28 run snaps, allowed 3 completions for 31 yards on 3 attempts

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