Month: September 2013

Kansas City Chiefs: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

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Sure, it was just the Jaguars, but the Chiefs’ defense looked really impressive. As bad as the Jaguars were last season, they were never shut out offensively. Shutting out any NFL team is impressive. The Chiefs already had a bunch of talented players on that unit, but if Dontari Poe can play like he did week 1 going forward and make good on his 1st round talent, it’ll make them even more dangerous, with guys like Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Justin Houston.

Week 1 Studs

LT Branden Albert

C Rodney Hudson

DT Dontari Poe

LOLB Justin Houston

MLB Derrick Johnson

SS Eric Berry

Week 1 Duds

None

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New York Giants: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

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Obviously, turning the ball over 6 times is not what you want to do, but the Giants very impressively kept it within 5 despite that. Since 1989, teams are 6-142 and lose by an average of 17.6 points per game when losing the turnover battle by 5. The Giants had a chance to win late and still kept it within a touchdown. The good news for the Giants: since 1989, teams that lose the turnover battle by 5, on average, have a turnover margin of +0.0 in the following game. The bad news is that Eli is going to have a much harder time throwing 450 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Broncos this week.

Week 1 Studs

QB Eli Manning

WR Reuben Randle

DT Linval Joseph

FS Ryan Mundy

Week 1 Duds

RB David Wilson

TE Brandon Myers

LT William Beatty

RG Chris Snee

LE Justin Tuck

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Pittsburgh Steelers: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

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I had the Steelers making the playoffs in the strength of their defense, which would be helped by the return of Troy Polamalu and, to a lesser extent, Ike Taylor from injury. They had a solid start, holding the Titans to 16 points. However, they can’t make the playoffs if their offense continues this way. I’m not giving up on their offense. It’s very tough to lose your starting center mid-game, but the Steelers did a great job snatching up Fernando Velasco to replace Maurkice Pouncey. With a week to get him worked in, they should have a much better offensive line. It’s also very possible that the Titans, who were 8th in the NFL in opponent’s scoring in 2011, will be a much improved defense this season. It’s also possible that Roethlisberger isn’t the same quarterback at age 31 and that Todd Haley’s system is really holding him back. Time will tell. Either way, Le’Veon Bell returning strong from injury will be a huge boost.

Week 1 Studs

QB Ben Roethlisberger

DT Steve McClendon

CB William Gay

Week 2 Duds

RT Marcus Gilbert

C Kelvin Beachum

RB La’Rod Stephens-Howling

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Cincinnati Bengals: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

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Andy Dalton was 1-11 against future playoff teams in his career, completing 250 of 445 (56.2%) for 2934 yards (6.6 YPA), 12 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Bengals lost week 1 in Chicago to the Bears, a team that could be a playoff team. Andy Dalton played better in a near win, completing 26 of 33 for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he also threw 2 back-breaking interceptions. This should continue to be something that works against the Bengals going forward. I don’t buy they’re the favorites in the AFC North. This week, they host Pittsburgh in a real benchmark game for both teams.

Week 1 Studs

QB Andy Dalton

RT Andre Smith

LE Carlos Dunlap

RE Michael Johnson

DT Geno Atkins

Week 1 Duds

None

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Philadelphia Eagles: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

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Chip Kelly’s offense looked very good in its first real test against Washington, but I’ll need to see it against a better defense. Washington might have the worst secondary in the NFL. I believe the offensive line can’t continue its dominance as long as it’s healthy and that both LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson can continue to be serious weapons in Chip Kelly’s offense, but I need to see Vick make harder difficulty throws. He was throwing to open guys all night. ProFootballFocus agrees, actually grading him below average as a passer for his game. I also have a lot of concerns about this defense and their ability to stop guys even when they can’t force turnovers. It’s a good start, but it’s important to not get ahead of ourselves.

Week 1 Studs

RB LeSean McCoy

RT Lane Johnson

LG Evan Mathis

C Jason Kelce

WR DeSean Jackson

CB Cary Williams

Week 1 Duds

MLB DeMeco Ryans

MLB Mychal Kendricks

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Tennessee Titans: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

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In 2011, the Titans were 8th in the NFL in opponent’s scoring. In 2012, they were 32nd and I couldn’t exactly figure out why. They were one of the true wild cards of this season for me for that reason. They certainly looked closer to 2011 than 2012 in Pittsburgh, holding the Steelers to one late touchdown all game. If they can continue that, they’re going to be tough this season. They’re one of the true risers on this list.

Week 1 Studs

DT Jurrell Casey

Week 1 Duds

TE Delanie Walker

RT David Stewart

C Robert Turner

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Washington Redskins: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

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Robert Griffin threw 4 interceptions all last regular season. Now he has 4 interceptions in his last 2 games combined, including the playoff loss to Seattle. It’s worth noting that Tom Brady had one of the worst seasons of his career in the season after returning from his ACL tear and he had 4 months extra to recover and had no prior injury. He also wasn’t nearly as reliant on his legs as Griffin. Griffin wasn’t stepping into throws and took off running just 5 times. He’ll improve as the season goes on, but it’s very possible we don’t see 2012 RG3 until 2014.

Week 1 Studs

LT Trent Williams

Week 1 Duds

QB Robert Griffin

RB Alfred Morris

RE Stephen Bowen

MLB London Fletcher

FS EJ Biggers

SS Bacarri Rambo

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Miami Dolphins: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

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I’m sticking with my prediction that Mike Wallace doesn’t last beyond 3 years of his monster 5-year, 60 million dollar deal with the Dolphins. Wallace held out long into Training Camp last off-season, putting himself above the team and was not the same all season. He caught just 55.2% of the passes thrown his way and averaged just 13.1 yards per catch. This off-season, he chased the cash and went to Miami and it’s predictable he could coast. He certainly did not look good in the Dolphins opener, catching just 1 pass for 15 yards. Yes, he was matched up with Joe Haden, but if you pay a receiver elite money, you expect him to be able to beat elite cornerbacks or at least hold his own. Fortunately for the Dolphins, Brian Hartline bailed out their passing game, but most teams don’t have as poor supporting defensive backs as the Browns.

Week 1 Studs

WR Brian Hartline

LE Cameron Wake

DT Paul Soliai

FS Reshad Jones

Week 1 Duds

RB Lamar Miller

RT Tyson Clabo

RE Olivier Vernon

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St. Louis Rams: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

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As I said in the Cardinals’ write up, the Rams and Cardinals are more evenly matched than maybe any teams in the NFL and that if they were to play in Arizona, the Cardinals would win by a field goal. Sam Bradford looks much improved thanks to an improved receiving corps, led by Jared Cook, completing 27 of 38 yards for 299 yards, 2 touchdowns, and pick. However, their secondary remains very vulnerable. They might have the worst pair of starting safeties in the NFL and Cortland Finnegan continues to not be the player they thought they were signing last off-season, being torched to the tune of 6 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts. They’ll have a hard time making the playoffs in the loaded NFC.

Week 1 Studs

LE Chris Long

RE Robert Quinn

LE William Hayes

DT Michael Brockers

Week 1 Duds

LG Chris Williams

RE Eugene Sims

MLB James Laurinaitis

CB Cortland Finnegan

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Arizona Cardinals: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

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I predicted the Rams would beat the Cardinals by a field goal and that’s exactly what happened. Those two teams might be the most evenly matched in the NFL and I’m confident if they were to play again, this time in Arizona, Arizona would win by a field goal. I expect both teams to finish with the same record. The Cardinals’ passing offense looks infinitely improved over last season, with Carson Palmer throwing to 3 talented wide receivers, and they would be a playoff contender in the weaker AFC, but their inability to pass protect and run the football will hurt them in the loaded NFC.

Week 1 Studs

QB Carson Palmer

WR Larry Fitzgerald

WR Andre Roberts

RE Matt Shaughnessy

Week 2 Duds

LT Levi Brown

RT Eric Winston

RG Paul Fanaika

LE Darnell Dockett

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