2012 NFL Power Rankings

Philadelphia Eagles: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#4)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Eagles

Last week: 4 (+0)

Record: 2-1

The Eagles have gotten killed with turnovers in their first 3 games, with a league worst -6 turnover ratio. However, that tends to even out on a week to week basis. This is still one of the most talented teams in the league and they rank 4th in the league in yards per play differential. I expect them to eventually get their act together and finish as one of the best teams in the league, though I think Michael Vick is going to be a limiting factor come playoff time. This week, they have a big game against the Giants, one I expect them to win.

Studs

LG Evan Mathis: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 46 pass block snaps, run blocked for 28 yards on 3 attempts

RG Danny Watkins: Did not allow a pressure on 46 pass block snaps, run blocked for 14 yards on 3 attempts

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

LE Jason Babin: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 21 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops

RE Trent Cole: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 20 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 assist

LE Brandon Graham: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry, 3 solo tackles and 4 stops

RE Darryl Tapp: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 9 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

LT Demetress Bell: Allowed 7 quarterback hurries on 46 pass block snaps, 2 penalties

CB Brandon Boykin: Allowed 5 catches for 63 yards on 6 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

DT Derek Landri: Did not record a pressure on 17 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

DT Fletcher Cox: 1 quarterback hurry on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

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New England Patriots: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#5)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Patriots

Last week: 3 (-2)

Record: 1-2

The Patriots are under .500 for the first time since week 1 of 2003, but they’ll be fine. Over the past couple of years, they’ve started a little sluggish and then hit their stride. This week, they go to Buffalo to face an old punching bag and hope to avoid their first 3 game losing streak since 2002. They’re still the most consistent team in the league over the last decade. Tom Brady looks great as usual and their division is pretty easy, as is their schedule. Baltimore is the only tough road opponent they had. They’ll make the playoffs with ease, win a punch of games, and maybe even get a first round bye. However, no Super Bowl loser has won the Super Bowl since 1972 and unless the Patriots can fix things on defense, that streak will extend another year.

Studs

QB Tom Brady: 28 of 41 for 335 yards and a touchdown, 1 throw away, 5 drops, 104.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 45 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 7, 1 throw away)

LT Nate Solder: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for -1 yards on 2 attempts

WR Wes Welker: Caught 8 passes for 142 yards on 10 attempts on 45 pass snaps, 8.1 YAC per catch, 1 drop

Duds

TE Rob Gronkowski: 1 penalty, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 8 pass block snaps, 2 catches for 21 yards on 3 attempts on 41 pass snaps, 4.0 YAC per catch

MLB Brandon Spikes: 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 penalty, allowed 2 catches for 68 yards on 2 attempts

CB Kyle Arrington: Allowed 5 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 1 penalty, 7 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle

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Chicago Bears: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#6)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Bears

Last week: 8 (+2)

Record: 2-1

The defense is playing great as usual, but the offense needs to come along. The offensive line is a major issue, but Jay Cutler needs to be able to succeed in spite of it if he’s going to be considered an elite quarterback. The Giants won the Super Bowl last year despite a league worst pass block efficiency rating. Matt Forte is coming back from injury soon and they have an improved receiving corps. They won 11 games in 2010 and were 7-3 last year before injury struck. Expect them to have another strong season.

Studs

LG Chilo Rachal: Did not allow a pressure on 36 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 25 yards on 3 attempts

C Roberto Garza: Did not allow a pressure on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for -6 yards on 3 attempts

CB Tim Jennings: Allowed 1 catch for 8 yards on 9 attempts, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, 2 solo tackles

LOLB Lance Briggs: 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes, allowed 4 catches for 32 yards on 6 attempts, 2 pass deflections

LE Israel Idonije: 3 sacks and 1 quarterback hit on 32 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 3 stops

DT Stephen Paea: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackles, 2 stops

RE Julius Peppers: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 5 quarterback hurries on 28 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

K Robbie Gould: 6 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 73.3 yards per kickoff, 19.7 opponent average starting distance, 3/3 FG (22, 37, 54)

Duds

QB Jay Cutler: 17 of 31 for 183 yards and 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 batted pass, 59.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 34 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 8, 1 hit as thrown)

RT Gabe Carimi: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts

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San Diego Chargers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#7)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Chargers

Last week: 7 (+0)

Record: 2-1

So maybe these are the same old early season Chargers. They beat up on bad teams like last year, but got destroyed against a very good Falcons team. The good news is they should get better as the season goes on, as well, and they’re getting healthier. Antonio Gates and Ryan Mathews were back last week and Jared Gaither could be back this week. He’d be a huge boost to an offensive line that ranks 30th in the league in pass block efficiency, thanks, in large part, to an undrafted rookie left tackle. They still lead the AFC West thanks to a Denver loss and I think they’ll finish right above the Broncos and win the division.

Studs

MLB Donald Butler: 8 solo tackles, 2 assists, 6 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 2 catches for 14 yards on 4 attempts

Duds

QB Philip Rivers: 21 of 38 for 173 yards and 2 interceptions, 3 drops, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 59.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 20 of 40 drop backs (1 sack, 1 scramble, 7 of 18, 2 interceptions, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 2 drops)

LT Michael Harris: Allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 1 attempt

LG Tyronne Green: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

TE Antonio Gates: 3 catches for 22 yards on 7 attempts on 36 pass snaps, 1.7 YAC per catch, 2 interceptions, 1 drop

RE Corey Liuget: Did not record a pressure on 30 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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San Francisco 49ers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, 49ers

Last week: 9 (+1)

Record: 2-1

The loss in Minnesota was not unpredictable. Minnesota is an underrated team and it was to be expected that the 49ers would be flat against a “bad” opponent after being anointed after 2 weeks. The loss has allowed them to fall back to earth, which is what they needed, and they should be able to get a bounce back win in New York against the Jets this week. Well coached teams do. They still have the league’s best defense and should make the playoffs, though I still question Alex Smith and this offense’s ability to lead them to a Super Bowl victory, which is why I am ranking them this “low.” They’ll not well rounded enough.

Studs

C Jonathan Goodwin: Did not allow a pressure on 42 pass block snaps, run blocked for 18 yards on 5 attempts

LG Mike Iupati: Did not allow a pressure on 42 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

MLB NaVorro Bowman: Allowed 3 catches for 28 yards on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 14 tackles, 6 assists, 6 stops, 2 missed tackles

LOLB Ahmad Brooks: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 32 pass rush snaps, 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, 7 stops

ROLB Aldon Smith: 1 quarterback hit and 6 quarterback hurries on 32 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

WR Kyle Williams: 2 catches for 16 yards on 3 targets on 23 pass snaps, 1.5 YAC per catch, 2 punt returns for 24 yards, 2 kickoff returns for 144 yards

Duds

CB Carlos Rogers: Allowed 5 catches for 58 yards on 6 attempts, 1 solo tackle, 1 penalty

SS Donte Whitner: Allowed 1 catch and 2 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 missed tackles

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Denver Broncos: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Broncos

Last week: 9 (+1)

Record: 1-2

Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Houston, talk about being welcomed back to the NFL harshly for Peyton Manning. The Broncos stand at 1-2, but they rank 9th in points per play differential and they’ve been competitive in all 3 games despite a tough schedule. They should still be very tough to beat at home with their no huddle in the high altitude, despite a loss to a Houston team that might be the best in the league, and make the playoffs propelled by a 6-2 or 7-1 home record. This week, they have a great chance to bounce back with the Raiders coming to town.

Denver Broncos

Studs

LT Ryan Clady: Did not allow a pressure on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt

C JD Walton: Did not allow a pressure on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt, run blocked for 34 yards on 8 attempts

RE Elvis Dumervil: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 quarterback pressures on 24 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

DT Kevin Vickerson: 2 quarterback hurries on 17 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist and 3 stops

DT Justin Bannan: 2 quarterback hurries on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles and 3 stops

P Britton Colquitt: 8 punts for 381 yards, 3 inside 20, 4 returns for 19 yards, 42.8 net yards per punt

Duds

RB Willis McGahee: Rushed for 36 yards (22 after contact) on 12 carries, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 8 pass block snaps, 1 catch for 6 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop

RG Manuel Ramirez: Allowed 3 sacks and 2 quarterback hurries on 60 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempts

RT Orlando Franklin: Allowed 1 sack and 5 quarterback hurries on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 3 attempts

WR Demarius Thomas: Caught 3 passes for 36 yards on 11 attempts on 59 pass snaps, 2 drops, 7.3 YAC per catch

TE Jacob Tamme: 3 catches for 31 yards on 9 attempts on 37 pass snaps, 1.1 YAC per catch

RB Lance Ball: Rushed for 16 yards (11 after contact) on 7 carries, 1 catch for -4 yards on 3 attempts, 1 drop

CB Tracy Porter: Allowed 4 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop

LOLB Keith Brooking: Allowed 2 catches for 29 yards on 2 attempts, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, and 1 stop

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Dallas Cowboys: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys

Last week: 15 (+5)

Record: 2-1

The Cowboys, like the Eagles, can be dangerous if they can ever get their act together. Penalties and turnovers are killing them, but the latter typically evens out over time. They rank 2nd in the league in yards per play differential, including 1st in the league in yards per play allowed. Their defense is much better this season and they’ve done it without nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who will be back soon. We also haven’t seen the most of Tony Romo yet. I’d rank them higher if I thought they could conquer their penalties issue (they were one of the most penalized teams in the league last year as well), but I think they’re talented enough to make the playoffs even if they end up being one of the league’s most penalized teams, much like the Lions and 49ers did last year.

Studs

CB Brandon Carr: Did not allow a catch on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, no tackles

Duds

LG Nate Livings: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurries on 44 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for -2 yards on 2 attempts

RG Mackenzy Bernadeau: Allowed 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 45 pass rush snaps, run blocked for -1 yards on 1 attempt

RT Doug Free: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 45 pass rush snaps, 4 penalties, run blocked for -2 yards on 1 attempt

TE Jason Witten: 2 catches for 8 yards on 6 attempts on 40 pass snaps, 2.5 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 2 penalties, allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit on 5 pass block snaps

Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#11)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Steelers

Last week: 6 (-5)

Record: 1-2

The Steelers suck on the road. Over the last year plus on the road, they are -43, including playoffs, and +137 at home. They beat Indianapolis by just 3, Kansas City by just 4, and Cleveland by just 3 last year and now they lost to Oakland. They also really miss James Harrison and especially Troy Polamalu. 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. 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. Once the Steelers get home and get healthy off a bye, they should be fine. In a weak AFC, they still look like a good bet for the playoffs, but I don’t like their chances of winning a road playoff game, which it looks like they’ll have to.

Studs

QB Ben Roethlisberger: 36 of 49 for 384 yards and 4 touchdowns, 1 throw away, 2 spikes, 100.8 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 51 drop backs (1 sack, 6 of 9, 1 throw away)

WR Mike Wallace: 8 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts on 51 pass snaps, 4.9 YAC per catch

Duds

RB Jonathan Dwyer: Rushed for -1 yards (1 after contact) on 3 carries, 1 fumble, 1 catch for 1 yard on 1 attempt

LE Ziggy Hood: Did not record a pressure on 36 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

P Drew Butler: 3 punts for 108 yards, 1 inside 20, 1 return for 5 yards, 34.3 net yards per punt

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Minnesota Vikings: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#12)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Vikings

Last week: 26 (+14)

Record: 2-1

The Vikings’ win over the 49ers was no fluke. They rank 8th in the league in yards per play differential and they have a winning record despite no advantage in turnovers +0. The Vikings went 3-13 last year, but had a Pythagorean Expectation of 6 wins and averaged 22.9 points per game, which would have been 16th in the league, in the 9 games Christian Ponder led the team in passing attempts. Ponder has taken a major step forward in his 2nd year in the league, completing 70.1% of his passes for an average of 7.4 YPA, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions, including 21 of 35 for 198 yards and 2 scores against the 49ers, probably the league’s best defense.

Percy Harvin has emerged not just a legitimate #1 receiver, but one of the best receivers in the league, ranking 3rd in the league in yards from scrimmage by a receiver, now that the coaching staff is utilizing him properly. Kyle Rudolph has emerged as a secondary option. Adrian Peterson has made a miraculously recovery. The offensive line ranks 6th in the league in pass block efficiency thanks to some offseason changes and the defense is better as well now that they’re healthier. Every year a team goes from 5 wins or fewer to the playoffs. The Vikings are the favorites right now and by a good margin after other candidates St. Louis, Washington, and Tampa Bay all lost last week. Of the 7 candidates, only Minnesota is even in the top-24 in yards per play differential.

Studs

C John Sullivan: Did not allow a pressure on 41 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 23 yards on 122 attempts

RT Phil Loadholt: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 41 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 36 yards on 6 attempts

ROLB Chad Greenway: Allowed 5 catches for 20 yards on 6 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 7 stops, 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 9 blitzes

CB Antoine Winfield: Allowed 3 catches for 28 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 stop

Duds

RB Toby Gerhart: Rushed for 18 yards (9 after contact) on 8 carries, 3 fumbles, 2 catches for 20 yards on 3 attempts, 1 drop

RG Brandon Fusco: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 41 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

WR Michael Jenkins: 1 catch for 8 yards on 5 attempts on 32 pass snaps, 3.0 YAC per catch

RE Everson Griffen: Did not record a pressure on 22 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles

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Green Bay Packers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#13)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Packers

Last week: 1 (-12)

Record: 1-2

This is my shocker of the week. The Packers didn’t deserve to lose last week. But they still did. In a loaded NFC, that could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing the playoffs. One team every year goes from a 1st round bye to out of the playoffs. The NFC is the significantly superior conference this year, so it’s more likely that it’s going to be one of the NFC teams, unless one of the AFC teams is legitimately undeserving (I don’t think either Baltimore or New England is). In the NFC, however, legitimately deserving teams can miss the playoffs.

The Packers are a legitimately deserving team, but that might not be enough and they’re behind the 8-ball starting at 1-2. I think they’re more likely to miss the playoffs than the 49ers, who beat them head-to-head in Lambeau and who stand at 2-1 now in an easier division. The Packers and 49ers were the NFC’s 2 first round bye teams last year. The Packers also need to be worry about the fact that their offense has 4 touchdowns in 3 games and that Aaron Rodgers is 2-4 in his last 6, including playoffs.

Green Bay Packers

Studs

FS Charles Woodson: Did not allow a completion on 4 targets, 2 solo tackles, 2 assists

ROLB Clay Matthews: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 6 quarterback hurries on 24 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

NT Ryan Pickett: Did not record a pressure on 8 pass rush snaps, 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 3 stops

Duds

RB Cedric Benson: Rushed for 45 yards (35 yards after contact) and a touchdown on 17 carries, 3 broken tackles, 1 fumble, 4 catches for 19 yards on 5 targets, 1 drop

RT Bryan Bulaga: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 8 quarterback pressures on 55 pass block snaps, run blocked for 22 yards on 3 attempts

C Jeff Saturday: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback pressure on 55 pass block, 1 penalty, run blocked for 26 yards on 5 attempts

WR Greg Jennings: Caught 6 passes for 35 yards on 9 attempts on 47 pass snaps, 2.3 YAC per catch

WR Jordy Nelson: Caught 2 passes for 19 yards on 3 attempts on 48 pass snaps, 8.0 YAC per catch

CB Tramon Williams: Allowed 3 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 1 solo tackles

MLB DJ Smith: Allowed 1 catch for 8 yards on 1 attempt, 5 solo tackles, 3 attempts, 1 penalty, 1 quarterback hurry on 7 pass rush snaps

RE Jerel Worthy: Did not record a pressure on 21 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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