2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings

Chicago Bears: Week 2 Power Rankings (#1)

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The Bears take over the #1 spot with a blowout win in which they were impressive on both sides of the ball, even though Brian Urlacher was playing hurt, against an underrated Colts team. I’ve been high on this team all offseason, but could never put them ahead of the Packers in the NFC because I thought the Packers were so good, but that defense looks like a mess in Green Bay. Of course, we’ll get an answer on Bears/Packers when the Bears head to Lambeau this week for Thursday Night Football. Stay tuned.

Studs

QB Jay Cutler: 21 of 35 for 333 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 batted pass, 1 thrown away, 2 drops, pressured 11 times, 96.4 adjusted QB rating

RB Matt Forte: 80 yards (45 after contact) and a touchdown on 16 carries, 4 broken tackles, 3 catches for 40 yards on 5 attempts, 1 dropped pass, 1 interception when thrown to

WR Brandon Marshall: 9 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts, 1 drop, 2.8 YAC per catch on 39 pass plays

CB Tim Jennings: Allowed 3 catches for 56 yards on 9 attempts, 2 interceptions, 2 pass deflections, 5 tackles, 1 stop on 13 run snaps

CB DJ Moore: Allowed 2 catches for 31 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 2 solo tackles on 5 run snaps, 1 special teams tackle

FS Chris Conte: Allowed 1 catch for 13 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 2 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 missed tackle on 13 run snaps

Duds

MLB Brian Urlacher: Allowed 3 completions for 42 yards on 5 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles on 7 run snaps

ROLB Nick Roach: Allowed 2 completions for 43 yards on 2 attempts, 1 solo tackle, 2 assists, 1 missed tackle on 11 run snaps, 1 quarterback pressure on 4 blitzes

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Houston Texans: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#2)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Texans

Last week: 2 (+0)

Record: 1-0

The Texans really looked like they were sleep walking through most of last week’s game and they still got the 30-10 win. It’s tough to learn much about a team when they play the lowly Dolphins. The Texans get their first test of the season this week when they go to Jacksonville…wait no, never mind. Eventually, we’ll see what this team is made of against a real opponent.

Studs

QB Matt Schaub: 20 of 31 for 266 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 dropped passes, 104.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured 12 times

LT Duane Brown: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for -3 yards on 2 carries

C Chris Myers: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 44 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries

WR Andre Johnson: 8 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets on 29 pass plays, 1 drop, 3.1 YAC per catch

LE JJ Watt: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits on 30 pass rush snaps, 3 batted passes, 1 tackle and 2 stops on 17 run snaps

CB Johnathan Joseph: Allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 4 attempts, 1 interception, 4 solo tackles and 1 stop on 18 run snaps

Duds

LG Wade Smith: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback pressures on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 6 carries

RG Antoine Caldwell: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback pressures on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 9 yards on 6 carries

RT Derek Newton: Allowed 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback pressures on 35 pass block snaps, run blocked for 2 yards on 1 carry

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New England Patriots: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#3)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Patriots

Last week: 3 (+0)

Record: 1-0

Super Bowl runner up hasn’t won the Super Bowl since Super Bowl XII or even made the Super Bowl since XXVIII. If anyone can end that, it’s the Patriots. The defense, unlike the Packers’ actually seems improved from last season, while the offense adds a new dimension with Brandon Lloyd coming in and Stevan Ridley becoming the starter. Tom Brady looks as good as ever and the offensive line held up, which was my biggest concern, albeit against a Titan pass rush that managed just 28 sacks last year.

Studs

QB Tom Brady: 23 of 31 for 236 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 2 drops, 103.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured 12 times

RB Stevan Ridley: 125 yards (82 after contact) and a touchdown on 21 carries, 5 broken tackles, 2 catches for 27 yards on 3 attempts

TE Rob Gronkowski: 6 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts on 28 pass plays, run blocked for 62 yards and a touchdown on 9 carries

LOLB Dont’a Hightower: 3 quarterback pressures on 8 blitzes, 5 solo tackles and 4 stops on 10 run snaps, allowed 5 catches for 39 yards on 7 attempts

MLB Jerod Mayo: 12 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 7 run stops on 15 run plays, 1 penalty, allowed 5 catches for 28 yards on 6 attempts

DT Vince Wilfork: 1 quarterback hit and 2 quarterback pressures on 44 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle and 1 stop on 11 run snaps

FS Tavon Wilson: Allowed 4 catches for 24 yards on 6 attempts, 1 interception, 3 solo tackles and 1 stop on 7 run plays

RE Chandler Jones: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries, 2 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 stops on 14 run snaps

Duds

LT Nate Solder: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits allowed on 32 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 2 carries

WR Wes Welker: 3 catches for 14 yards on 5 targets on 22 pass snaps, 4.7 YAC per catch, 1 drop

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Green Bay Packers: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#4)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Packers

Last week: 1 (-3)

Record: 0-1

The Packers’ defense was too reliant on turnovers last year. I thought they added enough talent and had enough bounce back candidate players to compensate and still be passable defensively, but they sure didn’t look that way against the 49ers. The last 3 times the Packers haven’t forced a turnover, they’ve lost. Every year there’s one team that goes from a first round bye to out of the playoffs. If the Packers don’t fix their defense and fast, they could be that team, as strange as it sounds. Aaron Rodgers is now 1-3 in his last 4 starts and they have a very good Bears team coming to town next week. They can’t afford to drop back-to-back home games to start the season.

Studs

WR Randall Cobb: 9 catches for 77 yards on 9 targets on 33 pass plays, 6.8 YAC per catch

ROLB Clay Matthews: 3 sacks and 1 quarterback hit on 24 pass rush snaps, 3 stops on 33 run snaps

SS Charles Woodson: Allowed 1 catch for 10 yards on 2 attempts, 2 sacks on 5 blitzes, 3 solo tackles and 3 stops on 33 run snaps

Duds

RG Josh Sitton: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure and 1 quarterback hit on 53 pass rush plays, run blocked for 5 yards on 4 attempts

RT Bryan Bulaga: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback pressures on 53 pass rush plays, 2 penalties, run blocked for 0 yards on 0 attempts

LG TJ Lang: Allowed 1 sack and 2 quarterback pressures on 53 pass rush plays, 1 penalty, run blocked for 0 yards on 0 attempts

RB Cedric Benson: Rushed for 18 yards (10 after contact) on 9 carries, 1 broken tackle

TE Jermichael Finley: 7 catches for 47 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets on 44 pass plays, 2.7 YAC per catch, 2 drops

LOLB Nick Perry: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on pass rush 25 snaps, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops on 33 run stop snaps, allowed 4 catches for 51 yards and 4 attempts

MLB DJ Smith: 7 solo tackles, 2 assists, 3 missed tackles, 4 stops on 32 run snaps, allowed 0 catches on 1 attempt

LE Ryan Pickett: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on pass rush 21 snaps, 1 assist on 25 run snaps

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Atlanta Falcons: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#5)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Falcons

Last week: 9 (+4)

Record: 1-0

Their offense was as advertised as they put up 40 on the Chiefs in Kansas City, though the Chiefs were missing their top two defenders. Speaking of missing defenders, the Falcons will be without top cornerback Brent Grimes for the entire season with a torn Achilles, which puts a damper on an otherwise good day for Falcons fans as they won on the road and the Saints lost at home. They’ll score a lot of points, but they’ll need to win a lot of shoot outs because their defense wasn’t exactly a strength even before the Grimes injury.

Studs

QB Matt Ryan: 23 of 31 for 299 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 dropped pass, 1 hit as thrown, one throw away, 110.3 adjusted QB rating, 3 rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown, pressured 8 times

WR Julio Jones: 6 catches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 targets on 34 pass snaps, 8.5 YAC per catch

ROLB Stephen Nicholas: 12 solo tackles, 1 assist, 7 stops on 32 run snaps, 5 receptions for 55 yards allowed on 8 attempts, 1 interception

LOLB Sean Weatherspoon: 7 solo tackles, 6 stops on 32 run snaps, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit on 6 blitzes, 4 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown allowed on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection

SS William Moore: 3 quarterback hurries on 4 blitzes, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles on 32 run snaps, no completions allowed and 1 interception off a deflection

P Matt Bosher: 9 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, average distance of 68 yards per kickoff, average starting yard line of 20.3, 1 punt for 52 yards, returned for 14 yards, net punting average of 38.0 yards per punt

Duds

RB Michael Turner: 32 yards rushing (15 after contact) on 11 carries and 1 broken tackle, no receptions

CB Dunta Robinson: 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 missed tackles, 1 stop on 27 run stop snaps, 4 completions for 56 yards allowed on 4 attempts

DT Peria Jerry: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 30 pass rush snaps, 1 assisted tackle on 25 run stop snaps

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#6)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Steelers

Last week: 6 (+1)

Record: 1-0

If I had remembered how bad the Steelers were on the road last year, I probably would not have picked them in Denver. Seriously, look at this, lose by 28 in Baltimore, win by 3 in Indianapolis, lose by 7 in Houston, win by 12 in Arizona, win by 7 in Cincinnati, win by 4 in Kansas City, lose by 17 in San Francisco, win by 4 in Cleveland. 3 good teams beat them, 3 bad teams hung with them, the only impressive wins were by 12 in Arizona and by 7 in Cincinnati and even those weren’t that impressive, and then of course there was the overtime playoff loss to the Broncos. This team was -22 on the road last year and +120 at home. They really need to win the division to have any chance to advance deep in the playoffs. The good news is they return home to play the Jets and get Ryan Clark and James Harrison back.

Studs

MLB Larry Foote: 10 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 7 stops on 28 run snaps, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit on 8 blitzes, allowed 2 completions for 10 yards on 3 attempt, 1 pass deflection

SS Troy Polamalu: Wasn’t thrown on, 6 solo tackles, 1 stop on 28 run snaps

K Shaun Suisham: 5 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 2/2 FG (21, 35)

Duds

LT Max Starks: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback pressures on 51 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 6 yards on 1 attempt

LG Willie Colon: Allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback pressure on 51 pass block snaps, 2 penalties, run blocked for 11 yards on 4 attempts

RG Doug Legursky: Allowed 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, and 4 quarterback pressures on 40 pass block snaps, run blocked for 12 yards on 4 attempts

RB Isaac Redman: Rushed for 20 yards (17 after contact) on 11 carries, 1 broken tackle, caught 2 passes for 7 yards on 2 attempts

LE Ziggy Hood: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 23 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop on 24 run snaps

RE Brett Keisel: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 21 pass rush snaps, 1 assist on 22 run snaps

ROLB Chris Carter: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 14 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle on 19 run snaps

CB Ike Taylor: Allowed 5 catches for 119 yards and 1 touchdown on 6 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle on 28 run snaps

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New Orleans Saints: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#7)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Saints

Last week: 6 (-1)

Record: 0-1

It’s not quite time to hit the panic button in New Orleans. They’ll get better as the season goes on. After the offseason they had, it’s understandable if they struggle out of the gate and if anyone can get through this, it’s a Drew Brees led team. However, they need to win the division to go anywhere in the playoffs because I don’t trust them to win a road playoff game and Atlanta looks like the better team right now. Those two divisional matchups with the Falcons could decide their season. Up next is a young Carolina team in Carolina. They can’t afford to go 0-2 so they’ll have to get over their road woes.

Studs

TE Jimmy Graham: 6 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on 9 targets on 47 pass plays, 3.5 YAC per catch

LE Cameron Jordan: 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback pressure on 31 pass rush snaps, 9 solo tackles, 3 assists, 9 stops on 45 run snaps

DT Brodrick Bunkley: 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 4 stops on 29 run snaps, 1 sack on 21 pass rush snaps

P Thomas Morestead: 6 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 72.7 average yards per kickoff, 19.2 average starting distance, 5 punts for 278 yards, 4 returns allowed for 34 yards, 48.8 net yards per punt

Duds

WR Joe Morgan: 0 catches on 2 targets on 31 pass plays

WR Marques Colston: 4 catches for 71 yards on 10 targets on 54 pass plays, 2.5 YAC per catch, 2 dropped passes, 1 interception when thrown to

SS Roman Harper: Allowed 3 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown on 4 targets, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 missed tackles on 45 run snaps, 1 quarterback pressure on 3 blitzes

ROLB David Hawthorne: 5 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 3 stops on 41 run snaps, allowed 4 catches for 50 yards on 4 attempts

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San Diego Chargers: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Chargers

Last week: 10 (+2)

Record: 1-0

The Chargers barely beat an overrated Raiders team that was shooting themselves in the foot all night. Yep, it’s the same old early season Chargers. That game reminds me of their close early season wins against bad teams last year, Miami, Denver, Minnesota, and Kansas City, all by 10 or fewer points. Playing a real team next week in the Titans, they might not find themselves so lucky, even if Ryan Mathews returns to give them a running game. Of course, they’ll eventually get it together and probably make the playoffs, where they’ll go one and done as favorites. After all, it is their way.

Studs

QB Philip Rivers: 24 of 33 for 231 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 throw aways, 1 drop, 101.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured 10 times

CB Quentin Jammer: Allowed 4 completions for 36 yards on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, allowed 7 solo tackles and 3 stops on 20 run plays

FS Eric Weddle: Allowed 4 completions for 17 yards on 4 attempts, 9 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 5 stops on 20 run snaps

LE Kendall Reyes: 1 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback pressures on 23 pass rush snaps, 0 tackles on 9 run snaps

K Nate Keading: 7 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 69.0 yards per kickoff, 17.7 average start distance, 5/5 FG (19, 23, 28, 41, 45)

Duds

LG Tyronne Green: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 6 carries

C Nick Hardwick: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 36 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 2 carries, 1 penalty

RB Ronnie Brown: Rushed for 5 yards (4 after contact) on 5 carries, 2 quarterback pressures on 8 pass block plays, 5 catches for 26 yards on 5 targets

LE Vaughn Martin: 0 sacks, quarterback hits, or quarterback pressures on 36 pass rush snaps, 0 tackles on 11 run snaps

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Denver Broncos: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Broncos

Last week: 13 (+4)

Record: 1-0

Well I think it’s safe to say Peyton Manning is fine after 4 neck surgeries. He might not have his best season, remember he’s 36, but unless he reinjures himself, the Broncos appear to have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The defense I still have questions about after they ranked 24th in the league in scoring last year. They did a good job of shutting down the Steelers thanks to a randomly amazing game by Tracy Porter, but we’ll see how they do in Atlanta against the Falcons this week.

Denver

Studs

LT Ryan Clady: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on 31 pass plays, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 carries

LG Zane Beadles: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on 31 pass plays, run blocked for 8 yards on 2 carries

C JD Walton: Allowed 0 sacks, quarterback hits, and quarterback pressures on 31 pass plays, run blocked for 37 yards on 11 carries

RG Manuel Ramirez: Allowed 1 quarterback pressure on 31 pass play, run blocked for 5 yards on 1 carry

QB Peyton Manning: 19 of 26 for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 drops, 117.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured 7 times

CB Tracy Porter: Allowed 5 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts, 1 interception, 4 pass deflections, 5 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles and 2 stops on 30 run snaps

ROLB Von Miller: 2 sacks, 2 quarterback pressures, and 5 quarterback pressures on 40 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 4 stops on 28 run snaps

SS Mike Adams: Allowed 2 completions for 21 yards on 4 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop on 30 run snaps

CB Champ Bailey: Allowed 2 completions for 42 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 solo tackles on 30 run snaps

LOLB Wesley Woodyard: 10 solo tackles, 1 assist, 8 stops, 2 missed tackles on 26 run snaps, 1 sack and 2 quarterback pressures on 9 blitzes, allowed 5 catches for 47 yards on 6 attempts

Duds

RB Knowshon Moreno: Rushed for 13 yards (3 yards after contact) and a touchdown on 5 carries, allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback pressure on 2 pass block snaps,

MLB Joe Mays: 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle, 1 stop on 30 run snaps, allowed 4 catches for 23 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts

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Philadelphia Eagles: Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Eagles

Last week: 4 (-6)

Record: 1-0

I had the Eagles making a big jump this season because history suggested their turnover differential would improve, because of their high Pythagorean Expectation last season, and because of how they ended last year, particularly defensively. Well, the defense looked great. I know the Browns suck offensively, but you don’t hold a quarterback to 11 of 34 and force 4 turnovers if you don’t have a good defense. That will continue to serve them well this season. They also have a solid offensive line and good offensive playmakers.

The problem seems to be Michael Vick. Of the Eagles 5 turnovers, he committed 4, which is why the Eagles barely defeated the Browns despite winning the yardage battle 456-210. If they can clean things up at home against the Ravens, they can still be one of the better teams in the league. If not and Vick is just done being an asset at this stage of his career, the Nick Foles chants will grow louder and this will just be a team held hostage by their quarterback problems.

Philadelphia

Studs

RB LeSean McCoy: 110 rushing yards (53 after contact) on 20 carries, 2 broken tackles, 1 fumble, 6 catches for 26 yards on 9 attempts, 0 quarterback pressures on 12 pass blocks

LE Jason Babin: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits on 28 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles and 3 stops on 12 run snaps, 1 penalty

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: Allowed 1 completion for 12 yards on 7 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 1 tackle on 21 run snaps

CB Nnamdi Asomugha: Allowed 1 completion for 24 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 tackle on 22 run snaps

Duds

QB Michael Vick: 29 of 56 for 317 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 4 throw aways, 1 hit as thrown, 1 batted pass, 58.4 adjusted QB rating, 25 pressured drop backs, 27 rushing yards (3 after contact) on 7 carries, 1 broken tackle, 2 fumbles

RG Danny Watkins: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback pressures on 65 pass blocks, 2 penalties, run blocked for 9 yards on 2 carries

WR Jeremy Maclin: 7 catches for 96 yards and 1 touchdown on 14 targets on 56 pass snaps, 2 interceptions when thrown at, 2 penalties

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