Month: September 2013

Miami Dolphins: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Dolphins, Uncategorized

Last week: 21

The Dolphins are 2-0 and could definitely be 3-0 in a week if they beat the banged up Falcons in Miami, but they’re more likely to be this year’s Arizona (4-0 in 2012) or Buffalo (3-0 in 2011) than a legitimate playoff contender. I don’t think they’re going to be as bad as either of those two teams ended up, but they’ve played a very easily schedule through two games, facing Cleveland and then an overrated Indianapolis team that can’t stop anyone and almost lost to Oakland the week before.

Week 2 Studs

LG Richie Incognito

RT Randy Starks

CB Brent Grimes

Week 2 Duds

LE Cameron Wake

RE Olivier Vernon

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Philadelphia Eagles: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Eagles, Uncategorized

Last week: 18

The Eagles had another strong offensive performance this week, but the fact that they have forced just 4 punts to 58 first downs allowed has to be incredibly concerning. They have 5 takeaways (and a forced turnover on downs), but they can’t continue relying on that to stop the opposition from scoring. They have to be able to force punts. Their offensive style of play doesn’t help matters as any time they can’t score offensively, it’s usually a very quick drive and not enough time for the defense to rest. Luckily, their offense has played well so far (48 first downs to 9 punts), but if they start struggling, this could really snowball on them if their defense can’t turn it around and I don’t know if they have the talent to.

Week 2 Studs

RB LeSean McCoy

WR DeSean Jackson

LT Jason Peters

C Jason Kelce

LG Evan Mathis

ROLB Trent Cole

Week 2 Duds

RT Lane Johnson

MLB Mychal Kendricks

CB Cary Williams

SS Nate Allen

FS Patrick Chung

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Washington Redskins: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Commanders, Uncategorized

Last week: 19

The Redskins aren’t making the playoffs in the loaded NFC after starting 0-2, but this wasn’t unpredictable. It’s going to take Robert Griffin a year or so to get back to where he was, just like it took Tom Brady when he tore his ACL in 2008. Mike Shanahan insists that the Redskins haven’t abandoned the read option and QB runs because of Griffin’s knee, but because of the game situation, as they’ve frequently been trailing and by a lot of points. That’s a very valid point, but it’s still very possible that Griffin isn’t comfortable running like he once did and either way, it’s probably going to remain a probably going forward. This is one of the worst defenses in the NFL so they’re going to have to pass more than maybe they’d like. They’re starting two rookies in the secondary who are playing like it and the rest of the unit, outside of Kerrigan and Orakpo, is not much better.

Week 2 Studs

WR Pierre Garcon

LT Trent Williams

LG Kory Lichtensteiger

RT Tyler Polumbus

Week 2 Duds

RE Stephen Bowen

MLB London Fletcher

CB David Amerson

FS Reed Doughty

SS Bacarri Rambo

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St. Louis Rams: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Rams, Uncategorized

Last week: 22

The Rams were getting blown out by the Falcons before garbage time and injuries almost got them back into it. The fact remains that they were getting blown out by a team that could struggle to make the playoffs in the NFC. The Rams have talent and would be more of a threat in the AFC, but it’s hard to see them making much noise in an overall loaded NFC.

Week 2 Studs

LT Jake Long

LG Chris Williams

RG Harvey Dahl

RE Robert Quinn

Week 2 Duds

TE Jared Cook

CB Cortland Finnegan

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Arizona Cardinals: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Cardinals, Uncategorized

Last week: 23

The Cardinals showed last week, and week 1 for that matter, that they’re going to be a competitive team in a very tough NFC. Their defense hasn’t been nearly as good as it was last year, thanks to losses in the secondary and the suspension of Daryl Washington, but Washington will be back in 2 weeks. Offensively, they still aren’t pass blocking well, but Carson Palmer has been a perfect fit in Bruce Arians’ system, especially with 3 talented receivers downfield.

Week 2 Studs

RB Andre Ellington

Week 2 Duds

RG Paul Fanaika

TE Jim Dray

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San Diego Chargers: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Chargers, Uncategorized

Last week: 28

The Chargers could easily be 2-0 right now, but they could also easily be 0-2 after playing field goal games in each of their first two games. Their offense seems rejuvenated under new Head Coach Mike McCoy, converting 82.5% of 1st and 10s for another 1st down, but their defense is allowing more than that, allowing 85.7% of 1st and 10s for another 1st down. The Chargers won’t win a lot of games, but they’ve shown they aren’t an easy win for playoff caliber teams either.

Week 2 Studs

QB Philip Rivers

WR Malcom Floyd

RT DJ Fluker

Week 2 Duds

RE Corey Liuget

MLB Donald Butler

CB Shareece Wright

FS Eric Weddle

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Indianapolis Colts: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Colts, Uncategorized

Last week: 26

After a 10-1 start to his career in games decided by a touchdown or less, Andrew Luck finally fell in a close game last week against Miami. Miami isn’t a great team, but they’re better than what the Colts are used to facing, after 7 wins by 7 or less against 7 win or worse teams last season. It’s a problem going forward, especially after almost losing at home to Oakland week 1. Andrew Luck is playing better this year than last year, but the defense might be even worse and the offensive line isn’t doing him any favors either and it won’t get better with Donald Thomas out for the season. They can’t continually rely on Luck to pull a win out of his ass.

Week 2 Studs

LT Anthony Castonzo

Week 2 Duds

RG Mike McGlynn

C Samson Satele

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#26)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers, Uncategorized

Last week: 24

The Buccaneers kept it close at home with the Saints, but it took a Drew Brees pick six and a very strong defensive performance to do so. Josh Freeman once again contributed nothing positive, completing 9 of 22 for 125 yards, 1 touchdown, and an interception. He’s now completed 131 of 262 (50.0%) for 1639 yards (6.3 YPA), 8 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his last 7 games, dating back to last season and with all the negative reports about him and his relationship with his Head Coach and teammate, it seems highly unlikely he lasts the season as the starter and is retained this off-season as a free agent. This week, the Buccaneers have another tough test in New England, likely without the suspended Dashon Goldson and look on their way to wasting what’s otherwise a talented roster.

Week 2 Studs

LT Donald Penn

LOLB Lavonte David

Week 2 Duds

RE Adrian Clayborn

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Buffalo Bills: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#27)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Bills, Uncategorized

Last week: 27

The Bills beat the Panthers at home mostly because the Panthers ran out of healthy defensive backs on their final drive and physically could not play sub packages against a team clearly in pass mode. However, it wasn’t an unimpressive game. Of the Panthers’ 9 losses last season, 4 came by a touchdown or less against 8+ win teams and they also barely lost to the Seahawks week 1. The Bills probably aren’t in that group talent wise, but it wasn’t an unimpressive win.

Week 2 Studs

WR Steve Johnson

LT Cordy Glenn

RE Kyle Williams

ROLB Mario Williams

Week 2 Duds

QB EJ Manuel

LG Colin Brown

ROLB Jerry Hughes

RE Corbin Bryant

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Minnesota Vikings: 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings (#28)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Uncategorized, Vikings

Last week: 25

On paper, almost beating the Bears is Chicago looks impressive, but consider that the Vikings lost despite winning the turnover battle, which only happens about 21% of the time. Christian Ponder didn’t have a bad game, completing 16 of 30 for 227 yards, a touchdown, and an interception and he probably kept Matt Cassel at bay for another week, after it was reported before the game that the Vikings were closer to benching him than you’d think. However, he still needed 123 yards on the ground and two return touchdowns to even keep this one close. My guess is he doesn’t finish the season as the starter if the Vikings are already considering Cassel. It’ll be interesting to see if they go quarterback early in the first round. Johnny Manziel might want to consider getting to know the frat party scene in Minneapolis.

Week 2 Studs

WR Greg Jennings

RT Phil Loadholt

RG Brandon Fusco

C John Sullivan

TE Kyle Rudolph

RE Jared Allen

LE Brian Robison

Week 2 Duds

SS Jamarca Sanford

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