2012 NFL Power Rankings

New York Giants: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

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

Last week: 17 (+3)

Record: 2-1

The Giants are certainly talented enough for a playoff spot, but in spite of their win over the Panthers, this team still has some obvious flaws, much like they did last year. Last year, they won just 9 regular season games and had a negative point differential. Right now, they rank just 13th in yards per play differential, so they’re right about where they were last regular season. That’s not going to cut it in a loaded NFC.

Studs

QB Eli Manning: 27 of 35 for 288 yards, 1 touchdowns, 2 drops, 1 hit as thrown, 107.2 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 5 of 38 drop backs (1 sack, 1 scramble, 1 of 3, 1 hit as thrown)

RB Andre Brown: Rushed for 113 yards (83 after contact) and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries, broke 2 tackles, allowed 1 sack on 6 pass block snaps, caught 3 passes for 17 yards on 4 targets

LG Kevin Boothe: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 41 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 2 attempts

RT Sean Locklear: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 31 yards on 1 attempt

WR Ramses Barden: Caught 9 passes for 138 yards on 10 targets on 40 pass snaps, 5.1 YAC per catch

CB Prince Amukamara: Allowed 1 completion for 9 yards on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 1 penalty

RE Jason Pierre-Paul: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 2 batted passes, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

CB Corey Webster: Allowed 3 catches for 50 yards on 3 attempts, 2 penalties, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop

MLB Chase Blackburn: 1 solo tackle, allowed 2 catches for 35 yards on 3 attempts

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Buffalo Bills: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

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

Last week: 12 (-3)

Record: 2-1

This Bills fall despite winning for several reasons. One is the injury to CJ Spiller. Both he and Fred Jackson are questionable this week and will probably be back eventually, but it’s definitely not a good thing. The other is just that other teams in the AFC and have leaped them and the only reason they were in the top 12 is because top 12 is my playoff teams. I have Buffalo finishing one spot out of the playoffs now. An easy schedule, a good defense, a good running game, an excellent offensive line (first in the league in pass block efficiency) and a quarterback who can be decent if you give him time should allow them to be competitive and be in it until the last week or so, but I have them just missing.

Studs

C Eric Wood: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 57 yards on 7 attempts

RG Kraig Urbik: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 22 yards on 7 attempts

LOLB Nick Barnett: 5 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 stops, allowed 5 catches for 27 yards on 5 attempts

CB Aaron Williams: Allowed 1 catch for 9 yards on 4 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist

LOLB Bryan Scott: 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, allowed 2 catches for 3 yards on 3 attempts, 1 interception

FS Jairus Byrd: Allowed 2 catches for 2 yards on 2 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

Duds

RE Chris Kelsay: Did not record a pressure on 21 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Arizona Cardinals: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

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

Last week: 23 (+7)

Record: 3-0

Like the Seahawks and Marshawn Lynch, do you really trust anyone on this offense other than Larry Fitzgerald? The defense is great, but I don’t think they’re well rounded enough to make the playoffs in a loaded NFC. They have a negative yards per play differential and rank tied for 30th in offensive yards per plays. 3-0 is impressive, especially considering who they’ll played, but the Bills started 3-0 last year. 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 and take advantage of a dynamic change with the Cardinals going from dogs in 3 straight (and pulling 3 straight upsets) to being favorites. It’s one thing to win when nobody believes in you. It’s another to win when you buy into your own hype (see the 49ers last week).

Studs

QB Kevin Kolb: 17 of 24 for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns, 2 drops, 1 throw away, 108.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 12 of 29 drop backs (3 sacks, 2 scrambles, 4 of 7, 1 throw away, 1 touchdown)

RB Ryan Williams: Rushed for 83 yards (59 after contact) on 13 attempts, 5 broken tackles, 1 catch for 12 yards on 2 attempts

WR Larry Fitzgerald: Caught 9 passes for 114 yards on 9 attempts on 30 pass snaps, 4.5 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

SS Kerry Rhodes: 1 catch for 14 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 8 blitzes, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

RE Calais Campbell: 2 quarterback hits and 3 quarterback pressures on 40 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, no tackles

ROLB Sam Acho: 2 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback pressures on 29 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries on 30 pass block snaps, 1 penalty

RB Beanie Wells: Rushed for 18 yards (13 after contact) on 8 carries

RT Bobby Massie: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for 18 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Paris Lenon: Allowed 3 catches for 27 yards on 3 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 19 blitzes

LE Darnell Dockett: 1 quarterback hurry on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle

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Seattle Seahawks: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

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

Last week: 24 (+7)

Record: 2-1

Bogus win aside, do you really trust anyone on this offense aside from Marshawn Lynch? Their offense was stagnant all night on it took some blown calls to even get them into double digits. Russell Wilson was 9 of 20 for 106 yards and a touchdown before that late touchception. That’s not all him, his receiving corps and offensive line aren’t very good either, but that’s to be expected from a rookie quarterback, especially a 3rd round rookie quarterback. Their defense is the real deal, but the defense was the real deal last year too and they missed the playoffs at 7-9, despite the 7th ranked scoring defense in the league. They’ll probably end up with about 8 or 9 wins this year, but in a loaded NFC, I don’t think they’re well rounded enough to make the playoffs. They actually have a negative yards per play differential and rank tied for 30th in offensive yards per play.

Studs

LG Paul McQuistan: Did not allow a pressure on 28 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 8 yards on 1 attempt

C Max Unger: Did not allow a pressure on 28 pass block snaps, run blocked for 56 yards on 13 attempts

RG John Moffitt: Did not allow a pressure on 25 pass block snaps, run blocked for 24 yards on 5 attempt

SS Kam Chancellor: Allowed 5 catches for 20 yards on 7 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 penalty

ROLB KJ Wright: Allowed 6 catches for 50 yards on 8 attempts, 10 solo tackles, 6 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 14 pass rush snaps

RE Chris Clemons: 4 sacks and 3 quarterback hits on 40 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 4 stops

LE Bruce Irvin: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback pressures on 29 pass rush snaps, 2 stops

DT Brandon Mebane: 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hit on 29 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackles, 2 stops

P Jon Ryan: 6 punts for 301 yards, 4 inside 20, 3 returns for 12 yards, 48.2 net yards per punt

Duds

LT Russell Okung: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 28 pass rush snaps, 3 penalties, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

RT Breno Giacomini: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 28 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 3 attempts

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Tennessee Titans: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

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

Last week: 25 (+7)

Record: 1-2

There’s the Titan team I put in the playoffs at the beginning of the season. Jake Locker looked much more comfortable with Nate Washington and Kenny Britt at full strength, going 29 of 42 for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns, although part of that might be Detroit’s crappy secondary. The Titans do rank 18th in yards per play differential, but I’m not putting them back in the playoffs or anything yet. Chris Johnson is still hilariously bad, even against the type of poor run defense he would have gashed last season, and the young defense is still missing Cortland Finnegan and Colin McCarthy, though the latter is expected back from injury some time soon.

Studs

QB Jake Locker: 29 of 42 for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns, 3 drops, 100.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 7 of 45 drop backs (0 sacks, 3 of 7, 1 drop)

LG Steve Hutchinson: Did not allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 1 attempt

C Fernando Velasco: Did not allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 13 yards on 3 attempts

OT Michael Roos: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 45 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for -5 yards on 1 attempt

CB Alterraun Verner: Allowed 6 catches for 38 yards on 8 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

CB Tommie Campbell: 1 punt return for 65 yards and a touchdown

WR Darius Reynaud: 4 kickoff returns for 174 yards and a touchdown, 1 carry for 0 yards (1 after contact), 1 broken tackle, did not catch a pass on 5 pass snaps

Duds

RB Chris Johnson: Rushed for 24 yards (15 after contact) on 14 carries, 2 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 5 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop

LOLB Will Witherspoon: Allowed 6 catches for 83 yards on 9 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 2 missed tackle

CB Ryan Mouton: Allowed 11 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 1 penalty, 10 solo tackles, 4 stops

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback pressure on 55 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles

LE Scott Solomon: Did not record a pressure on 16 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Carolina Panthers: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

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

Last week: 22 (+3)

Record: 1-2

The Panthers looked horrible at home on Thursday Night, but they were the inferior team and superior, veteran, proven teams always have the advantage over teams like the Panthers. The good news is that they still rank 3rd in the league in yards per play differential. They’re getting killed in turnover differential, with a -6, tied for worst with the Eagles, but that tends to even out over time. Well rested, they go into a tough test in Atlanta this week and I think they have a better shot than people are giving them, even if the Falcons are awesome at home.

Studs

RT Garry Williams: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt

Duds

QB Cam Newton: 16 of 30 for 242 yards, 3 interceptions, 2 batted passes, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown, 2 throw aways, 56.2 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 33 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 1 of 3, 1 hit as thrown), rushed for 6 yards (18 after contact) and a touchdown on 6 carries

WR Brandon LaFell: 1 catch for 27 yards on 4 attempts on 39 pass snaps, 6.0 YAC per catch, 2 interceptions when thrown to

SS Charles Godfrey: Allowed 3 catches for 34 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle

RE Antwan Applewhite: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LE Charles Johnson: 1 quarterback hit on 30 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

WR Joe Adams: 2 special teams fumbles, 1 punt return for 0 yards, 5 kickoff returns for 105 yards

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

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

Record: 1-2

Last week: 20 (-1)

Andrew Luck doesn’t have any help. He played well, but losing at home to Jacksonville is embarrassing. The good news is that they outplayed the Jaguars, despite the loss, and they should be getting healthier defensively soon, after the bye. They also have a very easy schedule and Andrew Luck is also the real deal, which is the most important thing in what was probably going to be a lost season anyway. There’s hope for this team for the future, but this was more than a one year rebuild for a team that hasn’t drafted a Pro Bowler since 2006.

Studs

RT Winston Justice: Did not allow a pressure on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 2 attempts

CB Jerraud Powers: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle

Duds

LG Seth Olsen: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 54 pass block snaps, 1 attempt, run blocked for 5 yards on 3 attempts

RG Mike McGlynn: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 54 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 2 yards on 4 attempts

WR Donnie Avery: 2 catches for 28 yards on 8 targets on 53 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch

TE Coby Fleener: Did not catch a pass on 1 target on 22 pass plays, 1 drop,

MLB Kavell Conner: Allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 2 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

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

Last week: 29 (+8)

Record: 2-1

The Bengals, my original pick to go from out of the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, are still in the running. I had them doing do because I thought they were the worst of the 12 playoff teams last season (other than Denver, who added Peyton Manning). Andy Dalton can move the ball well against crappy defenses like Cleveland and Washington, but he’s still never beaten a playoff team, going 0-9 in those games (assuming Baltimore makes the playoffs and Cleveland and Washington don’t). They also have a negative yards per play differential and rank 20th in that regard. However, I think they’ve looked better than both Detroit and New Orleans this year, so those 2 teams have moved down past them on these Power Rankings.

Studs

QB Andy Dalton: 19 of 27 for 328 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 batted pass, 2 drops, 108.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 7 of 30 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble 3 of 4, 1 touchdown, 1 interception)

LG Clint Boling: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 2 attempts

RG Kevin Zeitler: Did not allow a pressure on 34 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempts

RT Andre Smith: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 34 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 attempts

WR AJ Green: Caught 9 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets on 34 pass snaps, 6.8 YAC per catch

RE Michael Johnson: 4 sacks and 4 quarterback hits on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 7 stops

LE Carlos Dunlap: 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback pressures on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle, 2 stops

Duds

TE Jermaine Gresham: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 10 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, caught 5 passes for 64 yards and a touchdown on 7 targets on 23 pass snaps, 4.8 YAC per catch, 1 drop

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Rushed for 38 yards (22 after contact) and a touchdown on 17 carries, 2 broken tackles, 1 fumble, did not catch a pass on 1 targets, 1 interception when thrown to

MLB Rey Maualuga: Allowed 7 catches for 89 yards on 7 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 stop, 3 missed tackles

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St. Louis Rams: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

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

Last week: 22 (-11)

Record: 1-2

Their defense is the real deal and they’ll play spoiler to a few teams. They’ve had a tough schedule, as well. However, the NFC is loaded and Sam Bradford is not a good enough quarterback to succeed behind this patchwork offensive line, which will remain patchwork for the foreseeable future. Steven Jackson is also at that age where running backs tend to be done and he’s looked the part so far this season, averaging 2.6 YPC or fewer in 2 games and then leaving the other one with an injury after 9 carries. Eventually, they’ll want to think about giving Daryl Richardson some more carries and hoping that he’s capable and that Steven Jackson won’t mind.

Studs

C Robert Turner: Did not allow a pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 4 attempts

CB Cortland Finnegan: Allowed 2 catches for 42 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist

CB Janoris Jenkins: Allowed 5 catches for 36 yards on 9 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 2 assist, 1 stop

LE Chris Long: 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

SS Quentin Mikell: Allowed 1 catch for 10 yards on 1 attempt, 3 quarterback hurries on 7 blitzes, 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 4 stops

Duds

QB Sam Bradford: 18 of 35 for 152 yards and 2 interceptions, 2 drops, 2 hit as thrown, 1 throw away, 1 spike, 61.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 18 of 43 drop backs (6 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 11, 1 throw away, 2 hit as thrown)

LT Wayne Hunter: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 6 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 attempt

LG Quinn Ojinnaka: Allowed 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 4 attempts

RT Barry Richardson: Allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

TE Lance Kendricks: Caught 3 passes for 18 yards on 6 targets on 33 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

WR Brandon Gibson: 2 catches for 19 yards on 5 targets on 31 pass snaps, 2.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

DT Kendall Langford: Did not record a pressure on 29 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

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Detroit Lions: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

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

Last week: 21 (-2)

Record: 1-2

Every year a team goes from in the playoffs to winning 5 games or fewer. The Lions, one of my preseason overrated teams, are a finalist for that spot, but I have them finishing a little bit better than that. However, their defense is atrocious just like last year and Matt Stafford, even if he doesn’t get hurt again, is not going to throw for 5000 yards and 41 touchdowns again to compensate. Stafford hasn’t been bad, but he’s not having the elite season he was last year. They are now, including playoff, 6-9 in their last 15, which is almost a whole season, and last year they needed a record four comebacks from down 13 or more to even win 10 games. This year, the offense isn’t good enough to compensate for the defense getting them in a whole early.

Studs

QB Matt Stafford: 33 of 42 for 278 yards and a touchdown, 4 drops, 108.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 5 of 45 drop backs (1 sack, 1 scramble, 2 of 3)

RB Mikel Leshoure: Rushed for 100 yards (35 after contact) and a touchdown on 26 carries, 4 catches for 34 yards on 4 attempts

LT Jeff Backus: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

LG Rob Sims: Did not allow a pressure on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 20 yards on 3 attempts

C Dominic Raiola: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 50 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts

WR Calvin Johnson: 10 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts on 60 pass plays, 3.6 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Chris Houston: Allowed 5 catches for 34 yards on 10 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 5 solo tackles, 4 stops

Duds

TE Brandon Pettigrew: 8 catches for 61 yards on 12 attempts on 53 pass plays, 3.3 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 1 penalty

RE Kyle Vanden Bosch: 1 quarterback hurry on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LE Cliff Avril: Did not record a pressure on 35 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 2 penalties

DT Corey Williams: Did not record a pressure on 31 pass rush snaps, no tackles

CB Dwight Bentley: Allowed 8 catches for 71 yards on 9 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

CB Jacob Lacey: Allowed 4 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

MLB Stephen Tulloch: 3 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackles, 2 penalties, 1 quarterback hit on 7 pass rush snaps, allowed 2 catches for 15 yards on 3 attempts

SS Erik Coleman: Allowed 3 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

RE Willie Young: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, no tackles, 1 penalty

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