Seattle Seahawks: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

Last week: 14 (-0)

Record: 4-4

No the sky is not falling with this team. They just went on the road for 2 games. Everything will be fine this week when the play the Vikings back in Seattle, where they play 5 of their final 8 games. They’ll still be right in the NFC playoff mix, but they will have to win 1 more road game. 9 wins probably won’t cut it in the NFC and that’s assuming they win out at home. Their last 3 road games are in Miami, Chicago, and Buffalo.

Studs

LT Russell Okung: Did not allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 2 attempts

LG James Carpenter: Did not allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempts

QB Russell Wilson: 25 of 35 for 246 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 3 drops, 1 throw away, pressured on 6 of 36 drop backs (4 of 6, 1 throw away)

Duds

CB Brandon Browner: Allowed 5 catches for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 attempts, 2 penalties, 3 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

RE Chris Clemons: 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 48 pass rush snaps, 1 missed tackle

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San Diego Chargers: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

Last week: 8 (-7)

Record: 3-4

I’m not sure this is the same Philip Rivers anymore. I thought his high turnover rate from 2011 was an outlier and that he’d bounce back, especially since he played so much better in the 2nd half of last season (14 interceptions in games 1-8 and 6 in games 9-16). After all, Eli Manning threw 25 picks in 2010 and he didn’t have such a bad 2011.

However, Rivers’ struggles seem to have carried over into this season. Not only has his turnover rate remained the same, but his YPA of 6.8 YPA is a career low and down over a whole yard per play from his “disappointing 2011.” He doesn’t look like the same player as he was from 2006-2010. Some of the blame falls on his supporting cast. The Chargers have 10 draft picks in the first 3 rounds in the last 3 years and only 2 of them have been used on offensive players, including one, Vincent Brown, who is currently out with an injury (the other is Ryan Mathews). At the same time, no late round picks from those 3 drafts have stepped up and become starters offensively.

Meanwhile, they’ve let key offensive players like Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles walk out the door without replacing them and key cogs in this offense from Rivers’ heyday like Marcus McNeill, Kris Dielman, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Antonio Gates are either retired or not playing at nearly the same level, without being properly replaced. Some of the blame can fall on Rivers himself, however. In his age 31 season, he doesn’t seem to be the same player, for whatever reason. However, the Chargers always finish strong and in the weak AFC, you can’t count them out.

Studs

LG Tyronne Green: Did not allow a pressure on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 3 attempts

RT Jeromey Clary: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 20 yards on 5 attempts

RB Ronnie Brown: Caught 7 catches for 85 yards on 8 attempts, rushed for 17 yards (7 after contact) on 4 carries

FS Eric Weddle: Did not allow a completion on 1 attempt, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

MLB Donald Butler: 7 solo tackles, 2 assist, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hit on 6 blitzes, was not thrown on

P Mike Scifres: 6 punts for 279 yards, 4 inside 20, 2 returns for 7 yards, 45.3 net yards per punt

Duds

LT Jared Gaither: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 35 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 12 yards on 5 attempts

WR Robert Meachem: Did not catch a pass on 3 attempts on 34 pass snaps, 2 drops

TE Antonio Gates: Caught 2 passes for 14 yards on 4 attempts on 35 pass snaps, 0.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop

SS Atari Bigby: Allowed 2 catches for 23 yards on 4 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 4 missed tackle

CB Antoine Cason: Allowed 5 catches for 45 yards on 7 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

LE Vaughn Martin: Did not record a pressure on 23 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 1 penalty

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Philadelphia Eagles: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

Last week: 11 (-5)

Record: 3-4

A lot of people are saying that Andy Reid should stick with Michael Vick because he gives him the best chance of making the playoffs and that’s the only way to keep his job. Even if it’s true that Vick is their best short term option (I’m not so sure), I still disagree with that. Andy Reid’s thing is quarterbacks. He’s always made quarterbacks look better than they are, whether it be Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, AJ Feeley, even Vick up until this year (I still argue he’d be worse off anywhere else). If Foles takes over and shows some promise down the stretch, even if they don’t make the playoffs, they’re going to want to keep Reid around to develop him.

Still, I don’t think the Eagles are out of it. They’ve always been a better 2nd half team under Andy Reid. Since he took over in 1999, the Eagles are 28-26 before the bye and 82-40 after. Just because he lost for the first time off a bye last week against an undefeated Falcons team, doesn’t mean that’s going to change. And if they do end up firing Reid, I can understand it. I’ve always said what he does with quarterbacks outweighs all the negatives, but eventually, change needs to happen and maybe change would be best for both sides. If Reid is let go and decides he wants to continue coaching, he’ll probably be snatched up quickly.

Studs

LT King Dunlap: Did not allow a pressure on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for -3 yards on 1 attempt

C Dallas Reynolds: Did not allow a pressure on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 32 yards on 8 attempts

MLB DeMeco Ryans: 8 solo tackles, 2 assists, 6 stops, allowed 6 catches for 27 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts

LE Brandon Graham: 2 quarterback hurry on 18 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

Duds

WR Jeremy Maclin: Caught 6 passes for 33 yards on 11 attempts on 44 pass snaps, 3.5 YAC per catch, 2 drops

TE Brent Celek: Caught 3 passes for 32 yards on 5 attempts on 33 pass snaps, 5.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 5 pass block snaps

CB Nnamdi Asomugha: Allowed 5 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

ROLB Mychal Kendricks: 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 stop, 3 penalties, allowed 1 catch for 11 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection

LE Jason Babin: Did not record a pressure on 18 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, no tackles

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Dallas Cowboys: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

Last week: 16 (-1)

Record: 3-4

The good news for the Cowboys is that they rank 8th in yards per play differential and 7th in rate of sustaining drives differential. The biggest issue, by far, has been turnover differential so far for them, as they have a turnover differential of -11, 2nd worst in the NFL. The good news is that turnover differentials are incredibly inconsistent, as seen here. Tony Romo, specifically, has an interception rate of 4.6%. Despite his reputation as a turnover machine, his interception rate was only 2.8% coming into the season. In fact, 13 is the most he’s had in a season since 2008, and it’s been 7 games. That will regress to the mean going forward. I’m actually impressed they were able to keep it so close with the Giants despite losing the turnover battle by 4. Don’t count them out yet.

Studs

RG Mackenzy Bernadeau: 1 quarterback hurry on 69 pass block snaps, run blocked for -3 yards on 3 attempts

TE Jason Witten: Caught 18 passes for 167 yards on 23 attempts on 63 pass snaps, 2.6 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

WR Miles Austin: Caught 9 passes for 133 yards on 16 attempts on 66 pass snaps, 5.1 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

CB Morris Claiborne: Allowed 3 catches for 15 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackle, 1 assist, 2 stops

NT Jay Ratliff: 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 27 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle

RE Jason Hatcher: 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurry on 22 pass rush snaps, 5 assists

Duds

QB Tony Romo: 36 of 62 for 437 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions, 1 throw away, 1 spike, 1 drop, 69.5 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 21 of 62 drop backs (4 sacks, 6 of 17, 2 interceptions, 1 throw away)

RB Felix Jones: Rushed for 19 yards (22 after contact) and a touchdown on 13 carries, 1 fumble, did not catch a pass on 3 attempts, 1 interception when thrown to

LG Nate Livings: Allowed 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits on 69 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 3 attempts

C Ryan Cook: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 69 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 7 yards on 4 attempts

RT Doug Free: Allowed 6 quarterback hurries on 69 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for -1 yard on 2 attempts

WR Kevin Ogletree: Didn’t catch a pass on 2 attempts on 45 pass snaps

FS Gerald Sensabaugh: 1 solo tackle, 2 missed tackles, allowed 2 catches for 28 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection

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Washington Redskins: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

Last week: 18 (-1)

Record: 3-5

Robert Griffin had the worst game of his career, going 16 of 34 for 177 yards and a touchdown, last week against the Steelers, but you can’t really blame him. For one, he endured 7 drops. Two, Steelers’ defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is a ridiculous 14-1 as Steelers’ defensive coordinator against rookies. Even with a banged up defensive squad, he was able to scheme against Griffin and hold him in check. Griffin should bounce back next week, but that 15 point loss was by far their biggest of the season and it just proves how dependant they are on Griffin, still a rookie quarterback, especially with all of their injuries.

Studs

LG Kory Lichtensteiger: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 26 yards on 4 attempts, 1 penalty

RG Chris Chester: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 3 attempts

RT Tyler Polumbus: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 37 pass block snaps

LOLB Ryan Kerrigan: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops

Duds

WR Leonard Hankerson: Caught 1 pass for 16 yards on 4 attempts on 29 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

WR Santana Moss: Caught 4 passes for 21 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts on 23 pass snaps, 0.5 YAC per catch, 3 drops

RB Evan Royster: Allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 3 pass block snaps, did not catch a pass on 1 attempt, 1 drop

CB DeAngelo Hall: Allowed 5 catches for 73 yards on 7 attempts, 2 penalties, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

MLB London Fletcher: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 3 missed tackles, allowed 3 catches for 4 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts

NT Barry Cofield: Did not record a pressure on 27 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

LE Jarvis Jenkins: Did not record a pressure on 20 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

Last week: 19 (+6)

Record: 3-4

A preseason underrated team of mine, the Buccaneers are now 3-4 with a +31 points differential and they have yet to lose by more than a touchdown all year. Josh Freeman is 82 of 143 (57.3%) for 1309 yards (9.2 YPA), 10 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions in his last 4 games. He’s a natural deep ball throw who had been afraid to throw deep last season, throwing longer than 20 yards through the air on just 6.5% of his throws, by far least in the league, despite being accurate of 52.8% of them, 3rd best in the NFL. This year, thanks to new found chemistry with free agent acquisition Vincent Jackson, he is going deep 6th most in the league, 13.5% and, more importantly, has the 3rd highest accuracy percentage, 56.7%, completing 16 of 30 for 669 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 1 drop. I believe this is here to stay. They’re a sleeper team.

Studs

RB Doug Martin: Rushed for 135 yards (97 after contact) and a touchdown on 29 carries, 5 broken tackles, caught 3 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 2 drops, 1 penalty

RT Demar Dotson: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

CB Leonard Johnson: Allowed 4 catches for 49 yards on 7 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

FS Ronde Barber: 9 solo tackles, 2 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle, 3 quarterback hurries on 6 blitzes, did not allow a completion on 1 attempt

LE Michael Bennett: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 39 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

P Michael Koenen: 8 kickoffs, 7 touchbacks, 74.5 yards per kickoff, 22.0 opponents average starting distance, 6 punts for 281 yards, 1 inside 20, 3 returns for 31 yards, 41.7 net yards per punt

Duds

LT Donald Penn: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries on 39 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 11 yards on 5 attempts

CB EJ Biggers: Allowed 7 catches for 125 yards on 10 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackle

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Detroit Lions: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

Last week: 26 (+6)

Nate Burleson getting hurt might have been the best thing that could happen to this offense. It forced the Lions to replace the mediocre Burleson, who was averaging 8.9 yards per catch and (5.6 yards per target), with explosive 2011 2nd round pick Titus Young and it’s also given 2nd round rookie Ryan Broyles more playing time too. It’s no coincidence that their offense looked by far the best it has all season, and against a tough Seattle defense nonetheless, in their first game without Burleson, even with Calvin Johnson playing at less than 100%.

They already rank 8th in yards per play differential and 16th in rate of sustaining drives differential. If they can get Matt Stafford going, they’re not going to be fun to play. I don’t like their playoff chances at 3-4, but the NFC isn’t looking as loaded as it once did after going 1-3 against the AFC last week after starting 19-9 (the only win was Packers over Jaguars in a game that was closer than it should have been). They’re not out of it quite yet.

Studs

C Dominic Raiola: Allowed 1 pressure on 53 pass block snaps, run blocked for 31 yards on 5 attempts

LG Rob Sims: Did not allow a pressure on 53 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

WR Titus Young: Caught 9 passes for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 attempts on 52 pass snaps, 4.0 YAC per catch

Duds

WR Calvin Johnson: Caught 3 catches for 46 yards on 7 attempts on 51 pass snaps, 7.0 YAC per catch, 2 drops

ROLB Justin Durant: Allowed 8 catches for 121 yards on 11 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 2 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

RE Kyle Vanden Bosch: Did not record a pressure on 23 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

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St. Louis Rams: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

Last week: 21 (-1)

Record: 3-5

I have a lot to write about the Patriots in their section, so I’m going to use this section to talk about the NFL in London. I just don’t think it’s a very good idea. It’s fine having one or two games per year there, but every time we have one, there’s talk about moving a team there and it would make no sense geographically. It’s just too rigorous for the players to travel all the way there and play jet lagged and vice versa for the London team to travel back to the states to play any road games. Plus, with this new stupid Thursday Night schedule, if we had a team in London that teams we’d have, at least once per year, a jet lagged team playing on short rest. Roger Goodell might not see a problem with that, but I do.

Studs

QB Sam Bradford: 22 of 30 for 205 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 2 drops, pressured on 12 of 33 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 9, 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown)

RG Harvey Dahl: Did not allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

Duds

SS Quentin Mikell: Allowed 5 catches for 83 yards on 6 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

MLB James Laurinaitis: 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 11 blitzes, allowed 1 catch for 25 yards on 2 attempts

DT Michael Brockers: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

LE Chris Long: 1 quarterback hurry on 37 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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New Orleans Saints: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

Last week: 19 (-3)

Record: 2-5

I guess beating the Broncos is a lot harder than beating the Chargers and Buccaneers for a still overrated Saints team (heavy public action on New Orleans +6 last week). The rank 31st in the league in yards per play differential and 27th in rate of sustaining drives differential, mostly because of a defense that allows the most yards per play in the league and the 2nd highest rate of sustaining drives in the league. This week, they host Philadelphia in a game that’s going to tell us a lot about both teams as they are both at a crossroads in their respective seasons.

Studs

LT Jermon Bushrod: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 45 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 8 yards in 4 attempts

LG Jahri Evans: Didn’t allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps

C Brian La Puente: Didn’t allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 15 yards on 3 attempts

P Thomas Morestead: 8 punts for 413 yards, 4 inside 20, 4 returns for 43 yards, 46.3 net yards per punt, 2 kickoffs, 1 touchback, 72.5 yards per kickoff, 13.5 opponent’s average starting distance

Duds

WR Devery Henderson: Did not catch a pass on 3 attempts on 38 pass snaps, 1 drop

WR Lance Moore: Caught 3 passes for 25 yards on 6 attempts on 32 pass snaps, 1.3 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Patrick Robinson: Allowed 5 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 penalty, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

FS Malcolm Jenkins: 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles, 1 penalty, allowed 4 catches for 49 yards on 4 attempts

RE Will Smith: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Arizona Cardinals: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

Last week: 23 (-2)

Record: 4-4

I wish Dennis Green was still the Cardinals’ coach. Then he could shout “we are who they thought we were!” I never believed in them. They’ve never been ranked higher than 15th in these Power Rankings, even when they were 4-0. This is what I said about the Cardinals after their 3-0 start. “Almost every year, there’s a team that gets off to a good start and then fades away and misses the playoffs and makes their believers look dumb (“This Ryan Fitzpatrick is the real deal.” “Rex Grossman is a legitimate franchise quarterback.”).

Winning 3 in a row at any point in a season isn’t that impressive, but when teams do it to start the season, it’s much more noticeable and you get idiots like Michael Silver putting them first in his Power Rankings (Really? Kevin Kolb is going to win the Super Bowl?). This is essentially the same team that finished last year 8-8 and I expect them to finish somewhere around there this year. Bettors should ride the correction.” They haven’t covered since and have lost 4 straight.

Now with Kolb out, John Skelton is actually a downgrade, believe it or not, despite their records last season. Skelton was 6-2 in the 8 games he played the majority of the snaps, while Kolb was 2-6, but Skelton had the luxury of playing most of his games supported by better defensive play. In Skelton’s 8 games, the Cardinals allowed 19.0 points per game and in Kolb’s they allowed 24.5. Skelton was actually the inferior of the two quarterbacks last season. He led 100 drives last season and the Cardinals scored 16 touchdowns and 11 field goals (129 points, 1.29 points per drive) on those 100 drives. Kolb led 91 drives, leading to 20 touchdowns and 6 field goals (138 points, 1.52 points per drive).

Kolb also outplayed him statistically. He completed 146 of 253 (57.7%) for 1955 yards (7.7 YPA), 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Skelton completed just 151 for 275 (54.9%) for 1913 yards (7.0 YPA), 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. This year, Skelton is completing 57.9% of his passes for 5.9 YPA, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions, while Kolb is completing 59.6% of his passes for an average of 6.4 YPA, 8 touchdowns, 3 interceptions. Until Kolb returns, this team is really going to struggle. Meanwhile, the offensive line is one of the worst I’ve ever seen and it might be the worst ever. They’re on pace to allow 89 sacks, which would shatter the NFL record of 76 set by the Texans in 2002.

Studs

C Lyle Sendlein: Did not allow a pressure on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Daryl Washington: 2 sacks on 7 blitzes, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, was not thrown on

RE Calais Campbell: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 24 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 6 stops

Duds

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling: Rushed for 6 yards (9 after contact) on 8 carries, caught 3 passes for 32 yards on 4 attempts, allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 11 pass block snaps

LG Daryn Colledge: Allowed 1 quarterback hits and 3 quarterback hurries on 60 pass block snaps, 1 penalty

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 60 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt

WR Larry Fitzgerald: Caught 5 passes for 52 yards on 11 attempts on 59 pass snaps, 4.6 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to, 1 penalty

CB William Gay: Allowed 4 catches for 57 yards on 4 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 penalty

CB Patrick Peterson: Allowed 5 catches for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

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