2012 Week 4 NFL Power Rankings

Houston Texans: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#1)

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Last week: 2 (+1)

Record: 3-0

I’ve poked holes in pretty much every other team in the league. I can’t do that with this team. They are without a flaw. Winning in Denver in the high altitude against a talented team and a no huddle offense is damn impressive and 3 games into the season, this is the Super Bowl favorite and the most complete team in the league. Actually, I kind of lied. You can poke two holes in this team. Can they stay healthy? And can Matt Schaub win it all on his first career trip to the postseason? That’s still better than everyone else, however, though there’s a lot left to be determined.

Studs

QB Matt Schaub: 17 of 30 for 290 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception, 2 throw aways, 2 hit as throwns, 1 batted pass, 2 drops, 102.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 17 of 31 drop backs (1 sack, 9 of 16, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 throw away, 2 hit as throwns)

C Chris Myers: Did not allow a pressure on 33 pass block snaps, run blocked for 56 yards on 15 attempts

LT Duane Brown: Allowed 1 quarterback hit on 33 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 18 yards on 3 attempts

CB Johnathan Joseph: Allowed 3 catches for 30 yards on 9 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

FS Glover Quin: Allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 4 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 5 blitzes

LOLB Brooks Reed: 1 sack and 5 quarterback hits on 41 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

LE JJ Watt: 3 sacks and 3 quarterback hits on 46 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 7 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

RT Derek Newton: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 25 pass block snaps, 3 penalties, run blocked for 10 yards on 3 attempts

RG Antoine Caldwell: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 18 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

CB Kareem Jackson: Allowed 7 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist

CB Brice McCain: 5 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 2 penalties, 2 solo tackles

ROLB Connor Barwin: Did not record a pressure on 51 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

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Atlanta Falcons: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#2)

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Last week: 5 (+3)

Record: 3-0

As many good teams as there are in the NFC, there isn’t a clear favorite. Maybe I just like poking holes in teams. Atlanta, however, is the best the NFC has right now and the favorite to represent them in the Super Bowl. The hole you can poke in them is that they rank just 10th in yards per play differential and they’re dominating the turnover battle with a whopping +10. However, they can’t continue to count on that going forward. Eventually, they’ll have to beat a team when they don’t dominate or win the turnover battle. They haven’t done that yet, though they’ve looked awfully good.

Atlanta Falcons

Studs

C Todd McClure: Didn’t allow a pressure on 46 pass block snaps, run blocked for 56 yards on 12 attempts

RT Tyson Clabo: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 17 yards on 5 attempts

TE Tony Gonzalez: Caught 9 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts on 45 pass snaps, 2.1 YAC per catch 1 interception when thrown to

CB Asante Samuel: Allowed 4 catches for 31 yards on 7 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

FS Thomas DeCoud: Did not allow a completion on 4 attempts, 2 interceptions, 1 pass deflection, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle

Duds

LG Justin Blalock: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 1 attempt

LE Ray Edwards: Did not record a pressure on 20 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

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Baltimore Ravens: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings (#3)

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

Last week: 13 (+10)

Record: 2-1

The Ravens rank 1st in the league in yards per play differential, though you need to add a human element to stats sometimes. Their defense is not what it normally is and they’re clearly missing Terrell Suggs and others. The reason they rank so highly is because their offense leads the league in yards per play. If the defense continues like this, they’ll need to offense to continue that and I don’t know if they can. Whether or not they can has a lot to do with whether or not Joe Flacco has taken that next step. He’s torched two bad defenses and struggled against a good one, so the jury is still out on that one.

Baltimore Ravens

Studs

QB Joe Flacco: 28 of 39 for 382 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 drop, 101.7 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 40 drop backs (no sacks, 1 scramble, 7 of 10, 1 touchdown, 1 throw away, 1 drop)

RB Ray Rice: Rushed for 101 yards (28 after contact) and a touchdown on 20 carries, caught 5 passes for 49 yards on 5 attempts

C Matt Birk: Did not allow a pressure on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 64 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts

RT Kelechi Osemele: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 19 yards on 3 attempts

WR Torrey Smith: Caught 6 passes for 127 yards and a 2 touchdown on 9 attempts on 46 pass snaps, 1 penalty, 4.0 YAC per catch

RE Haloti Ngata: 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits on 44 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 7 solo tackles and 6 stops

Duds

LT Michael Oher: Allowed 1 quarterback hit and 4 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

CB Cary Williams: Allowed 8 catches for 98 yards on 12 attempts, 1 penalty, 10 solo tackles

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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