Detroit Lions: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#28)

Last week: 27 (-1)

Record: 4-10

Net points per drive: -0.02 (15th)

DVOA: -0.5% (14th)

Weighted DVOA: -1.0% (16th)

The Lions have had some bad luck with losing close, winnable games and having turnovers returned for touchdowns (they’ve had a ridiculous 10 turnovers/punts/kickoffs returned for touchdown this year), but they are the league’s most underachieving team this year and, with games against Atlanta and Chicago left, almost definitely this year’s team that goes from the playoffs to 5 or fewer wins. In a passing league, somehow the league’s #1 passing offense is at 4-10, while the league’s #32 passing offense (Minnesota) is at 8-6 and competing for a playoff spot, in the same division.

The Lions have some interesting bounce back potential next year (one team does the opposite, from 5 wins to the playoffs, every year, as well). They also have an interesting decision to make on Head Coach Jim Schwartz’s future. I’d say they should keep him simply because he took this team from 0-16 to the playoffs in a few years, but I could understand letting him go.

Detroit

Studs

WR Calvin Johnson: Caught 10 passes for 121 yards on 16 attempts on 52 pass snaps, 4.4 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

LOLB DeAndre Levy: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 2 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

ROLB Justin Durant: 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 6 blitzes, allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 2 attempts

FS Don Carey: 4 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 1 attempt

DT Ndamukong Suh: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits on 24 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackle, 1 stop

Duds

QB Matt Stafford: 24 of 50 for 246 yards, 3 interceptions, 3 drops, 3 throw aways, 1 batted pass, 55.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 16 of 52 drop backs (2 sacks, 4 of 14, 3 throw aways, 1 drop)

TE Tony Scheffler: Caught 3 passes for 36 yards on 7 attempts on 42 pass snaps, 5.0 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 1 interception

TE Tony Heller: Caught 2 passes for 18 yards on 3 attempts on 37 pass snaps, 7.0 YAC per catch

WR Kris Durham: Caught 1 pass for 14 yards on 5 attempts on 33 pass snaps, 10.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

CB Jonte Green: Allowed 5 catches for 52 yards on 6 attempts, 1 penalty, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

MLB Stephen Tulloch: 8 solo tackles, 1 assist, 6 stops, 2 missed tackles, allowed 3 catches for 11 yards on 4 attempts

RE Lawrence Jackson: Did not record a pressure on 14 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LE Cliff Avril: Did not record a pressure on 18 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

RE Kyle Vanden Bosch: Did not record a pressure on 11 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Philadelphia Eagles: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#29)

Last week: 28 (-1)

Record: 4-10

Net points per drive: -0.47 (27th)

DVOA: -20.7% (27th)

Weighted DVOA: -23.6% (29th)

Nick Foles showed a little bit of promise there for a few weeks, but he struggled on Thursday Night in a game the Eagles completely fell apart in, turning the ball over 4 times in 5 plays and blowing a 13-10 lead. That loss should seal Andy Reid’s fate as the Eagles will probably finish 4-12, with games against the Redskins and Giants left on the schedule. The Eagles will be motivated to play spoiler, but I don’t think they can get the job done. The new regime will have an interesting decision to make on Nick Foles and the future of this team’s quarterback position.

Studs

FS Colt Anderson: 7 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection

CB Nnamdi Asomugha: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle

CB Brandon Boykin: Did not allow a catch on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, no tackles

RE Trent Cole: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 33 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 5 stops

DT Fletcher Cox: 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 27 pass rush snaps, 1 stop

LE Brandon Graham: 3 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries on 27 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 6 stops

Duds

QB Nick Foles: 16 of 33 for 182 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, 2 throw aways, 1 hit as thrown, 1 drop, 61.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 12 of 35 drop backs (1 scramble, 1 sack, 4 of 10, 1 touchdown, 2 throw aways, 1 hit as thrown)

RB Bryce Brown: Rushed for 34 yards (29 after contact) on 16 attempts, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 9 pass block snaps, caught 1 pass for 11 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop

RT Dennis Kelly: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 3 attempts

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie:  Allowed 6 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

K Alex Henery: 4 kickoffs, 0 touchbacks, 58.0 yards per kickoff, 24.3 opponent’s average starting distance, 2/2 FG (20, 22)

P Mat McBriar: 6 punts for 258 yards, 3 inside 20, 4 returns for 42 yards, 30.9 net yards per punt

DT Cedric Thornton: 1 kickoff return for 0 yards, 1 fumble, did not record a pressure on 8 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

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Oakland Raiders: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#30)

Last week: 31 (+1)

Record: 4-10

Net points per drive: -0.76 (30th)

DVOA: -28.2% (30th)

Weighted DVOA: -28.1% (30th)

The Raiders shut out the Chiefs last week and still are tied for the league’s worst scoring defense. Aside from a weird win over the Steelers week 3, the Raiders wins have all come against the Chiefs (twice) and the Jaguars, who are the league’s worst teams right now. At 4-10 with games left against the Panthers and the Chargers, the Raiders look destined for 4-12. It’s not that those games are unwinnable, but I just don’t think they’ll win them.

Studs

RB Mike Goodson: Rushed for 89 yards (73 after contact) on 13 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 14 yards on 1 attempt

LG Cooper Carlisle: Did not allow a pressure on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 47 yards on 6 attempts

LT Jared Veldheer: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

RT Khalif Barnes: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 66 yards on 6 attempts

CB Brandian Ross: Allowed 3 catches for 12 yards on 6 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops

CB Michael Huff: Did not allow a catch on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle

CB Joselio Hanson: Allowed 3 catches for 19 yards on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

ROLB Phillip Wheeler: 6 solo tackles, 6 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit on 8 blitzes

RE Andre Carter: 1 sack, 3 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 27 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 1 stop

LE LaMarr Houston: 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

DT Tommy Kelly: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 24 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

WR Darrius Heyward Bey: Did not catch a pass on 5 attempts on 28 pass snaps, 1 penalty

LOLB Miles Burris: 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hit on 8 blitzes, allowed 4 catches for 31 yards on 4 attempts

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Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#31)

Last week: 31 (+1)

Record: 2-12

Net points per drive: -0.87 (31st)

DVOA: -33.6% (31st)

Weighted DVOA: -31.5% (31st)

Unlike the Chiefs, the Jaguars do have one winnable game left on the schedule as they head to Tennessee week 17, after hosting the Patriots next week, but I don’t think they’ll win another game either. All the promise that the Chad Henne era had when it started for a team that desperately needed it is gone after he’s gone back to being, well, Chad Henne, in the last few weeks. They’ll have to address the position this offseason, but this isn’t a good year to need a quarterback.

Studs

LT Eugene Monroe: Did not allow a pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 1 attempt

RG Uche Nwanari: Allowed 1 sack on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

WR Cecil Shorts: Caught 6 passes for 101 yards on 10 attempts on 43 pass snaps, 6.5 YAC per catch

Duds

QB Chad Henne: 18 of 34 for 221 yards, 1 drop, 2 batted passes, 68.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 14 of 37 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 5 of 11, 1 drop)

RT Cameron Bradfield: Allowed 5 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 10 yards on 4 attempts

TE Marcedes Lewis: Caught 3 passes for 8 yards on 4 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 3.3 YAC per catch

WR Jordan Shipley: Caught 2 passes for 13 yards on 3 attempts on 30 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch

CB Rashean Mathis: Allowed 3 catches for 36 yards on 4 attempts, 3 penalties, 2 solo tackle, 1 missed tackle

ROLB Julian Sanford: 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, did not allow a catch on 1 attempt

FS Dwight Lowery: 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles, allowed 1 catch for 17 yards on 1 attempt

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Kansas City Chiefs: Week 16 NFL Power Rankings (#32)

Last week: 30 (-2)

Record: 2-12

Net points per drive: -0.97 (32nd)

DVOA: -40.1% (32nd)

Weighted DVOA: -38.7% (32nd)

After getting shut out by the Raiders, it appears the Chiefs’ winning days are over as they have games against the Colts to close out their season. This puts them in the driver’s seat for a 2-14 record and the #1 pick and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving team. This team was rarely competitive once they put Brady Quinn under center and they didn’t manage a first down in the first half against a Raider team that had the league’s worst defense coming into the game. I would commend them for the shrewd move in ensuring they lock up the #1 pick, but Scott Pioli and Romeo Crennel are expected to be fired at the end of the season.

Studs

SS Eric Berry: 11 solo tackles, 7 stops, allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection

P Dustin Colquitt: 7 punts for 383 yards, 4 inside 20, 0 returns for 0 yards, 51.9 net yards per punt

Duds

QB Brady Quinn: 18 of 32 for 136 yards and 1 interception, 2 drops, 1 throw away, 1 batted pass, 65.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 14 of 36 drop backs (4 sacks, 4 of 10, 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 drop)

LT Donald Stephenson: Allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 quarterback hurries on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for -3 yards on 1 attempt

RT Eric Winston: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 38 pass block snaps

C Ryan Lilja: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 quarterback hurry on 38 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 11 yards on 5 attempts

WR Jamar Newsome: Caught 1 pass for 6 yards on 4 attempts on 30 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

WR Jonathan Baldwin: Did not catch a pass on 4 attempts on 37 pass snaps

CB Jalil Brown: Allowed 3 catches for 39 yards on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 penalties, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

LE Tyson Jackson: Did not record a pressure on 23 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

NT Dontari Poe: Did not record a pressure on 30 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

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New England Patriots: Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (#1)

Last week: 1 (+0)

Record: 10-3

Net points per drive: 1.17 (1st)

DVOA: 41.8% (1st)

Weighted DVOA: 45.8% (1st)

Tom Brady improved to 26-11 in his career against teams with a better record than his with his win over the Texans last week. That’s unreal. The Patriots are +198 on the season. The 49ers are closest at +132. They already have wins over the Texans and Broncos and if they beat the 49ers this week, they’ll have wins against 3 of the other 4 top-5 NFL teams and will be convincing favorites.

New England

Studs

LT Nate Solder: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 2 attempts

LG Logan Mankins: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 42 pass block snaps, run blocked for 25 yards on 6 attempts

QB Tom Brady: 21 of 35 for 296 yards and 4 touchdowns, 2 hit as thrown, 3 drops, 98.4 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 37 drop backs (1 sack, 1 scramble, 2 of 8, 2 hit as thrown)

WR Brandon Lloyd: Caught 7 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts on 41 pass snaps, 1.3 YAC per catch

CB Alfonzo Dennard: Allowed 3 catches for 31 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

ROLB Dont’a Hightower: Allowed 4 catches for 15 yards on 4 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 6 stops, 1 penalty, 2 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 16 blitzes

FS Devin McCourty: Allowed 2 catches for 20 yards on 3 attempts, 1 interception, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

DT Vince Wilfork: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

RG Dan Connolly: 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 17 yards on 5 attempts

WR Wes Welker: Caught 3 passes for 52 yards on 8 attempts on 40 pass snaps, 9.7 YAC per catch, 3 drops

MLB Brandon Spikes: 1 solo tackle, allowed 2 catches for 43 yards on 2 attempts

LE Trevor Scott: 1 quarterback hurry on 20 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle

San Francisco 49ers: Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (#2)

Last week: 2 (+0)

Record: 9-3-1

Net points per drive: 0.95 (2nd)

DVOA: 34.8% (4th)

Weighted DVOA: 33.9% (4th)

Nothing has changed. I still feel this week’s Patriots/49ers game will be a Super Bowl preview and I think the winner will be the Super Bowl favorite. Right now, the Patriots are the favorites to win the game and to eventually go all the way, but you can’t count this team out, obviously

Studs

RB Frank Gore: Rushed for 63 yards (30 after contact) and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 2 passes for 22 yards on 2 attempts

QB Colin Kaepernick: 18 of 23 for 185 yards, 1 throw away, 98.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 12 of 27 drop backs (4 sacks, 7 of 8), rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts

WR Michael Crabtree: Caught 9 passes for 93 yards on 10 attempts on 25 pass snaps, 5.6 YAC per catch

CB Chris Culliver: Did not allow a catch on 4 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle

MLB Patrick Willis: 6 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 5 blitzes, allowed 2 catches for 10 yards on 3 attempts

ROLB Aldon Smith: 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries on 33 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 stops

Duds

RG Alex Boone: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hurry, and 1 quarterback hit on 28 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 28 yards on 2 attempts

RT Anthony Davis: Allowed 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits on 28 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 2 attempts

TE Vernon Davis: Caught 1 pass for 4 yards on 2 attempts on 26 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

FS Dashon Goldson: Allowed 3 catches for 45 yards on 5 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LOLB Ahmad Brooks: Did not record a pressure on 35 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

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Houston Texans: Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (#3)

Last week: 3 (+0)

Record: 11-2

Net points per drive: 0.55 (6th)

DVOA: 15.1% (8th)

Weighted DVOA: 13.6% (8th)

The Texans can win out pretty easily because I don’t think the Colts are as good as their record and finish 14-2 and get the #1 seed (their other game is against Minnesota). That would probably send the Patriots to Houston in the AFC Championship, but after the Patriots showed them who the big boys in the AFC are, it’s hard to believe they’d win that game. They could. Teams are actually 8-4 ATS in the playoffs avenging a loss of 21+ or more in the regular season (though 4-8 SU), but the Patriots look like the inferior team right now.

Studs

LG Wade Smith: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts

C Chris Myers: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 51 yards on 15 attempts

WR Andre Johnson: Caught 8 passes for 95 yards on 10 attempts on 34 pass snaps, 4.5 YAC per catch

LE JJ Watt: 4 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 36 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

Duds

RT Ryan Harris: Allowed 3 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 14 yards on 3 attempts

WR Kevin Walter: Did not catch a pass on 3 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to, 1 penalty

FS Glover Quin: Allowed 2 catches for 48 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 penalty, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

MLB Tim Dobbins: 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles, allowed 2 catches for 27 yards on 2 attempts

NT Shaun Cody: Did not record a pressure on 17 pass rush snaps, no tackles

RE Antonio Smith: 1 quarterback hurry on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

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Atlanta Falcons: Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (#4)

Last week: 4 (+0)

Record: 11-2

Net points per drive: 0.54 (7th)

DVOA: 5.2% (11th)

Weighted DVOA: 0.6% (14th)

It’s not so much concerning that the Falcons lost in Carolina than it is that no one was really surprised. The Patriots lost to the Cardinals. The 49ers lost to the Rams. The Giants lost to the Redskins twice last season. But it wasn’t surprising because they’ve been playing inferior teams close all season. It was only a matter of time before one of them beat them. I still don’t believe they can turn it on when it counts in the playoffs and win 3 straight against playoff caliber opponents. They have arguably the toughest test of the season this week at home for the Giants.

Atlanta

Studs

RB Jacquizz Rodgers: Rushed for 21 yards (13 after contact) on 4 attempts, 1 broken tackle, caught 6 passes for 43 yards on 7 attempts

LG Justin Blalock: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 attempt

WR Roddy White: Caught 9 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts on 52 pass snaps, 1 interception when thrown to, 1.8 YAC per catch

Duds

C Todd McClure: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 54 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

SS Chris Hope: 2 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles, allowed 1 catch for 8 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Akeem Dent: 6 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 stop, allowed 2 catches for 59 yards and a touchdown on 2 attempts

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Denver Broncos: Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (#5)

Last week: 5 (+0)

Record: 10-3

Net points per drive: 0.65 (4th)

DVOA: 35.5% (3rd)

Weighted DVOA: 37.9% (3rd)

The Broncos are on an 8 game winning streak, but the Patriots control their own destiny for the #2 seed and if they beat the 49ers this weekend and I think they will win that one. The Broncos have their own huge game this week in Baltimore, which will probably be for the #3 seed if the Patriots win. It looks like the Broncos will be going to Foxboro in the AFC Divisional round for another Brady/Manning game. The Patriots won the first game in Foxboro and they’ll definitely be favored to win the 2nd game.

Studs

RB Knowshon Moreno: Rushed for 119 yards (87 after contact) and a touchdown on 32 attempts, 2 broken tackles, caught 4 passes for 48 yards on 5 attempts

LT Ryan Clady: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 24 yards on 4 attempts

WR Eric Decker: Caught 8 passes for 88 yards on 9 attempts on 43 pass snaps, 2.4 YAC per catch, 1 penalty

WR Demaryius Thomas: Caught 5 passes for 83 yards on 7 attempts on 30 pass snaps, 5.8 YAC per catch

CB Chris Harris: Allowed 2 catches for 17 yards on 2 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 quarterback hurries on 3 blitzes

ROLB Von Miller: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 26 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

K Matt Prater: 7 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 72.1 yards per kickoff, 18.1 opponent’s average starting distance, 4/4 FG (20, 33, 34, 43)

Duds

RG Manuel Ramirez: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 6 attempts

WR Brandon Stokley: Was not thrown to on 20 pass snaps

CB Tony Carter: Allowed 8 catches for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

RE Elvis Dumervil: Did not record a pressure on 30 pass rush snaps, no tackles

WR Trindon Holliday: 1 punt return for 0 yards, 1 fumble, 1 kickoff return for 33 yards

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