2012 NFL Power Rankings

Miami Dolphins: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

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Last week: 18 (+7)

Record: 2-3

The Dolphins are 2-3 right now, but they could easily be 3-2 or 4-1 having lost two straight games in overtime. Since their week 1 blowout loss in Houston, which doesn’t look so bad, they’ve blown out Oakland, lost twice in overtime to the Jets and Dolphins, and beaten the Dolphins. The league’s 6th ranked scoring defense in 2011, they’ve picked up right where they left off led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Cameron Wake. They can run the ball and Ryan Tannehill seems to have settled in to life as a starting quarterback in the NFL. His inconsistency as a rookie will keep this team from being a true playoff contender, but like I said last week (and like they did last week), they could play spoiler against any “superior” teams that take them lightly.

Miami

Studs

C Mike Pouncey: Did not allow a pressure on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for 20 yards on 5 attempts

LG Richie Incognito: Did not allow a pressure on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for -1 yards on 1 attempt

LE Cameron Wake: 2 sacks and 6 quarterback hurries on 44 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

DT Randy Starks: 1 interception, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 40 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

MLB Karlos Dansby: 5 solo tackles, 4 stops, 2 quarterback hurries on 8 pass rush snaps, allowed 3 catches for 29 yards on 3 attempts

CB Nolan Carroll: Allowed 2 catches for 23 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

SS Reshad Jones: Allowed 1 catch for 5 yards on 3 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

Duds

FB Jovorskie Lane: Rushed for -5 yards (0 after contact) on 2 attempts, 1 fumble, 2 catches for 20 yards on 2 attempts, 1 penalty, run blocked for 0 yards on 2 attempts

RE Jared Odrick: 1 sack on 44 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle

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St. Louis Rams: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

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

Last week: 22 (+3)

Record: 3-2

The Rams may have won the battle, but lost the war against Arizona last Thursday, losing Danny Amendola for an extended period of time. It’s no surprise that their offense went in the tank without him last week. It’s exactly what they did last season. Sam Bradford has no weapons to work with and injuries have plagued his offensive line once again. Bradford may be matured and improved, but overall, the offense looks eerily similar to the one that ranked dead last in the league with 12.1 points per game last year. They might be a little overrated after their breakout win over an overrated opponent. The good news, they are just one game out of the division for now and over .500 for the first time since 2006.

Studs

RB Steven Jackson: Rushed for 76 yards (53 after contact) on 18 attempts, 1 broken tackle

LOLB JoLonn Dunbar: Allowed 4 catches for 50 yards on 7 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 14 blitzes

FS Craig Dahl: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

MLB James Laurinaitis: Allowed 1 catch for 13 yards on 4 attempts, 8 solo tackles, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 8 blitzes

RE Robert Quinn: 3 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 6 quarterback hurries on 53 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops

LE Chris Long: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 7 quarterback hurries on 53 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

P Johnny Hekker: 7 punts for 398 yards, 3 inside 20, 5 returns for 76 yards, 46.0 net yards per punt

K Greg Zuerlein: 4 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 20.0 opponent’s average starting distance, 1/1 FG (53)

Duds

RT Barry Richardson: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 25 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 19 yards on 5 attempts

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Buffalo Bills: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

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

Last week: 16 (-4)

Record: 2-3

Remember when the Bills looked like they were going to beat the Patriots and take control of the AFC East. That was fun. Since leading that game 21-7, they have been outscored 90-10 by the Patriots and 49ers. That’s pretty pathetic for anyone, especially for a team that was a popular sleeper coming into the year after all of the resources they put into their defense. That expensive defense ranks among the worst in the league in every category and has given up at least 45 points in 3 of 5 games led by the incredibly disappointing Mario Williams. It’s no surprise why Houston did make much of an effort to re-sign him

The only reason they’re ranked this high is because of their schedule. They face the 3 one dimensional NFC West teams, Arizona, Seattle, and St. Louis, the 2 horrible and the one slightly less horrible AFC South teams, Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, and they have 3 divisional games against the Jets and Dolphins. Only two games, New England and Houston, appear unwinnable the rest of the way, even for a team like Buffalo. Unfortunately, all that easy schedule is likely to do is hurt their draft pick and lessen the chances that some coaches get a much needed firing.

Studs

LG Andy Levitre: Did not allow a pressure on 28 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 3 attempts

Duds

C Eric Wood: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 28 pass block snaps, run blocked for 19 yards on 5 attempts

CB Aaron Williams: Allowed 4 catches for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns on 4 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

DT Marcell Dareus: Did not record a pressure on 24 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles

DT Kyle Williams: 1 quarterback hurry on 23 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles

MLB Kelvin Sheppard: Allowed 1 completion for 4 yards on 2 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 5 blitzes

RE Mark Anderson: Did not record a pressure on 19 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

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

Last week: 18 (-3)

Record: 3-2

Last week I noted that, assuming Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Washington don’t make the playoffs and Baltimore does, the Bengals were 12-0 against non-playoff teams since Andy Dalton took over week 1 last year, and 0-10 against playoff teams. Well, unless Miami is a playoff team, that spotless record seems to be gone. I had the Bengals as an overrated team coming into the season because of their struggles against good teams and now they appear to be overrated once again. Look at who they’ve beaten, Washington (2-3), Cleveland (0-5), and Jacksonville (1-4). The latter two are the two worst teams in these Power Rankings and they only beat Cleveland in Cincinnati by 7.

They’re now a dark horse team in the running to be the team that goes from out of the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, which is where I had them before the season. After a game in Cleveland this week, potentially a trap game, the Bengals face Pittsburgh, Denver, the Giants, San Diego, Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore, all of whom could easily make the playoffs. After Cleveland, their only remaining easy opponents are Oakland and Kansas City.

Studs

LT Andrew Whitworth: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 52 pass block snaps

RE Carlos Dunlap: 2 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 19 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops

SS Reggie Nelson: Allowed 2 catches for 8 yards on 2 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

QB Andy Dalton: 26 of 43 for 234 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, 1 drop, 1 batted pass, 66.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 14 of 49 drop backs, (3 scrambles, 3 sacks, 4 of 8)

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Rushed for 14 yards (8 yards after contact) on 9 attempts, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 2 pass block snaps, caught 1 pass for 2 yards on 2 attempts

WR Andrew Hawkins: Caught 5 passes for 47 yards on 12 attempts on 40 pass snaps, 3.4 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 2 interceptions when thrown to

ROLB Manny Lawson: Allowed 4 catches for 63 yards on 6 attempts, 1 solo tackle

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Washington Redskins: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

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Last week: 24 (+2)

Record: 2-3

Robert Griffin will learn when to get out of bounds eventually. Aaron Rodgers had this same issue when he first became a starter, with a similar frame. Once he got hurt once or twice, he figured out how to pick his spots. He’s a much better thrower than Cam Newton or Michael Vick, so he doesn’t need to run as much as those guys do. Newton is built like a truck and Vick is often hurt.

It’s a shame he had to get hurt though. If it wasn’t for his injury and Billy Cundiff’s missed field goal, they could have easily pulled the home upset over the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. The good news for Redskins fans, Cundiff has been cut and replaced by…someone not Billy Cundiff. Seriously, how did that guy get a 5-year deal after the 2011 season. This is why you never give kickers deals longer than a year.

Studs

RB Alfred Morris: Rushed for 115 yards (70 after contact) on 18 attempts, 1 broken tackle, 1 catch for 20 yards on 1 attempt

Duds

WR Pierre Garcon: Caught 3 passes for 24 yards on 6 attempts on 27 pass snaps, 2.3 YAC per catch, 2 drops

RT Tyler Polumbus: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 28 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 2 attempts

WR Josh Morgan: Caught 1 pass for 4 yards on 1 attempt on 26 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch

MLB London Fletcher: Allowed 7 catches for 88 yards on 9 attempts, 11 solo tackles, 2 assists, 4 stops, 3 missed tackles, 1 penalty

CB Josh Wilson: Allowed 9 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 3 missed tackles

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New Orleans Saints: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

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

Last week: 26 (+2)

Record: 1-4

It was great for Drew Brees to get the win and break Johnny Unitas’ record at home on Sunday Night against his old team with Head Coach Sean Payton watching. This team is off the snide and out of the 1 win teams in the NFL, I’d give them one of the better chances to turn things around. Still, only one team has ever started 0-4 and made the playoffs in NFL history and the Saints need to start reeling off the victories to play catch up in a loaded NFC. I don’t think they have the defense for that. They’re still the favorites to be this year’s team that goes from in the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, right ahead of Detroit and Cincinnati, my preseason pick to do so whose case was “strengthened” this past week by a home loss to the Dolphins.

Studs

QB Drew Brees: 29 of 45 for 370 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception, 3 drops, 2 batted passes, 96.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 14 of 48 drop backs (3 sacks, 6 of 11, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception)

RG Jahri Evans: Did not allow a pressure on 49 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 26 yards on 6 attempts

LT Jermon Bushrod: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

WR Marques Colston: Caught 9 passes for 131 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 attempts on 46 pass snaps, 2.7 YAC per catch, 1 drop

WR Devery Henderson: Caught 8 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts on 43 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

P Thomas Morestead: 3 punts for 157 yards, 2 inside 20, 2 returns for 16 yards, 47.0 yards per punt, 7 kickoffs, 1 touchback, 68.1 yards per punt, 20.3 opponent’s average starting distance

Duds

LG Ben Grubbs: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries and 1 quarterback hit on 49 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 8 yards on 3 attempts

TE Jimmy Graham: Caught 1 pass for 4 yards on 2 attempts on 29 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Corey White: Allowed 5 catches for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes

MLB Curtis Lofton: Allowed 7 catches for 66 yards on 8 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 4 stops, 2 missed tackle, 1 sack on 4 blitzes

FS Malcolm Jenkins: Allowed 1 catch for 24 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 4 missed tackles, 1 penalty

LE Cameron Jordan: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 51 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

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Carolina Panthers: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

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

Last week: 19 (-6)

Record: 1-4

Cam Newton’s career record: 7-14. Have we overrated him? Well, that seems to be the common theme this week. However, it’s more likely he’s just having a sophomore slump. These are just the growing pains you would expect from such a young quarterback. He should be fine long term. Remember, he’s led this team to 23.7 points per game in his 21 starts. It’s not his fault the defense is allowing 26.4 per. He came into a team with little to no hope and has made them relevant again. This team is a long ways away from being a competitor, but let’s not hop on the overreaction bus with Cam Newton.

Studs

C Ryan Kalil: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 1 attempt

RT Byron Bell: Did not allow a pressure on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Luke Kuechly: Allowed 2 catches for 28 yards on 2 attempts, 1 interception, 6 solo tackle, 6 assists, 3 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 4 blitzes

Duds

QB Cam Newton: 12 of 29 for 141 yards, 3 drops, 1 hit as thrown, 2 batted passes, 65.2 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 12 of 35 drop backs (4 sacks, 1 scramble, 1 of 7, 1 hit as thrown)

RB DeAngelo Williams: Rushed for 6 yards (6 after contact) on 6 attempts, 1 fumble, no catches on 1 attempt

RG Garry Williams: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 15 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards on 4 attempts

WR Steve Smith: Caught 4 passes for 40 yards on 11 attempts on 35 pass snaps, 2.5 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 1 penalty

DT Ron Edwards: Did not record a pressure on 14 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles

DT Dwan Edwards: 1 quarterback hurry on 21 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

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Tennessee Titans: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#26)

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

Last week: 20 (-6)

Record: 1-4

This is not the start the Titans envisioned as a young team coming off a 9-7 season. They stand at 1-4 with the league’s worst points differential. However, they’ve played an awfully tough schedule, which is why they aren’t farther down on this list. Their 4 losses have come against New England, San Diego, Houston and even the Vikings, who they played last week, were much better than projected before the season. Things don’t get easier with the Steelers coming to town this Thursday Night, but, for a variety of reasons, I think the Titans have a very good shot to win this week.

Studs

C Fernando Velasco: Did not allow a pressure on 53 pass block snaps, run blocked for 24 yards on 7 attempts

DT Mike Martin: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 17 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 5 stops

LOLB Zach Brown: 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 3 stops, allowed 2 catches for 12 yards on 2 attempts

Duds

OT Michael Roos: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 4 quarterback hurries on 53 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for -2 yards on 1 attempt

RT David Stewart: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 53 pass block snaps, 2 penalties

LG Steve Hutchinson: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 53 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

RB Chris Johnson: Rushed for 24 yards (19 after contact) on 15 carries, 1 fumble, 2 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 5 yards on 1 attempt

WR Damian Williams: Caught 1 pass for 9 yards on 3 attempts on 38 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

WR Kenny Britt: Caught 2 passes for 23 yards on 5 attempts on 23 pass snaps, 5.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

FS Michael Griffin: Allowed 1 catch for 19 yards on 1 attempt, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 4 missed tackles

LE Derrick Morgan: 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackles, 1 stop

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Kansas City Chiefs: Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#27)

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

Last week: 27 (+0)

Record: 1-4

I don’t know what’s a bigger indictment of Matt Cassel: that after a game he ran 51 times to 17 passes, Romeo Crennel said he regrets “not running more,” or that when Matt Cassel went down with a concussion the fans cheered because that meant Brady Quinn would be coming in the game. Brady Quinn. No one has ever cheered Brady Quinn. This reminds me of 2010 when the 49ers fans cheered for Mike Singletary to bench Alex Smith for David Carr. Singletary eventually did that. Then he benched David Carr for Troy Smith and then he benched Troy Smith for David Carr and David Carr for Alex Smith and Alex Smith for Troy Smith and Troy Smith for Alex Smith. Actually, that sounds like something Romeo Crennel would do. How the hell did this guy get another Head Coaching job?

Studs

FS Abram Elam: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles

ROLB Tamba Hali: 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries on 27 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

LOLB Justin Houston: 2 sacks and 6 quarterback hurries on 20 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

P Dustin Colquitt: 5 punts for 236 yards, 3 inside 20, 1 return for 10 yards, 45.2 net yards per punt

Duds

RT Eric Winston: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 22 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 3 attempts

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