2012 NFL Power Rankings

Buffalo Bills: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

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Last week: 15 (-1)

Record: 2-2

The Bills have now allowed 100 points in two divisional matchups. Yikes! The defense isn’t the problem, however. The 48 they allowed to the Jets was largely due to their offense giving the Jets the ball with good field position and then the defense quitting down big late, while the 52 they allowed last week was simply running into the wrong team at the wrong time. The Bills played well in the first half, but very few teams would have been able to stop the Patriots in the 2nd half.

The issue is injuries on the offensive line. This has been the league’s best offensive line in terms of pass blocking efficiency this season, as it was last season before injuries struck. However, now they will be without two starters, Cordy Glenn and Kraig Urbik, for an extended period of time. Fitzpatrick really struggled when his offensive line play declined last season and he’s always been a quarterback who struggles under pressure. The Bills better hope those injuries aren’t too long term.

Studs

C Eric Wood: Did not allow a pressure on 44 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 37 yards on 8 attempts

CB Stephon Gilmore: Allowed 4 catches for 43 yards on 7 attempts, 4 pass deflections, 8 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

FS Jairus Byrd: 3 solo tackles, 6 assist, 1 missed tackle, was not thrown on

DT Kyle Williams: 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: 22 of 39 for 350 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, 3 drops, 68.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 6 of 44 drop backs (3 sacks, 1 of 3, 1 interception)

RT Erik Pears: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry, 3 penalties, run blocked for 14 yards on 3 attempts

WR Steve Johnson: 2 catches for 23 yards on 10 attempts on 44 pass snaps, 3.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 3 interceptions when thrown to

CB Justin Rogers: Allowed 8 catches for 125 yards on 8 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

LOLB Nick Barnett: Allowed 6 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 10 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

LE Mario Williams: 3 quarterback hurries on 36 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Seattle Seahawks: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

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Last week: 17 (+0)

As they always do, the Seahawks fell flat on the road last week. Now there are calls for Russell Wilson’s job after his 3 pick performance (none of which were ruled touchdowns strangely) just a few weeks after he was the media darling who “beat the odds.” They’ve got a great defense and they’re great at home, but their offense isn’t very good and they really struggle on the road. I can’t see a team with that description winning much more than 8 or 9 games and making the playoffs in a loaded NFC.

Studs

RB Marshawn Lynch: Rushed for 118 yards (68 yards after contact) and a touchdown on 20 carries, 6 broken tackles, allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 5 pass block snaps, caught 4 passes for 37 yards on 4 attempts

CB Brandon Browner: Did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, no tackles

Duds

QB Russell Wilson: 17 of 25 for 160 yards and 3 interceptions, 1 batted pass, 1 drop, 57.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 16 of 31 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 scrambles, 7 of 12, 1 interception)

RT Breno Giacomini: Allowed 6 quarterback hurries on 30 pass block snaps, 3 penalties, run blocked for 5 yards on 2 attempts

LE Red Bryant: 1 quarterback hurry on 19 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle

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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

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Last week: 21 (+3)

Record: 3-1

The Bengals have sufficiently proven they can beat up on crappy teams. Assuming Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Washington don’t make the playoffs and Baltimore does, the Bengals are now 12-0 against non-playoff teams since Andy Dalton took over week 1 last year. Unfortunately, they are also 0-10 against playoff teams so you really have to wonder if they’re anything more than an average team or as Bill Simmons calls them a “good bad team.” Next up on schedule is another likely non-playoff team, Miami, though as Arizona will tell you, they’re not to be taken lightly. Their next test with a likely playoff team is week 7 when they host Pittsburgh. Immediately afterwards, they host the Giants and the Broncos, so that will be their defining stretch. I’m not moving them up much past this until they look good in that stretch. Week 1 was ugly for them.

Studs

LT Andrew Whitworth: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

LG Clint Boling: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 3 attempt

C Jeff Faine: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 56 yards on 14 attempt

WR AJ Green: Caught 6 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts on 32 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch

CB Terence Newman: Allowed 2 catches for 23 yards on 6 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

SS Reggie Nelson: Allowed 3 catches for 6 yards on 3 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

DT Geno Atkins: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 6 quarterback hurries on 36 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 3 stops

LE Carlos Dunlap: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 20 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 2 stops, 1 penalty

Duds

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Rushed for 82 yards (49 yards after contact) on 26 carries, 1 broken tackles, 2 fumbles, caught 2 passes for 12 yards on 3 attempts, 1 drop

MLB Rey Maualuga: 5 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles, 1 quarterback hurry on 7 blitzes, 1 penalty, allowed 3 catches for 26 yards on 4 attempts

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Carolina Panthers: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 5 NFL Power Rankings, Panthers

Last week: 19 (+0)

Record: 1-3

Last week, I said they were better than they looked against the Giants and they showed it against the Falcons, leading late and only losing by 2. Their decision not to go for the clincher and go for it on 4th down was head scratching, considering all the resources they put into their running game, and their defense’s inability to stop the Falcons from getting into field goal range late starting from the shadow of their own end zone is troubling. However, this team does rank 5th in the league in yards per play differential and can play spoiler to some teams down the stretch.

Studs

QB Cam Newton: 15 of 24 for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 hit as thrown, 1 throw away, 2 drops, 104.5 adjusted QB rating, rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries, 1 broken tackle, 1 fumble, pressured on 9 of 31 drop backs (3 sacks, 1 scramble, 1 of 5, 1 hit as thrown, 1 drop, 1 throw away)

TE Greg Olsen: Caught 6 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 3.2 YAC per catch, run blocked for 48 yards on 4 attempts

LT Jordan Gross: Did not allow a pressure on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards on 3 attempts

LE Charles Johnson: 4 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 4 quarterback hurries on 42 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 7 stops

LOLB Luke Kuechly: 4 solo tackles, 3 stops, allowed 2 catches for -4 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection

LE Frank Alexander: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 20 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 2 stops

Duds

RT Byron Bell: Allowed 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 26 yards on 5 attempts

WR Brandon LaFell: Did not catch a pass on 2 attempts on 31 pass snaps

FS Haruki Nakamura: Allowed 4 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

ROLB James Anderson: 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, allowed 3 catches for 23 yards on 4 attempts

RE Thomas Keiser: Did not record a pressure on 21 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Tennessee Titans: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 5 NFL Power Rankings, Titans

Last week: 19 (-1)

Record: 1-3

Jake Locker looks like he’ll be out for a while. That’s not a huge loss because Matt Hasselbeck is a capable veteran backup who led this team to 9-7 last year. He might even be a better short term option. However, at 1-3, the Titans aren’t exactly looking for a good short term option. They want to see what Jake Locker has and get their young quarterback some reps so he can continue to develop for the future, so this does hurt them.

Studs

LT Michael Roos: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 26 yards on 4 attempts

CB Jason McCourty: Allowed 1 catch for 11 yards on 2 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 2 assist, 2 stops

Duds

WR Kendall Wright: Caught 4 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts on 30 pass snaps, 10.0 YAC per catch, 3 drops, 1 penalty

FS Michael Griffin: 2 solo tackles, 3 missed tackles, 1 quarterback hit on 2 blitzes, was not thrown on

DT Sen’Derrick Marks: Did not record a pressure on 16 pass rush snaps, 2 assists, 2 missed tackles

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 1 quarterback hurry on 26 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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St. Louis Rams: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 5 NFL Power Rankings, Rams

Last week: 22 (+0)

Record: 2-2

Despite their records, St. Louis and Arizona actually have the same yards per play differential. Neither has a very good one (tied with 27th with Oakland), but the Rams have a very good chance to knock off the undefeated Cardinals this Thursday Night, especially on home with the Cardinals having to travel on short rest. Besides, after the Rams’ win last week, NFC West teams are 37-23 ATS in divisional games at home. Even the 49ers went 1-2 ATS on the road in the division last year. The Rams just beat a similar team in the Seahawks. We could see a big upset on Thursday Night. Stay tuned for my pick tomorrow night.

Studs

CB Bradley Fletcher: Did not allow a completion on 3 attempts, 1 interception, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

CB Janoris Jenkins: Allowed 1 catch for 15 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

LE Chris Long: 7 quarterback hurries on 24 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop

LE William Hayes: 3 quarterback hurries on 14 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

K Greg Zuerlein: 5 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 71.6 yards per kickoff, 28.8 opponent’s average starting position

Duds

LG Quinn Ojinnaka: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 5 quarterback pressures on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

LOLB JoLonn Dunbar: Allowed 5 catches for 39 yards on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 assist, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

SS Quentin Mikell: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 1 attempt, 7 solo tackles, 4 missed tackles

MLB James Laurinaitis: 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 missed tackles, allowed 1 catch for 5 yards on 1 attempt

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Detroit Lions: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 5 NFL Power Rankings, Lions

Last week: 23 (+0)

Record: 1-3

I had the Lions as one of my disappointing teams to start the season and I’m feeling pretty good about that. Their special teams are a mess, having already allowed 4 special teams touchdowns this year, but special teams aside, they still rank 14th in yards per play differential. If they can get their special teams issues cleaned up, they can be better, but in a tough NFC, at 1-3, they are going to have a tough time making the playoffs. Matt Stafford isn’t quite as good as he was last year and the defense is just as bad and in their last 16 games, a full season, they’re 6-10. That sounds like about where they’ll end up at the end of this season and they’re a candidate, along with New Orleans, to be this year’s team that goes from in the playoffs to 5 or fewer wins.

Studs

CB Chris Houston: Allowed 2 catches for 4 yards on 4 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

LE Cliff Avril: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 quarterback hurries on 18 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

RB Mikel Leshoure: Rushed for 26 yards (20 after contact) on 13 carries, 1 broken tackle, 1 fumble, caught 4 passes for 37 yards on 4 attempts

RG Stephen Peterman: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 61 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt

WR Titus Young: Caught 1 pass for 17 yards on 2 attempts on 54 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

TE Brandon Pettigrew: Caught 7 passes for 67 yards on 9 attempts on 51 pass snaps, 4.4 YAC per catch, 2 drops

WR Calvin Johnson: Caught 5 passes for 54 yards on 11 attempts on 54 pass snaps, 1.6 YAC per catch, 2 drops

CB Dwight Bentley: Allowed 3 catches for 44 yards on 3 attempts, 2 penalties, 4 solo tackle, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

MLB Stephen Tulloch: 6 solo tackles, 3 missed tackles, 3 stops, allowed 3 catches for 16 yards on 3 attempts

DT Nick Fairley: Did not record a pressure on 19 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 penalty

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Washington Redskins: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

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Last week: 24

Record: 2-2

The defense is still a mess and they don’t have a 1st round pick for the next 2 years to fix it, but Redskins fans have to be thrilled with Robert Griffin. They’d do that trade in a heartbeat again. Down 2 with under 2 minutes left to go, was there any doubt that he’d lead the team into field goal range for the potential game winning field goal? And was there any doubt that Billy Cundiff would nail it for the win? Actually…yes there was, but still.

Washington Redskins

Studs

RB Alfred Morris: Rushed for 113 yards (74 after contact) and a touchdown on 21 carries, 1 catch for -4 yards on 2 attempts

QB Robert Griffin: 26 of 35 for 323 yards, 1 spike, 3 drops, 99.0 adjusted QB rating, rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 1 fumble, pressured on 13 of 40 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 scrambles, 7 of 9, 1 drop)

LT Trent Williams: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 49 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts

Duds

LG Kory Lichtensteiger: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 4 yards on 4 attempts

WR Leonard Hankerson: 7 catches for 57 yards on 11 attempts on 38 pass snaps, 3.7 YAC per catch, 2 drops

WR Pierre Garcon: 1 catch for 20 yards on 1 attempt on 30 pass snaps, 10.0 YAC per catch, 2 penalties

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Miami Dolphins: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

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Last week: 29 (+4)

Record: 1-3

The Dolphins lost in overtime last week, but you could argue they should have won, on the road, against an unbeaten team. The Cardinals recovered all 6 of the fumbles that hit the ground and Miami averaged a whopping 6.5 yards per play, as opposed to 4.2 for Arizona. They rank 8th in the league in yards per play differential and since their week 1 blowout loss against Houston, who pretty much blows everyone out, they’ve blown out the Raiders and lost in overtime to the Cardinals and Jets. Ryan Tannehill is a rookie and he’s going to be inconsistent, but he has promise. They also run the ball well and play solid defense. They won’t make the playoffs or anything, but this is an underrated team that could play spoiler and upset some “superior” teams.

Studs

C Mike Pouncey: Did not allow a pressure on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 46 yards on 7 attempts

WR Brian Hartline: Caught 12 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts on 44 pass plays, 8.0 YAC per catch, 2 interceptions when thrown to

WR Davone Bess: Caught 7 passes for 123 yards on 12 attempts on 45 pass plays, 8.7 YAC per catch, 1 drop

LOLB Kevin Burnett: 7 solo tackles, 2 assists, 5 stops, and 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 9 blitzes, allowed 5 catches for 28 yards on 5 attempts

MLB Karlos Dansby: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit on 11 blitzes, did not allow a completion on 3 attempts

LE Cameron Wake: 5 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 7 quarterback hurries on 49 pass rush snaps, 5 stops

CB Sean Smith: Allowed 8 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 2 interceptions, 1 pass deflection, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop

CB Nolan Carroll: Allowed 6 catches for 69 yards on 13 attempts, 6 solo tackles

Duds

RT Jonathan Martin: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 4 yards on 4 attempts

RB Reggie Bush: Rushed for 67 yards (26 after contact) on 17 carries, 1 penalty, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 11 pass rush snaps

WR Legedu Naanee: Caught 1 pass for 19 yards on 2 attempts on 28 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch

DT Randy Starks: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 46 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle

DT Paul Soliai: Did not record a pressure on 15 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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