Houston Texans: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#1)

Last week: 2 (+1)

Record: 8-1

I guess the Texans move into the #1 spot at Chicago’s expense with their win over them, but you have to wonder what the outcome would have been had Cutler not gotten hurt (he threw an interception on a promising drive immediately after suffering that concussion). It’s a shame that Cutler had to get hurt in what seemed like it would be the most revealing NFL game in terms of how teams stack up thus far this season. Also, that was only the 2nd time since 1991 that two 1-loss teams met this late in the season. It’s disappointing we couldn’t see the two teams as they’ve looked this season personnel wise.

Studs

RB Arian Foster: Rushed for 102 yards (65 after contact) on 29 attempts, 4 broken tackles, caught 5 passes for 15 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts

MLB Bradie James: 5 solo tackles, 4 stops, allowed 4 catches for 14 yards on 5 attempts

CB Kareem Jackson: Allowed 2 catches for 9 yards on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection

SS Danieal Manning: Allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 2 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist

Duds

QB Matt Schaub: 14 of 26 for 95 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 2 drops, 63.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 8 of 27 drop backs (1 sack, 5 of 7, 1 hit as thrown)

RT Derek Newton: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 27 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for -3 yards on 4 attempts

TE Garrett Graham: Caught 3 passes for 15 yards on 4 attempts, 1 drop, allowed 1 quarterback hit on 3 pass block snaps

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Chicago Bears: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#2)

Last week: 1 (-1)

Record: 7-2

It’s a shame Cutler had to get hurt. I was looking at the Houston and San Francisco games as two games that would valid a Chicago team that had been playing incredible up until that point. With Cutler missing most of the Houston game and probably all of the San Francisco game, we still don’t have a great read on this team. I still say I wouldn’t want to face them in the playoffs more than any NFC team, but their chances at a 1st round bye took a hit when Cutler got hurt.

Still, every year one team goes from out of the playoffs to the first round bye, so you can’t rule Chicago out (only other candidate is Indianapolis really). The key game for them is going to be against Green Bay. As long as Cutler is healthy, that’s a major bench mark as they attempt to prove their week 2 loss to the Packers was a Thursday Night fluke. I still say we’ll see Houston/Chicago again this year (perhaps on a Sunday in February in New Orleans).

Studs

LT J’Marcus Webb: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 3 attempts

C Roberto Garza: Did not allow a pressure on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 3 attempts

CB Tim Jennings: Allowed 1 catch for 23 yards on 4 attempts, 2 interceptions, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

CB Charles Tillman: Allowed 5 catches for 38 yards on 10 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 7 solo tackles, 2 stops

RE Julius Peppers: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 24 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops

LE Israel Idonije: 2 quarterback hurries on 20 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

RB Matt Forte: Rushed for 39 yards (26 after contact) on 16 attempts, 1 broken tackle, caught 2 passes for -3 yards on 5 attempts, 1 drop

RT Gabe Carimi: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 40 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 25 yards on 4 attempts

TE Kellen Davis: Caught 1 pass for 6 yards on 5 attempts on 21 pass snaps, 4.0 YAC per catch, 2 drops, 1 interception when thrown to

WR Devin Hester: Caught 2 passes for 4 yards on 4 attempts on 24 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch

WR Earl Bennett: Caught 1 pass for 9 yards on 1 attempt on 36 pass snaps, 8.0 YAC per catch

ROLB Nick Roach: 2 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 1 yard on 1 attempt

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Atlanta Falcons: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#3)

Last week: 3 (+0)

Record: 8-1

I’ve said it several times before. There’s only so long you can play inferior teams close before one of them beats out and that’s what happened in New Orleans last week. Fortunately, their remaining schedule isn’t that hard (vs. Arizona, @ Tampa Bay, vs. New Orleans, @ Carolina, vs. NY Giants, @ Detroit, vs. Tampa Bay), so they should probably still be able to get the #1 seed, but I wouldn’t like their chances with someone like Chicago coming to town in the NFC Championship game.

Studs

TE Tony Gonzalez: Caught 11 passes for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 attempts on 52 pass snaps, 1.9 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

WR Roddy White: Caught 7 passes for 114 yards on 12 attempts on 53 pass snaps, 1.8 YAC per catch

CB Asante Samuel: Did not allow a catch on 3 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

P Matt Bosher: 6 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 70.7 yards per kickoff, 21.0 opponent’s average starting distance, 3 punts for 140 yards, 1 inside 20, 1 return for 2 yards, 46.0 net yards per punt

Duds

RB Michael Turner: Rushed for 15 yards (32 after contact) on 13 attempts, 1 broken tackle, did not catch a pass on 1 attempt

LG Justin Blalock: Allowed 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 56 pass block snaps

C Todd McClure: 2 quarterback hurries on 56 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 14 yards on 5 attempts

RG Peter Konz: Allowed 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 56 pass block snaps

SS William Moore: Allowed 3 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 1 penalty, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 quarterback hurry on 1 blitz

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New England Patriots: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#4)

Last week: 4 (+0)

Record: 6-3

Holy crap this secondary is terrible. They better hope that Aqib Talib making his debut this week and Patrick Chung returning from injury fixes their pass coverage issues. I just can’t see a team with this poor of pass coverage winning the Super Bowl. It’s worse than last year. Besides, no Super Bowl runner up has won the Super Bowl in 40 years. On the flip side, if Talib and Chung can shore up their only real flaw, all of a sudden, this team that already ranks 3rd in the NFL in points differential becomes awfully scary.

Studs

RB Danny Woodhead: Rushed 15 yards (0 after contact) and a touchdown on 1 attempt, caught 4 passes for 46 yards on 6 attempts

K Stephen Gostkowski: 8 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks, 72.9 yards per kickoff, 17.8 opponent’s average starting distance, 3/3 FG (27, 43, 48)

Duds

WR Deion Branch: Caught 4 passes for 30 yards on 8 attempts on 35 pass snaps, 3.5 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Alfonzo Dennard: Allowed 7 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts, 1 penalty, 6 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

LOLB Jerod Mayo: Allowed 3 catches for 63 yards on 5 attempts, 1 penalty, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

ROLB Dont’a Hightower: Allowed 3 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

RE Chandler Jones: 1 quarterback hurry on 42 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle

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Denver Broncos: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#5)

Last week: 5 (+0)

Record: 6-3

It’s weird to say, but Tracy Porter getting sick was the turning point for their season. Obviously, I wish the best for Porter in his recovery from him mysterious illness, but as well as Peyton Manning is playing, they wouldn’t be a complete team if it weren’t for Chris Harris and Tony Carter stepping up and playing phenomenal in their secondary and that wouldn’t have happened if Porter were playing.

They haven’t lost since Porter went out. Harris and Porter are both former undrafted cornerbacks who were afterthoughts on the depth chart that Jack Del Rio has playing out of their minds. Carter is allowing 11 of 32 for 115 yards, 2 interceptions, 4 deflections, and 1 penalty and is unfortunately not even on the Pro-Bowl ballot. Chris Harris, meanwhile, is allowing 23 of 40 for 255 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, while deflecting 1 pass and committing just 1 penalty. He also has 3 sacks and is playing the run very well.

They rank 6th in pass defense, 2nd in run defense and lead the league in yards per play differential. In rate of sustaining drives, they’re 9th. Peyton Manning is completing 69.7% of his passes for 8.2 YPA, 21 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, all above his career averages. Their only issue is that they’re -4 in turnovers, but they’re improving in that area, though Willis McGahee’s fumbling problem is an issue. Only Tampa Bay and Baltimore are likely playoff teams remaining on their schedule, so they should be able to go around 12-4 and get either the 2nd or 3rd seed in the AFC depending on what happens with New England (remember, the Patriots won head-to-head, so they have the tiebreaker).

Studs

QB Peyton Manning: 27 of 38 for 301 yards and a touchdown, 4 drops, 104.4 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 6 of 40 drop backs (1 sack, 3 of 5)

RG Manuel Ramirez: Did not allow a pressure on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 3 attempts

WR Demaryius Thomas: Caught 9 passes for 135 yards on 11 attempts on 41 pass snaps, 4.1 YAC per catch, 1 drop

WR Trindon Holliday: Caught 2 passes for 17 yards on 2 attempts on 3 pass snaps, 8.5 YAC per catch, 8 punt returns for 125 yards and a touchdown

CB Tony Carter: Allowed 2 catches for 30 yards on 6 attempts, 1 interception, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

ROLB Von Miller: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 5 quarterback hurries on 36 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 penalty

RE Robert Ayers: 1 sack, 3 quarterback hits, and 2 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 2 solo tackles, 3 stops

CB Champ Bailey: Allowed 1 catch for 19 yards on 3 attempts, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

P Britton Colquitt: 6 punts for 288 yards, 3 inside 20, 3 returns for 10 yards, 46.3 net yards per punt

Duds

RB Willis McGahee: Rushed for 56 yards (24 after contact) on 14 attempts, 2 fumbles, 1 penalty, caught 4 passes for 33 yards on 6 attempts, 1 drop

WR Eric Decker: Caught 2 passes for 15 yards on 4 attempts on 42 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 2 drops

LOLB Wesley Woodyard: 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, allowed 4 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts

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San Francisco 49ers: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#6)

Last week: 6 (+0)

Record: 6-2-1

Under St. Louis’ write up, I made a sarcastic comment about ties. Now it’s time for a full, serious rant. The NFL’s overtime rules are ridiculous. I love that they changed it so you can’t win with a field goal on your opening drive, but they need to make a change so there are no more ties. No one wins in a tie. Both teams lose. Teams bust their ass for 75 minutes playing the one of the most physically demanding sports in America and the net result is zero. It’s like the game didn’t even happen. It’s soccer. This is not Europe! America has winners and losers! We should not have ties!!!

The NFL should just adopt college football’s overtime rules. That’s the one thing the NCAA does so much better than the NFL (that and pass interference being 15 yards instead of a spot foul). At the very least, they should do some kind of sudden death NHL style shoot out with field goal kickers. I know having an NFL game decided by kickers is less than ideal, but it does happen all the time (if Akers had hit from 41, this game would have been decided by a field goal kicker). Plus, at least we’d have a winner.

Studs

LOLB Ahmad Brooks: 5 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 3 batted passes, 1 penalty, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops

ROLB Aldon Smith: 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops

Duds

LG Mike Iupati: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 attempts

RG Adam Boone: Allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 21 yards on 3 attempts

RT Anthony Davis: Allowed 1 sack and 6 quarterback hurries on 37 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 1 attempt

TE Vernon Davis: Caught 4 passes for 30 yards on 5 attempts on 32 pass block snaps, 0.3 YAC per catch, allowed 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 5 pass block snaps

WR Kyle Williams: Caught 2 passes for 24 yards on 3 attempts on 19 pass block snaps, 7.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 penalty

FS Dashon Goldson: Allowed 1 catch for 17 yards on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 2 stops, 3 missed tackles

CB Carlos Rogers: Allowed 9 catches for 67 yards on 9 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 2 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

WR Ted Ginn: 5 kickoff returns for 118 yards, 1 fumble, 2 punt returns for 23 yards

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Baltimore Ravens: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#7)

Last week: 14 (+7)

Record: 7-2

This team really lucked out. They were looking shaky (even off a 35 point home win) and had 2 games against the Steelers in their next 3 weeks and looked poised to cede their division lead, but Ben Roethlisberger’s injury changes that. They’re still allowing 40 more yards per game than they gain and have only won 2 games by more than 10 points despite an easy schedule. Even in their huge win last week, they still got outgained, just the 4th time since 1989 a team has been outgained and still won by 35 or more. They’ll be a good team to fade in the first round of the playoffs, especially if a healthy Steelers team comes to town.

Studs

LT Michael Oher: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 2 attempts

TE Dennis Pitta: Caught 5 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts on 23 pass snaps, 7.2 YAC per catch

CB Cary Williams: Allowed 3 catches for 27 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop

LOLB Paul Kruger: 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 interception

K Justin Tucker: 10 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 71.7 yards per punt, 20.9 opponent’s average starting distance, 2/2 FG (34, 48)

P Sam Koch: 4 punts for 205 yards, 2 inside 20, 3 returns for 0 yards, 51.3 net yards per punt, rushed for 7 yards and a touchdown on 1 attempt

WR Jacoby Jones: 1 kickoff return for 105 yards and a touchdown, 3 punt returns for 36 yards, caught 2 passes for 54 yards on 3 attempts on 15 pass snaps, 10.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to

Duds

CB Corey Graham: Allowed 5 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes

MLB Jameel McClain: Allowed 7 catches for 110 yards on 9 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes

CB Chykie Brown: Allowed 3 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts, 2 solo tackles

LOLB Courtney Upshaw: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 4 solo tackles, 3 stops

ROLB Terrell Suggs: Did not record a pressure on 34 pass rush snaps, 2 batted passs, 1 assist

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Indianapolis Colts: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

Last week: 9 (+1)

Record: 6-3

I’ve never seen anything like this ChuckStrong movement in the NFL. It’s spread from the team shaving their heads to citizens of the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding area shaving their heads to even one of the cheerleaders agreeing to shave her head if they can raise $10,000 for cancer research (ballsy girl). This thing has almost become on the level of Lance Armstrong and Jim Valvano. I wouldn’t want to bet against this bunch going forward. Practically speaking, they’re 2 games up on a playoff spot, having won 5 of their last 6 games, including 4 in a row. They have games against Tennessee, Buffalo, and Kansas City, and Houston might be resting starters week 17. Their other 3 games (@ New England, @ Detroit, @ Houston) aren’t impossible either.

Studs

QB Andrew Luck: 18 of 26 for 227 yards and an interception, 4 drops, 111.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 9 of 30 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 of 7, 2 drops, 1 interception)

RG Mike McGlynn: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 4 yards on 1 attempt

CB Darius Butler: Allowed 6 catches for 65 yards on 12 attempts, 2 interceptions, 5 solo tackles

SS Antoine Bethea: Allowed 1 catch for 12 yards on 3 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

MLB Moise Fokou: Did not allow a catch on 1 attempt, 1 pass deflection, 1 solo tackle, 2 assists, 1 stop

P Pat McAfee: 6 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 67.7 yards per kickoff, 19.3 opponents average starting position, 3 punts for 135 yards, 2 inside 20, no returns, 45.0 net yards per punt

Duds

RB Donald Brown: Rushed for 42 yards (25 after contact) on 14 carries, 1 broken tackle, did not catch a pass on 1 attempt

LG Joe Reitz: Allowed 3 quarterback hits and 2 quarterback hurries on 31 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 attempts

CB Cassius Vaughn: Allowed 9 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts, 1 penalty, 7 solo tackles, 1 stop

ROLB Dwight Freeney: 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback hurries on 56 pass rush snaps, no tackles

LE Cory Redding: Did not record a pressure on 43 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 batted pass, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Seattle Seahawks: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

Last week: 10 (+1)

Record: 6-4

Remember two weeks ago when everyone thought the sky was falling for them when they were 4-4 after losing to Detroit. And two weeks before that everyone thought they were great when they were 4-2 and coming off a win against New England. Well, now they’re 6-4 and everyone thinks they’re great following a blowout win over the Jets. What happened? They went home. This team, as always, is much better at home than on the road, going 5-0 at home with 3 upset wins and 1-4 on the road with 2 upset losses.

Now they go on the road to Miami and Chicago and could be 6-6 at the end of that and everyone will think the sky is falling for them again before they finish up by winning their last 4, beating Arizona, St. Louis, and San Francisco (in upset fashion) at home and taking care of business on the road against crappy Buffalo. 10 wins should get you a playoff spot in the NFC. The Seahawks already have the tiebreaker over the Packers. If they can win their last 3 home games and beat either Miami or Buffalo on the road, they should be on good position to win a wild card berth, go on the road in the first round, and then get sent home immediately.

Studs

QB Russell Wilson: 12 of 19 for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 1 batted pass, 101.1 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 14 of 26 drop backs (4 sacks, 2 scrambles, 4 of 8, 1 hit as thrown, 1 throw away), rushed for 34 yards (19 yards after contact) on 7 attempts

CB Richard Sherman: Did not allow a completion on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections, 1 sack on 1 blitz, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop

LOLB Leroy Hill: Allowed 3 catches for 10 yards on 4 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops

FS Earl Thomas: Allowed 3 catches for 11 yards on 3 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 2 blitzes

Duds

RE Chris Clemons: 1 quarterback hit on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

DT Brandon Mebane: Did not record a pressure on 21 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 11 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

Last week: 7 (-3)

Record: 6-3

Ben Roethlisberger’s injury hurts, but the sky isn’t falling. In Roethlisberger’s career, they are 8-5 when he doesn’t play, starting with his first start week 3 of 2004. They have a 2 game lead over the rest of the AFC for a playoff spot. 9-7 should get you a playoff spot in the AFC and the Steelers just have to go 3-4 to do that against a schedule that isn’t very hard. This really hurts their chances of taking the division (which was up for the taking with 2 games in 3 weeks against an overrated division leading Baltimore squad), but they should still be able to make the playoffs and if they can get everyone healthy for the playoffs (including Troy Polamalu), they’ll still be dangerous.

Studs

RE Brett Keisel: 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 quarterback hurries on 31 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 5 stops

LOLB LaMarr Woodley: 2 quarterback hurries on 19 pass rush snaps, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

MLB Lawrence Timmons: Allowed 2 catches for 14 yards on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 5 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 7 blitzes

Duds

RB Isaac Redman: Rushed for 21 yards (11 after contact) on 8 attempts, 1 fumble, caught 2 passes for 18 yards on 3 attempts, 1 drop

FB Will Johnson: Caught 1 passes for 7 yards on 2 attempts, 1 drop, run blocked for 9 yards on 3 attempts

ROLB James Harrison: Did not record a pressure on 19 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops

NT Casey Hampton: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

RB Chris Rainey: 1 punt return for 0 yards, 1 fumble, was not thrown to on 2 pass snaps

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