2012 NFL Power Rankings

San Diego Chargers: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

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Last week: 8

Record: 3-2

Once again, the Chargers fell flat in a non-conference game. Norv Turner is now 8-14 ATS against non-conference opponents as Head Coach of the Chargers, 4-9 ATS before a divisional contest. This week is a huge early season test for them as they host the Broncos. I think at the end of the day, Chargers/Broncos is going to be the tightest divisional race, so these Head-to-Head matchups are huge.

Studs

RB Ryan Mathews: Rushed for 80 yards (30 yards after contact) and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 4 broken tackles, caught 6 passes for 59 yards on 8 attempts

LG Tyronne Green: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 51 pass block snaps, rushed for 32 yards on 4 attempts

WR Malcom Floyd: Caught 5 passes for 108 yards on 8 attempts on 50 pass snaps, 6.6 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

Duds

TE Antonio Gates: Caught 3 passes for 19 yards on 6 attempts on 45 pass snaps, 3.7 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

CB Antoine Cason: Allowed 7 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 1 stop

SS Atari Bigby: Allowed 4 catches for 63 yards on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 7 blitzes

MLB Donald Butler: 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 18 yards on 1 attempt

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

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Last week: 9 (+0)

Record: 2-3

From 2006-2010, Peyton Manning was 12-1 ATS as an underdog. This year he is 0-3. Does that mean he’s done or not the same player? Not necessarily. His QB rating is actually 6 points higher than his career average and his completion percentage (66.0%), his YPA (7.7), and his TD/INT ratio (11/3) are all better or equal to his career averages. He’s had a brutal schedule (Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Houston, Oakland, New England) and has still yet to lose by more than 10. He’s got another chance as an underdog this week in San Diego in a pivotal divisional matchup. The Broncos do still rank 4th in the league in yards per play differential

Studs

QB Peyton Manning: 31 of 44 for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns, 2 drops, 2 throw aways, 1 batted pass, 105.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 47 drop backs (2 sacks, 4 of 8, 2 throw aways)

RG Manuel Ramirez: Did not allow a pressure on 48 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 2 attempts

C Dan Koppen: Did not allow a pressure on 48 pass block snaps, run blocked for 43 yards on 9 attempts

WR Demaryius Thomas: Caught 9 passes for 188 yards on 10 attempts on 43 pass snaps, 5.7 YAC per catch, 1 drop

ROLB Von Miller: 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries on 22 pass rush snaps, 6 solo tackles, 7 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

WR Eric Decker: Caught 4 passes for 21 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts on 47 pass snaps, 0.3 YAC per catch

MLB Joe Mays: Allowed 5 catches for 55 yards on 6 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 2 missed tackles, 1 penalty

LE Elvis Dumervil: Did not record a pressure on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 4 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops

RE Derek Wolfe: 1 sack on 34 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

DT Mitch Unrein: 1 quarterback hit on 17 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Steelers

Last week: 11 (+1)

Record: 2-2

The AFC is weak, so the Steelers should be safe and sneak in as a wild card, but the loss of Troy Polamalu hurts. They are obviously hoping it’s just a short term thing. Excluding last week, during which Polamalu left in the middle, the Steelers are now 7-8 since 2009 without him, allowing 21.6 points per game and 27-8, allowing 14.4 points per game, with him. That’s not all him, but a lot of that is him. He’s their only irreplaceable defensive player and his mere presence can disrupt passing plays and running plays. Last week, the Steelers had held the Eagles scoreless on 3 drives before Polamalu went out and ended up giving up 14 points on their next 5 drives. Without him and LaMarr Woodley, the Steelers are at a huge disadvantage this week as they travel on short rest to Tennessee. They are just 3-12 ATS under Mike Tomlin as 3+ road favorites outside of the division.

Studs

RB Rashard Mendenhall: Rushed for 81 yards (50 after contact) and a touchdown on 14 carries, 4 broken tackles, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 20 yards on 2 attempts

C Maurkice Pouncey: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 34 yards on 8 attempts

RG Ramon Foster: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Lawrence Timmons: Allowed 5 catches for 32 yards on 6 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 2 missed tackles, 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 17 blitzes

LOLB Jason Worilds: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 19 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops

P Drew Butler: 4 punts for 185 yards, 1 inside 20, 1 return for 13 yards, 43.0 net yards per punt

ROLB James Harrison: 3 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 22 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

Duds

LG Willie Colon: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, 4 penalties, run blocked for 33 yards on 5 attempts

WR Mike Wallace: Caught 2 passes for 17 yards on 8 attempts on 40 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

MLB Larry Foote: Allowed 3 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

CB Ike Taylor: Allowed 5 catches for 71 yards on 9 attempts, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Minnesota Vikings: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#11)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Vikings

Last week: 12 (+1)

Record: 4-1

Winning when no one expects you to win is one thing. Destroying a team you’re supposed to beat is another and the Vikings passed that test with flying colors last week, unlike the league’s other surprise team, the Cardinals, who failed that test in back to back weeks. The league’s 5th ranked team in yards per play differential, the Vikings are the overwhelming favorites to be this year’s team to goes from 5 wins or fewer to the playoffs, as no other candidate ranks above 22nd that category. At 4-1, they’ve already exceeded last year’s win total. In fact, the Colts, Rams, and Vikings, the three worst teams in the league last year, all have better records than the Packers, who led the league with 15 regular season wins.

Studs

C John Sullivan: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 89 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts

WR Percy Harvin: Caught 8 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts on 30 pass snaps, 10.8 YAC per catch, rushed for 8 yards and a touchdown on 2 carries

CB Antoine Winfield: Allowed 5 catches for 45 yards on 9 attempts, 1 interception, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops

LOLB Chad Greenway: Allowed 5 catches for 29 yards on 8 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 5 solo tackles, 1 assists, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle

FS Jamarca Sanford: Allowed 1 catch for 4 yards on 2 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

RE Jared Allen: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 45 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 1 assist, 1 stop

DT Kevin Williams: 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 32 pass rush snaps, 2 batted passes, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

DT Letroy Guion: Did not record a pressure on 20 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackle, 1 assist, 2 stops

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New York Giants: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#13)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Giants

Last week: 14 (+1)

Record: 3-2

It was between the Cowboys and the Giants for the final playoff spot in the loaded NFC in these Power Rankings. I have Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia winning the divisions, Minnesota making the playoffs as a Wild Card and being this year’s team that goes from 5 wins or fewer to the playoffs. I gave Dallas the edge because they have the Head-to-Head victory and because they have the superior yards per play differential. Also, the Cowboys would serve as the 5th new playoff team and there have been 5 new playoff teams every year for the past 16 years. The Giants have all the talent of a playoff team though and Eli Manning is behind only Matt Ryan and Tom Brady as the league’s MVP through 5 games. He’s holding together an injury plagued bunch and having as good of a year as he did last year.

Studs

RB Ahmad Bradshaw: Rushed for 200 yards (70 after contact) and a touchdown on 30 attempts, 4 broken tackles, 1 fumble, 1 penalty, 4 catches for 29 yards on 5 attempts

QB Eli Manning: 25 of 37 for 259 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 4 dropped passes, 1 hit as thrown, 101.9 adjusted QB rating, 7 drop backs on 37 drop backs (no sacks, 4 of 7, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown)

LG Kevin Boothe: 1 quarterback hit on 41 pass block snaps, run blocked for 21 yards on 2 attempts

FS Stevie Brown: Was not thrown on, 1 interception, 1 solo tackle, 2 assists

TE Martellus Bennett: Run blocked for 92 yards on 5 attempts, caught 3 passes for 30 yards on 4 attempts

Duds

MLB Chase Blackburn: Allowed 3 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts, 1 interception, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop, 3 missed tackles

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Green Bay Packers: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Packers

Last week: 13 (-1)

Record: 2-3

You could argue they deserve to be 4-1, losing on the touchception in Seattle week 3 and then blowing a 21-3 lead in Indianapolis last week as they ran into the ChuckStrong train, but the fact is, this team is 2-3 and in a loaded NFC, that really hurts them. One team every year goes from a 1st round bye to out of the playoffs. Given how San Francisco, New England, and Baltimore are playing, Green Bay is by far the favorite to do so this year. Their even yards per play differential is hardly impressive and they might be a smart team to bet against going forward, especially if the odds makers continue to rate them on par with teams like Houston (they’re -3.5 in Houston this week).

Studs

LG TJ Ward: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 55 yards on 5 attempts

RG Josh Sitton: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 2 attempts

LT Marshall Newhouse: Allowed 1 sack on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts

CB Tramon Williams: Allowed 8 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts, 5 pass deflections, 8 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

CB Casey Hayward: Allowed 1 catch for 12 yards on 3 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 5 blitzes

LOLB Erik Walden: 2 quarterback hits and 3 quarterback hurries on 24 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

MLB AJ Hawk: 6 solo tackles, 2 assists, 5 stops, was not thrown on

Duds

TE Jermichael Finley: Caught 3 passes for 11 yards on 5 attempts on 22 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 penalty

WR Jordy Nelson: Caught 2 catches for 29 yards on 5 attempts on 47 pass snaps, 1.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop

LE Ryan Pickett: Did not record a pressure on 24 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackles, 1 stop

LE Jerel Worthy: 1 quarterback hurry on 46 pass rush snaps, 2 penalties, 1 solo tackles, 1 stop

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Seattle Seahawks: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Seahawks

Last week: 16 (+1)

Record: 3-2

I know the Seahawks lost to the Cardinals and have a worse record, but I’m putting the Seahawks one spot ahead of the Cardinals. That was a close game (and is the difference in these two teams’ records) and it would have had a different result in Seattle. These are similar constructed teams (great defense, one good offensive player), but I was impressed with the Seahawks going on the road to Carolina on the East Coast at 1PM ET and winning. As good as they are at home, road victories are going to be what decides this team’s playoff fate in a loaded NFC.

Studs

CB Richard Sherman: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackle, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

FS Earl Thomas: 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, did not allow a completion on 1 attempt

MLB Bobby Wagner: 5 solo tackles, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 2 sacks on 7 blitzes, was not thrown on

RE Chris Clemons: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 stops

Duds

LG James Carpenter: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

LE Red Bryant: Did not record a pressure on 19 pass rush snaps, no tackles

ROLB KJ Wright: 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, allowed 4 catches for 47 yards on 5 attempts, 1 quarterback hurry on 7 blitzes

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Arizona Cardinals: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Cardinals

Last week: 15 (-1)

Record: 4-1

Last week, I called the Arizona Cardinals one of the worst 4-0 teams ever. With Kevin Kolb as their quarterback, no offensive line, and no running game, last week’s offensive catastrophe was inevitable and I don’t think it’s the last one. There’s a reason I frequently ranked them lower than their record and picked against them. For as good as their defense is, their offense is equally bad. They actually rank just 28th in the league in yards per play differential, thanks to a last place ranking in yards per play. They’ll still be in the playoff race with a nice head start, but expect this team to finish somewhere around .500 once again this year. Continue to ride the correction as a bettor.

Studs

FS Kerry Rhodes: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

MLB Daryl Washington: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 11 blitzes

LOLB O’Brien Schofield: 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 18 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

Duds

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 3 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries on 63 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for -4 yards on 1 attempt

RG Adam Snyder: Allowed 3 sacks and 2 quarterback hurries on 63 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

RT Bobby Massie: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 8 quarterback hurries on 63 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 13 yards on 3 attempts

WR Andre Roberts: Caught 5 passes for 39 yards on 9 attempts on 62 pass snaps, 3.8 YAC per catch

WR Early Doucet: Caught 3 passes for 29 yards on 7 attempts on 50 pass snaps, 3.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

MLB Paris Lenon: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Colts

Last week: 21 (+4)

Record: 2-2

What an amazing win for the Colts. Down 21-3 at home against the normally dominant Packers, the Colts roared back to win led by 13 catches for a career high 212 yards and a touchdown from Reggie Wayne. Earlier in the week, Wayne visited Head Coach Chuck Pagano in the hospital, where the 52-year-old 1st time Head Coach is undergoing treatment for leukemia. Pagano is not just Wayne’s Head Coach, but someone who he’s known for a long time as Pagano recruited Wayne to the University of Miami out of High School (now Wayne’s surprising decision to return to Indianapolis, rather than follow Peyton Manning doesn’t seem so surprising). It’ll be very interesting to see if the ChuckStrong momentum can continue into the future. I hope it does. At the very least, it should continue one more week as they face the lowly Jets this week.

Studs

WR Reggie Wayne: Caught 13 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts on 64 pass snaps, 2.7 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

CB Cassius Vaughn: Allowed 3 catches for 18 yards on 6 attempts, 2 penalties, 4 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

LT Anthony Castonzo: Allowed 3 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 67 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 11 yards on 3 attempts

RT Winston Justice: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 67 pass block snaps, 3 penalties, run blocked for 5 yards on 4 attempts

WR Donnie Avery: Caught 3 passes for 22 yards on 8 attempts on 65 pass snaps, 1.7 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 penalty

WR TY Hilton: Caught 3 passes for 37 yards on 9 attempts on 54 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 penalty

CB Jerraud Powers: Allowed 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 attempts, 1 interception, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

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