2012 NFL Power Rankings

New England Patriots: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#4)

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Last week: 4 (+0)

Record: 5-3

The team with the best points differential in the league: The New England Patriots. Look out. They have a very easy schedule the rest of the way, host the Bills and Colts, going to the Jets and the Dolphins, hosing the Texans and the 49ers, going to Jacksonville, and hosting the Dolphins. As bad as they have been at nailing down leads in the 4th quarter (8-9 in their last 17 when leading by 10 or fewer going into the 4th quarter), they also have more double digit leads than anyone in the league heading into the 4th and they’ve never blown one of those. Meanwhile, their record in games where they trail by 10 or fewer going into the 4th is also around .500, meaning they’re about .500 in games that are close heading into the 4th quarter. That sounds about right.

Studs

QB Tom Brady: 23 of 35 for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns, 1 throw aways, 3 drops, 108.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 7 of 35 drop backs (3 of 7, 1 throw away)

C Ryan Wendell: Did not allow a pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 29 yards on 6 attempts

LG Donald Thomas: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for -3 yards on 1 attempt

TE Rob Gronkowski: Caught 8 passes for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 attempts on 24 pass snaps, 1 drop

RB Stevan Ridley: Rushed for 127 yards (60 after contact) and a touchdown on 15 attempts

LOLB Jerod Mayo: Allowed 3 catches for 12 yards on 3 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 5 blitzes

CB Alfonzo Dennard: Allowed 1 catch for 16 yards on 3 attempts, 1 interception, 5 solo tackles

RE Chandler Jones: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops

Duds

WR Deion Branch: Did not catch a pass on 1 attempt on 35 pass snaps

DT Vince Wilfork: Did not record a pressure on 20 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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New York Giants: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#5)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Giants

Last week: 5 (+0)

Record: 6-2

The Giants are now 53-19 in the first half of the season under Tom Coughlin, though they are also just 27-37 in the 2nd half of the season. Looking at their schedule, we could see something similar happen. This week, they host the Steelers, then they go to Cincinnati, host the Packers, go to Washington, host the Saints, go to Atlanta, go to Baltimore, and host the Eagles. They have a commanding lead on the NFC East, for now, but it’s not over. The Cowboys have been better than their record suggests and the Eagles are always the opposite of the Giants in the 2nd half of the season.

Studs

LT William Beatty: Did not allow a pressure on 32 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 17 yards on 3 attempts

FS Stevie Brown: Allowed 3 catches for 43 yards on 5 attempts, 2 interceptions, 7 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

DT Chris Canty: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hits on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

MLB Chase Blackburn: 5 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 5 blitzes, allowed 1 catch for 4 yards on 2 attempts

K Lawrence Tynes: 8 kickoffs, 2 touchbacks, 69.5 yards per kickoff, 20.6 average opponent’s starting position, 5/5 FG (26, 37, 37, 41, 43)

P Steve Weatherford: 6 kickoffs for 287 yards, 2 inside 20, 2 returns for 8 yards, 46.5 net yards per punt

Duds

C David Baas: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 32 pass block snaps, run blocked for 65 yards on 12 attempts

WR Victor Cruz: Caught 2 passes for 23 yards on 8 attempts on 29 pass snaps, 3.0 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 1 interception

SS Antrel Rolle: Allowed 4 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 2 solo tackles

LE Justin Tuck: 2 quarterback hurries on 52 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, no tackles

CB Jayron Hosley: Allowed 3 catches for 50 yards on 4 attempts, 3 penalties, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist

LOLB Michael Boley: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 7 catches for 66 yards on 11 attempts

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Denver Broncos: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#6)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Broncos

Last week: 9 (+3)

Record: 4-3

The Broncos rank 2nd in the league in yards per play differential at 1.4, just .1 behind San Francisco, who has looked untouchable for weeks in that category. No one else is above 0.7. They rank just 9th in rate of sustaining drives differential, thanks to a 3rd down defense that 20th. However, they were much better in this area against the Saints in a complete, shut down victory. New Orleans went just 1 of 12 on 3rd down.

The Broncos rank 6th in the league against both the pass and the run on a per play basis and Peyton Manning is playing like vintage Peyton Manning right now, if not better, as he’s completed 107 of 142 for 1289 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 1 interception in his last 4 games. On the season, he’s completing 68.5% of his passes for an average of 8.2 YPA, 17 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, all ahead of career averages. And they’re doing this all against the league’s toughest schedule so far, in terms of opponent’s winning percentage. The rest of the way, they have the easiest schedule. It’s weird to think that just 6 quarters, they looked on the verge of 2-4 and done.

Studs

QB Peyton Manning: 22 of 30 for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns, 1 hit as thrown, 1 drop, 113.8 adjusted QB rating

RB Willis McGahee: Rushed for 122 yards (61 after contact) and a touchdown on 23 attempts, 3 broken tackles, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 33 yards on 2 attempts

LT Ryan Clady: Did not allow a pressure on 33 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 14 yards on 5 attempts

RT Orlando Franklin: Did not allow a pressure on 33 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 37 yards on 6 attempts

RG Chris Kuper: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 31 yards on 4 attempts

WR Demaryius Thomas: Caught 7 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 6.0 YAC per catch

ROLB Von Miller: 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

LOLB Wesley Woodyard: 8 solo tackles, 4 assist, 6 stops, 1 stop, allowed 3 catches for 13 yards on 6 attempts, 1 interception, 1 sack on 11 blitzes

CB Champ Bailey: Allowed 3 catches for 31 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 1 stop

CB Chris Harris: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 4 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

CB Tony Carter: Allowed 3 catches for 29 yards on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

K Matt Prater: 6 kickoffs, 6 touch backs, 75.0 yards per kickoff, 20.0 opponent’s average starting distance, 2/2 FG (33, 33)

Duds

RE Elvis Dumervil: 1 quarterback hurry on 41 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle

MLB Danny Trevathan: Allowed 4 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

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San Francisco 49ers: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#7)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, 49ers

Last week: 6 (-1)

Record: 6-2

Alex Smith was 18 of 19 on Monday Night against the Cardinals, one completion shy of setting the all-time record for completion percentage in a single game. He did set the single game for most pass attempts with only 1 incompletion and that incompletion was actually a drop. The knock on him, however, is that he settled for mostly short stuff, completing just 10 passes longer than 3 yards through the air and actually averaging just 4.9 yards per completion through the air, getting a lot of his yardage after the catch against an Arizona defense that couldn’t tackle. He also looked 4 sacks on his 6 pressured snaps, sacks that even he admits he should have thrown away and taken the incompletion. This kind of stuff might fly against Arizona, but I still don’t trust him to lead them deep into the playoffs.

Studs

QB Alex Smith: 18 of 19 for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns, 1 drop, 130.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 6 of 23 drop backs (4 sacks, 2 of 2)

LT Joe Staley: Did not allow a pressure on 24 pass block snaps, run blocked for 19 yards on 3 attempts

RT Anthony Davis: Did not allow a pressure on 24 pass block snaps, run blocked for 31 yards on 6 attempts

WR Michael Crabtree: Caught 5 passes for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 attempts on 15 pass snaps, 12.4 YAC per catch

CB Tarell Brown: Allowed 2 catches for 22 yards on 10 attempts, 5 pass deflections, 1 solo tackle

CB Chris Culliver: Allowed 3 catches for 21 yards on 9 attempts, 2 pass deflection, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles

MLB Patrick Willis: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 10 blitzes, allowed 2 catches for 4 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection

ROLB Aldon Smith: 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries on 42 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 4 solo tackles, 5 stops

FS Dashon Goldson: Allowed 4 catches for 28 yards on 6 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

P Andy Lee: 5 punts for 244 yards, 2 inside 20, 4 returns for 15 yards, 45.8 net yards per punt

Duds

MLB NaVorro Bowman: 1 missed tackle, 1 stop, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 10 blitzes, allowed 3 catches for 41 yards on 3 attempts

LE Ray McDonald: 1 quarterback hurry on 46 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

RE Justin Smith: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 47 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Steelers

Last week: 15 (+7)

Record: 4-3

After 2 straight wins, the Steelers are back in the AFC playoff picture at 4-3 and that’s despite Troy Polamalu being out. When he’s in the lineup over the last 3 years, they allow about a touchdown less per game when he’s in there so it’s good news that they’ve been playing well without him. Ben Roethlisberger is quietly having an MVP caliber year, completing 66.8% of his passes for an average of 7.4 YPA, 14 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. The bad news is that they face Eli Manning and the Giants this week and not only with Troy Polamalu not return, they’ve also lost Ryan Clark with a concussion. They did a good job against Robert Griffin last week as Dick LeBeau’s schemes confused yet another rookie, as he’s now 14-1 against rookie quarterbacks. However, Eli Manning is far from one.

Studs

RB Jonathan Dwyer: Rushed for 107 yards (73 after contact) on 17 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 8 yards on 1 attempt

QB Ben Roethlisberger: 24 of 33 for 222 yards and 3 touchdowns, 2 hit as thrown, 3 drops, 102.5 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 13 of 35 drop backs (1 scramble, 8 of 12, 2 touchdowns, 2 hit as thrown, 1 drop)

C Maurkice Pouncey: Did not record a pressure on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 32 yards on 9 attempts

RG Ramon Foster: Did not record a pressure on 36 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 1 yard on 2 attempts

RT Mike Adams: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 1 attempt

CB Keenan Lewis: Allowed 2 catches for 23 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 3 pass deflections, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

SS Will Allen: Allowed 1 catch for 31 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 2 quarterback hurries on 4 blitzes, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists

CB Ike Taylor: Allowed 1 catch for 5 yards on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

MLB Larry Foote: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 10 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 3 stops, allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 2 attempts

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: 3 quarterback hurries on 16 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

Duds

LE Ziggy Hood: Did not record a pressure on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist

RE Brett Keisel: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

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Green Bay Packers: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Packers

Last week: 13 (+4)

Record: 5-3

I wasn’t impressed with the Packers’ performance last week and they’re awfully banged up, but I’m moving them back into the playoffs for now. Every year, one team goes from a 1st round bye to out of the playoffs. Right now, I have the Ravens as that team, but the Packers are still a candidate. However, they could easily be 7-1 and even at 5-3, they would still be in the playoffs if the season ended today. The NFC no longer seems as daunting overall after a 1-3 week against the AFC (the Packers’ unimpressive win over the Jaguars was the 1), after starting the year 19-9.

Green Bay Packers

Studs

C Jeff Saturday: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 30 yards on 10 attempts

CB Casey Hayward: Allowed 4 catches for 29 yards on 9 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops

CB Tramon Williams: Allowed 3 catches for 30 yards on 9 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackle, 1 stop

SS Morgan Burnett: Allowed 4 catches for 62 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 7 solo tackle, 1 assist, 6 stop, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes

Duds

RB Alex Green: Rushed for 54 yards (28 after contact) on 22 carries, 1 broken tackle, caught 4 passes for 28 yards on 6 attempts

FS Jerron McMillian: Allowed 5 catches for 80 yards on 6 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

LOLB Erik Walden: Did not record a pressure on 41 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

NT BJ Raji: Did not record a pressure on 36 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Miami Dolphins: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Dolphins

Last week: 12 (+2)

Record: 4-3

If the season ended today, Miami and Indianapolis would be in the playoffs in the crappy AFC. Those two teams square off this week in Indianapolis in a game that could have playoff implications. I have Miami ranked higher right now. They rank 21st in yards per play differential and 19th in rate of sustaining drives, while Indianapolis ranks 27th and 18th respectively. Miami also holds the edge in points differential +24 to -35, but the game is in Indianapolis.

Studs

QB Matt Moore: 11 of 19 for 131 yards and a touchdown, 1 batted pass, 1 throw away, 1 drop, 100.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 4 of 20 drop backs (1 sack, 1 of 3, 1 throw away, 1 touchdown)

LG Richie Incognito: Did not allow a pressure on 27 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 43 yards on 7 attempts, 1 penalty

C Mike Pouncey: Did not allow a pressure on 27 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 28 yards on 4 attempts

RT Jonathan Martin: Did not allow a pressure on 27 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 8 yards on 5 attempts

LT Jake Long: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 27 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 attempts

CB Nolan Carroll: Allowed 6 catches for 49 yards on 10 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 8 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 sack on 2 blitzes

LOLB Kevin Burnett: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 11 blitzes, 1 penalty, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, allowed 4 catches for 42 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection

SS Reshad Jones: Allowed 1 catch for 9 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles

FS Chris Clemons: Was not thrown on, 1 interception, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 quarterback hurry on 6 blitzes

DT Randy Starks: 3 quarterback hurries on 36 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

P Brandon Fields: 6 punts for 320 yards, 4 inside 20, no returns, 46.7 net yards per punt

Duds

RB Reggie Bush: Rushed for 59 yards (18 yards after contact) on 14 carries, 1 broken tackle, 1 missed tackle, caught 1 pass for 6 yards on 1 attempt

RE Jared Odrick: 2 quarterback hurries on 47 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#11)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Colts

Last week: 18 (+7)

Record: 4-3

Every year one team goes from 5 wins or fewer into the playoffs. The Vikings are an obvious candidate this year, but why not the Colts, who sit at 4-3. They would be in the playoffs in the crappy AFC if they started today. Their defense is finally getting healthy after seemingly losing every good defensive player they had for some period of time (though it sounds like Vontae Davis will be out for a while). They also have an awfully easy schedule. After playing Miami in a game that could have playoff implications this week (bet you didn’t see that coming), they go to Jacksonville, New England, host Buffalo, go to Detroit, host Tennessee, go to Houston, go to Kansas City, and host Houston (could be resting starters).

Indianapolis Colts

Studs

RG Mike McGlynn: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts

MLB Jerrell Freeman: 12 solo tackles, 8 stops, allowed 2 catches for 18 yards on 2 attempts

Duds

WR Donnie Avery: Caught 4 passes for 42 yards on 6 attempts on 43 pass snaps, 3.3 YAC per catch, 1 penalty, 1 drop

LT Anthony Castonzo: Allowed 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 7 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 1 attempt

RT Winston Justice: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 6 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps, 1 penalty

CB Jerraud Powers: Allowed 7 catches for 89 yards on 7 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 penalty

ROLB Dwight Freeney: 2 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, no tackles

NT Antonio Johnson: Did not record a pressure on 15 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LOLB Jerry Hughes: 1 sack on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 stop

CB Cassius Vaughn: Allowed 3 catches for 37 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 penalty, 2 kickoff returns for 9 yards

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Minnesota Vikings: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#12)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Vikings

Last week: 10 (-2)

Record: 5-3

A bad game or the beginning of the end for this young impressive team? I’m going to go with the former because it was on Thursday Night and it’s tough to knock a team, especially such a young team, for a bad game on a short week. However, Christian Ponder will need to step it up. In his last 3 games, he’s completed 62 of 104 for 661 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, all less than stellar team performances. The Vikings to Seattle this week, an awfully tough place to play. They’re still in the playoffs in my mind and one of several candidates to be this year’s team that goes from 5 wins or less to the playoffs, along with Indianapolis and Tampa Bay. We might have multiple such teams this year.

Studs

LG Charlie Johnson: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 2 attempts

C John Sullivan: Didn’t allow a pressures on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 29 yards on 5 attempts

WR Percy Harvin: Caught 7 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts on 36 pass snaps, 13.0 YAC per catch

FS Harrison Smith: 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 1 yard and a touchdown on 3 attempts

LE Brian Robison: 1 quarterback hurry on 36 pass rush snaps, 3 batted passes, 1 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 stop

Duds

RG Brandon Fusco: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 32 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts

WR Jerome Simpson: Caught 2 passes for 37 yards on 7 attempts on 34 pass snaps, 1.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop

ROLB Chad Greenway: Allowed 6 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 3 assists, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

DT Kevin Williams: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 missed tackle

LOLB Erin Henderson: 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops, allowed 1 catch for 2 yards on 1 attempt

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