2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

Arizona Cardinals: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

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Last week: 21 (+0)

Record: 4-3

After going 10-1 in an 11 game stretch in games decided by less than a touchdown, the Cardinals have lost 2 straight games of that nature. They must have “forgotten how to win.” Well, before that 11 game stretch, they were 2-8 in their last 10 games of that nature with the same group of guys. In reality, there is no such thing as “knowing how to win games.” Historically, teams that win more than 67% of games decided by a touchdown or less over the course of a season will win 50% of those types of games the following season. Meanwhile, teams that win a game by 7 or fewer win their following game 52% of the time if it’s decided by 7 or fewer.

The only exception seems to be having a franchise quarterback (which the Cardinals clearly don’t). Guys like Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady have great career records in those types of games. I makes sense. It’s a lot easier for one guy to be clutch and elevate his play in crunch time than it is for a whole team to do so. It’s wrong to expect the Cardinals to now become bad at winning close games and go on another 2-8 type stretch, but going forward, they should be expected to win about 50% of their close games.

Studs

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling: Rushed for 104 yards (73 after contact) and a touchdown on 20 attempts, 9 broken tackles, caught 4 passes for 45 yards on 5 attempts

WR Andre Roberts: Caught 7 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts on 44 pass snaps, 6.8 YAC per catch

SS Adrian Wilson: Did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 3 stops

RE Calais Campbell: 3 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 22 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

ROLB Sam Acho: 1 interception, 1 quarterback hit and 1 quarterback hurry on 17 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps

RT Bobby Massie: Allowed 2 sacks and 8 quarterback hurries on 44 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 1 attempt, 1 penalty

WR Early Doucet: Caught 3 passes for 19 yards on 6 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 5.3 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

LE Darnell Dockett: 1 quarterback hurry on 21 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Tennessee Titans: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

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Last week: 22 (+6)

Record: 3-4

If the Titans beat the Colts in Tennessee this week, the Titans will be 4-4 in the crappy AFC and then anything can happen. Given that I picked them to make the playoffs before the season, I obviously would like to see that happen, but I don’t think it will. I picked them to do so because of a strong defense and an improved offense with Jake Locker. Well, their defense is the league’s worst allowing 34 points per game. I’m still baffled how they went from 8th in the league last year to dead last, but they can’t make the playoffs if they can’t get their defense somehow turned around. Despite their record, they are -89 in points differential, worst in the league. All 3 of their wins have come by 3 or fewer, while their 4 losses were by a combined 96 points, with each one coming by at least 21 points.

Studs

RB Chris Johnson: Rushed for 195 yards (35 after contact) and 2 touchdowns on 18 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 1 pass for 3 yards on 1 attempt

QB Matt Hasselbeck: 22 of 33 for 205 yards and a touchdown, 3 throw aways, 2 drops, 98.9 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 11 of 35 drop backs (2 sacks, 3 of 9, 3 throw aways, 1 drop)

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 1 sack and 4 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops

Duds

FS Michael Griffin: Allowed 3 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts, 7 solo tackles

MLB Will Witherspoon: 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle, allowed 1 catch for 6 yards on 1 attempt

DT Jurrell Casey: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 assist

K Rob Bironas: 6 kickoffs, 2 touchbacks, 63.2 yards per kickoff, 39.5 opponent’s average starting distance

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New York Jets: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

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Last week: 23 (+2)

Record: 3-4

I’m impressed with the way the Jets have bounced back from losing Darrelle Revis and then getting shut out at home by the 49ers. Since then, they’ve covered in 3 straight games, hanging with the Texans, blowing out the Colts, and hanging with the Patriots in New England. Antonio Cromartie is playing out of his mind right now since Revis went down, allowing 7 catches for 109 yards on 22 attempts, with 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, and 4 pass deflections. The defensive and offensive fronts are playing like they have before, allowing the team’s run offense and run defense to improve. Mark Sanchez is still the limiting factor (against anyone except the Patriots’ horrific secondary), but this team is moving up despite the loss. I’m impressed.

Studs

QB Mark Sanchez: 28 of 41 for 328 yards, 1 touchdowns, and 1 interception, 4 drops, 1 hit as thrown, 100.6 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 10 of 45 drop backs (3 sacks, 4 of 7, 1 hit as thrown)

LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 10 yards and a touchdown on 4 attempts

C Nick Mangold: Did not allow a pressure on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 41 yards on 15 attempts

WR Jeremy Kerley: Caught 7 passes for 120 yards on 11 attempts on 45 pass snaps, 1.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

TE Dustin Keller: Caught 7 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts on 46 pass snaps, 3.9 YAC per catch

CB Antonio Cromartie: Allowed 1 catch for 16 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 solo tackle, 2 assists

Duds

RT Austin Howard: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 5 quarterback hurries on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 2 attempts

RB Shonn Greene: Caught 6 passes for 34 yards on 8 attempts, 1 drop, rushed for 54 yards (28 after contact) and a touchdown on 16 attempts

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Buffalo Bills: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 24 (-4)

Record: 3-4

I thoroughly enjoyed last week’s Bills/Titans game between the two worst defenses in the league. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Hasselbeck looked like franchise quarterbacks. Chris Johnson looked like it was 2009. I thought the Bills lost the game in the first half when they settled for a field goal instead of going for a field goal and then they eventually lost because Ryan Fitzpatrick decided to throw an interception when all they had to do was run the clock out with CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson, who the Titans couldn’t stop all game.

Studs

RB CJ Spiller: Rushed for 70 yards (27 after contact) on 12 attempts, 3 broken tackles, caught 6 passes for 32 yards on 6 attempts

RB Fred Jackson: Rushed for 71 yards (45 after contact) on 9 attempts, 4 broken tackles, caught 8 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts, 1 drop

LG Andy Levitre: Did not allow a pressure on 39 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 64 yards on 7 attempts

CB Stephon Gilmore: Allowed 1 catch for 9 yards on 3 attempts, 3 solo tackles

DT Kyle Williams: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 missed tackle

WR Brad Smith: 2 kickoff returns for 109 yards and a touchdown, 1 catch for 5 yards on 1 attempt on 4 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch

Duds

RT Erik Pears: 4 quarterback hits on 39 pass rush snaps, 2 penalties

LT Chris Hairston: 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 4 quarterback hurries on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 12 yards on 2 attempts

CB Justin Rogers: Allowed 7 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown on 8 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

LE Mario Williams: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

DT Marcell Dareus: Did not record a pressure on 31 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 stop

MLB Kelvin Sheppard: 1 solo tackle, 3 assists, 1 stop, allowed 1 catch for 3 yards on 1 attempt

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers

Last week: 25 (-1)

Record: 2-4

So apparently you can shove a receiver out of bounds and that’s not PI, but if he comes back in bounds and catching a game tying touchdown, that’s a penalty. I picked the Buccaneers last week, so obviously I was pissed about that. That and Vincent Jackson going for 96 yards, not scoring a touchdown, and then Greg Schiano running up the middle on 4 straight plays with a 250 pound back and not getting any points. Between the Jim Harbaugh safety decline, the Lions’ backdoor cover, and the Cowboys front door cover, I was not happy about last week, my first losing week since week 3. Yeah, I know. Wah. Wah.

Studs

RB Doug Martin: Rushed for 85 yards (79 after contact) and a touchdown on 16 attempts, 9 missed tackles, caught 3 passes for 37 yards on 3 attempts

LT Donald Penn: Did not allow a pressure on 50 pass block snaps, run blocked for -1 yard on 1 attempt

LG Carl Nicks: Did not allow a pressure on 50 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 4 attempt

C Jeremy Zuttah: Did not allow a pressure on 49 pass block snaps, run blocked for 50 yards on 7 attempts

WR Vincent Jackson: Caught 7 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts on 48 pass snaps, 14.8 YAC per catch

LOLB Lavonte David: 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 4 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on 6 attempts, 1 pass deflection

FS Ronde Barber: Allowed 1 catch for 7 yards on 2 attempts, 1 interception, 5 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 missed tackle

Duds

CB Eric Wright: Allowed 7 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

CB Brandon McDonald: Allowed 5 catches for 79 yards on 5 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 2 missed tackles

LE Michael Bennett: Did not record a pressure on 33 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

RE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim: 1 quarterback hurry on 31 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops

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Detroit Lions: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#26)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Lions

Last week: 26 (-4)

Record: 2-4

The Bengals are the favorite to be this year’s team to goes from out of the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer, but the Lions are right there in the loaded NFC at 2-4. The issue is that both yards per play and rate of sustaining drives say they’re a better team than their record. Yards per play has them at 4th, while rate of sustaining drives has them at 16th. However, special teams has been a major issue and that’s something that neither of those statistics takes into account and the real troubling thing is the play of their offense.

Their defense, 16th against the run and 11th against the pass, hasn’t been bad, but Stafford and the offense have been a mess and that’s why they are where they are. If their defense can’t continue to play at this improved level and Stafford and company can’t bounce back, that’s a real issue and I think that’s more likely than the opposite (Stafford and company bounce back and the defense continues to be solid.

Studs

LG Rob Sims: Did not allow a pressure on 52 pass block snaps, run blocked for 1 yard on 2 attempts

CB Chris Houston: Allowed 3 catches for 25 yards on 9 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 4 stops

LOLB DeAndre Levy: 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, allowed 2 catches for 0 yards on 3 attempts

SS Louis Delmas: Was not thrown on, 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 3 blitzes

Duds

RG Stephen Peterman: Allowed 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries on 52 pass block snaps, run blocked for 28 yards on 3 attempts

WR Calvin Johnson: Caught 3 passes for 34 yards on 12 attempts on 52 pass snaps, 3.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

TE Brandon Pettigrew: Caught 5 passes for 37 yards on 6 attempts on 34 pass snaps, 2.2 YAC per catch

RB Stefan Logan: 6 punt returns for 7 yards, 2 kickoff returns for 44 yards, 2 fumbles

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Cincinnati Bengals: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#27)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Bengals

Last week: 23 (-4)

Record: 3-4

Before the season, I picked the Bengals to be this year’s team to go from in the playoffs to 5 wins or fewer because I thought they were the weakest of the 12 playoff teams last year, coming in tied for the fewest wins with 9 and having not beaten a single playoff team all year, including the playoffs, when they were one and done. With the Bengals starting 3-1 and the Saints getting off to a horrible start, I moved the Bengals up slightly and the Saints into this spot, but after 3 straight losses by the Bengals, it’s time to put them back here.

They’ve lost to Pittsburgh (3-3), Baltimore (5-2), Cleveland (1-6), and Miami (3-3) and won against Jacksonville (1-5), Washington (3-4) and Cleveland (1-6). They most likely still have not beaten a playoff team in the Andy Dalton era and look at their schedule the rest of the way: vs. Denver, vs. New York Giants, @ Kansas City, vs. Oakland, @ San Diego, vs. Dallas, @ Philadelphia, @ Pittsburgh, vs. Baltimore. Considering their struggles against quality opponents, they could go 2-7 the rest of the way. It’s not out of the realm of possibility. I compared them to the 2011 Buccaneers in my season preview and that kind of finish could happen for them.

Studs

LG Clint Boling: Did not allow a pressure on 28 pass block snaps, rushed for 7 yards on 1 attempt

RG Kevin Zeitler: Did not allow a pressure on 28 pass block snaps, rushed for 7 yards on 3 attempts

RT Andre Smith: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 28 pass block snaps, rushed for 17 yards and a touchdown on 3 attempts

RE Michael Johnson: 1 sack and 3 quarterback hurries on 34 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 3 assists, 3 stops

P Kevin Huber: 6 punts for 311 yards, 2 inside 20, 3 returns for 10 yards, 46.8 net yards per punt

Duds

QB Andy Dalton: 14 of 28 for 105 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, 2 batted passes, 2 throw aways, 3 drops, 69.8 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 6 of 28 drop backs (0 sacks, 2 of 6, 2 throw aways)

TE Jermaine Gresham: Caught 3 passes for 19 yards on 5 attempts on 20 pass snaps, 5.7 YAC per catch, 1 drop

WR AJ Green: Caught 1 pass for 8 yards and a touchdown on 5 attempts on 28 pass snaps, 0.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

DT Domata Peko: Did not record a pressure on 26 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle

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Carolina Panthers: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#28)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Panthers

Last week: 27 (-1)

Record: 1-5

After last week’s loss to the Cowboys, which dropped them to 1-5 on the season, Cam Newton said in a post game interview “something’s gotta change.” Well, maybe this will appease him. GM Marty Hurney was fired Monday Morning. For Hurney, it was about 2 years too late. At the very least, he should have been fired after their 2-14 season in 2010, along with John Fox. Since then, the only good move he made was drafting Cam Newton.

Everything else, from the rest of their 2011 draft to overpaying players such that they were a 6-10 team over the cap coming out of last season, has been a failure. Unfortunately for Panthers fans, it’ll be a year or two for the new front office to clean up this mess because they won’t have much cap space this offseason. Fortunately, they should have another top-5 pick.

As for this season, it appears to be a lost cause after coming into the season with so much hope. Not only are they 1-5 in the tougher conference (they’re the only 1 loss team in the NFC), but they’ve lost Ryan Kalil, Chris Gamble, and likely Jon Beason for the season. Kalil is not their best offensive lineman because of left tackle Jordan Gross, but he’s one of the top-3 centers in the league. Gamble is not only their best defensive back, but their only good one. Beason, meanwhile, isn’t the player he was two years ago, but his loss still hurts. His loss means up and down rookie Luke Kuechly will have to play an every down role, while Thomas Davis, an injury prone linebacker who had torn his ACL 3 times as a pro, will have to step into the starting lineup and see more snaps than maybe his knees can handle.

With Hurney being fired, there has been some talk that the coaches, including Head Coach Ron Rivera, should go along with him. I agree and disagree. I believe defensive coordinator Sean McDermott should be fired and I don’t even know if I’d wait for the end of the season. He’s a terrible defensive coordinator and that dates back to his days in Philadelphia. As for the Head Coach and the rest of the coaching staff, I say keep them in place. The last thing Cam Newton needs right now is an unnecessary coaching change and I don’t think the change would be necessary yet. Just ask Alex Smith how much he wishes he had some consistency as a young quarterback.

Speaking of Cam Newton, he made headlines this week for something he didn’t even do as mentor Warren Moon called criticism of Newton “racial.” If I were Newton, I’d tell Moon to shut up immediately. All he’s doing is damaging his credibility. Do I think Newton is being overly criticized? Yes, he’s a young quarterback who is just having a sophomore slump and I still don’t have much doubt that he’ll be a franchise quarterback long term. I also think he was overrated after last season and has too much pressure on him.

That being said, he’s a quarterback and a high profile athlete. Quarterbacks are overly criticized in general. It’s nothing specific to him. Look at Philip Rivers, Tony Romo, Jay Cutler etc. Those guys are all above average quarterbacks who have had people question whether they should even be starting in this league at times after bad games. There’s nothing racial about the criticism of Cam Newton. In fact, he brings some of it on himself by doing all these commercials, which is why he’s so high profile, and then not backing it up on the field. That’s why he gets the criticism, while someone like Matt Stafford, having an equally disappointing year, doesn’t get it as much.

I really hope Newton isn’t listening to Moon and making excuses for himself like that. The only way he’s going to meet his potential is if he takes responsibility and blaming criticism on race is not doing that. Plus, it’s 2012. No one cares Cam Newton is black. Warren Moon is the only one bringing it up. It’s like Morgan Freeman says. The way to end racism is to stop talking about race. End rant.

Studs

ROLB James Anderson: 11 solo tackles, 1 assist, 7 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 penalty, allowed 4 catches for 25 yards on 5 attempts

Duds

RG Byron Bell: Allowed 3 quarterback hits and 1 quarterback hurry on 43 pass block snaps

DT Dwan Edwards: Did not record a pressure on 24 pass rush snaps, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Cleveland Browns: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (#29)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, Browns

Last week: 31 (+2)

Record: 1-6

Despite their loss, the Browns move up. Last week, I mentioned I consdered putting the Browns ahead of the rest of the 1 win teams and some of the 2 win teams because they’ve been competitive in every game despite their record (worst in the league at 1-6). This week, I just moved them up out of the bottom 3. One 1 win team is still above them (Carolina at 28), but they’re better than the 3 teams below them, all of whom have been blown out on several occasions. The Browns have only lost one game by more than 10, none by more than 14, and in that 14 point loss, they still lead right before halftime.

Studs

LG John Greco: Didn’t allow a pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

C Alex Mack: Didn’t allow a pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 26 yards on 5 attempts

SS TJ Ward: Allowed 1 catch for 9 yards on 3 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 6 solo tackles, 4 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 1 blitz

LE Jabaal Sheard: 1 quarterback hit and 4 quarterback hurries on 29 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

RT Mitchell Schwartz: Allowed 3 quarterback hit and 5 quarterback hurries on 43 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 1 yard on 2 attempts

DT Billy Winn: Did not record a pressure on 30 pass rush snaps, no tackles, 1 penalty

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