2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

St. Louis Rams: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

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Last week: 21 (-1)

Record: 3-5

I have a lot to write about the Patriots in their section, so I’m going to use this section to talk about the NFL in London. I just don’t think it’s a very good idea. It’s fine having one or two games per year there, but every time we have one, there’s talk about moving a team there and it would make no sense geographically. It’s just too rigorous for the players to travel all the way there and play jet lagged and vice versa for the London team to travel back to the states to play any road games. Plus, with this new stupid Thursday Night schedule, if we had a team in London that teams we’d have, at least once per year, a jet lagged team playing on short rest. Roger Goodell might not see a problem with that, but I do.

Studs

QB Sam Bradford: 22 of 30 for 205 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 hit as thrown, 2 drops, pressured on 12 of 33 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 9, 1 interception, 1 throw away, 1 drop, 1 hit as thrown)

RG Harvey Dahl: Did not allow a pressure on 38 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 1 attempt

Duds

SS Quentin Mikell: Allowed 5 catches for 83 yards on 6 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

MLB James Laurinaitis: 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 11 blitzes, allowed 1 catch for 25 yards on 2 attempts

DT Michael Brockers: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

LE Chris Long: 1 quarterback hurry on 37 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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New Orleans Saints: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Saints

Last week: 19 (-3)

Record: 2-5

I guess beating the Broncos is a lot harder than beating the Chargers and Buccaneers for a still overrated Saints team (heavy public action on New Orleans +6 last week). The rank 31st in the league in yards per play differential and 27th in rate of sustaining drives differential, mostly because of a defense that allows the most yards per play in the league and the 2nd highest rate of sustaining drives in the league. This week, they host Philadelphia in a game that’s going to tell us a lot about both teams as they are both at a crossroads in their respective seasons.

Studs

LT Jermon Bushrod: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 45 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 8 yards in 4 attempts

LG Jahri Evans: Didn’t allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps

C Brian La Puente: Didn’t allow a pressure on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 15 yards on 3 attempts

P Thomas Morestead: 8 punts for 413 yards, 4 inside 20, 4 returns for 43 yards, 46.3 net yards per punt, 2 kickoffs, 1 touchback, 72.5 yards per kickoff, 13.5 opponent’s average starting distance

Duds

WR Devery Henderson: Did not catch a pass on 3 attempts on 38 pass snaps, 1 drop

WR Lance Moore: Caught 3 passes for 25 yards on 6 attempts on 32 pass snaps, 1.3 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Patrick Robinson: Allowed 5 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 1 pass deflection, 1 penalty, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles

FS Malcolm Jenkins: 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 2 missed tackles, 1 penalty, allowed 4 catches for 49 yards on 4 attempts

RE Will Smith: Did not record a pressure on 28 pass rush snaps, 4 solo tackles, 2 stops

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Arizona Cardinals: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Cardinals

Last week: 23 (-2)

Record: 4-4

I wish Dennis Green was still the Cardinals’ coach. Then he could shout “we are who they thought we were!” I never believed in them. They’ve never been ranked higher than 15th in these Power Rankings, even when they were 4-0. This is what I said about the Cardinals after their 3-0 start. “Almost every year, there’s a team that gets off to a good start and then fades away and misses the playoffs and makes their believers look dumb (“This Ryan Fitzpatrick is the real deal.” “Rex Grossman is a legitimate franchise quarterback.”).

Winning 3 in a row at any point in a season isn’t that impressive, but when teams do it to start the season, it’s much more noticeable and you get idiots like Michael Silver putting them first in his Power Rankings (Really? Kevin Kolb is going to win the Super Bowl?). This is essentially the same team that finished last year 8-8 and I expect them to finish somewhere around there this year. Bettors should ride the correction.” They haven’t covered since and have lost 4 straight.

Now with Kolb out, John Skelton is actually a downgrade, believe it or not, despite their records last season. Skelton was 6-2 in the 8 games he played the majority of the snaps, while Kolb was 2-6, but Skelton had the luxury of playing most of his games supported by better defensive play. In Skelton’s 8 games, the Cardinals allowed 19.0 points per game and in Kolb’s they allowed 24.5. Skelton was actually the inferior of the two quarterbacks last season. He led 100 drives last season and the Cardinals scored 16 touchdowns and 11 field goals (129 points, 1.29 points per drive) on those 100 drives. Kolb led 91 drives, leading to 20 touchdowns and 6 field goals (138 points, 1.52 points per drive).

Kolb also outplayed him statistically. He completed 146 of 253 (57.7%) for 1955 yards (7.7 YPA), 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Skelton completed just 151 for 275 (54.9%) for 1913 yards (7.0 YPA), 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. This year, Skelton is completing 57.9% of his passes for 5.9 YPA, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions, while Kolb is completing 59.6% of his passes for an average of 6.4 YPA, 8 touchdowns, 3 interceptions. Until Kolb returns, this team is really going to struggle. Meanwhile, the offensive line is one of the worst I’ve ever seen and it might be the worst ever. They’re on pace to allow 89 sacks, which would shatter the NFL record of 76 set by the Texans in 2002.

Studs

C Lyle Sendlein: Did not allow a pressure on 60 pass block snaps, run blocked for 11 yards on 2 attempts

MLB Daryl Washington: 2 sacks on 7 blitzes, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 stops, was not thrown on

RE Calais Campbell: 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 24 pass rush snaps, 5 solo tackles, 6 stops

Duds

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling: Rushed for 6 yards (9 after contact) on 8 carries, caught 3 passes for 32 yards on 4 attempts, allowed 1 sack and 1 quarterback hurry on 11 pass block snaps

LG Daryn Colledge: Allowed 1 quarterback hits and 3 quarterback hurries on 60 pass block snaps, 1 penalty

LT D’Anthony Baptiste: Allowed 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 60 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt

WR Larry Fitzgerald: Caught 5 passes for 52 yards on 11 attempts on 59 pass snaps, 4.6 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to, 1 penalty

CB William Gay: Allowed 4 catches for 57 yards on 4 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle, 1 penalty

CB Patrick Peterson: Allowed 5 catches for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 2 stops, 2 missed tackles

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New York Jets: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Jets

Last week: 24 (-1)

Record: 3-5

I have no idea why they haven’t benched Mark Sanchez for Tim Tebow yet. Mark Sanchez is completing 53% of his passes. Only Brandon Weeden has a worse adjusted QB rating. The team is 3-5. They brought Tebow in to be an alternative for Sanchez if he struggled right? Well he’s struggling right now. What was the point of bringing him in if you’re not going to turn to him if the incumbent struggles? It couldn’t have been just to be a special teams decoy…right? Even if you don’t think Tebow can play quarterback, you have to agree with that. He did make a mistake by going to the Jets instead of the Jaguars. He’d be starting in Jacksonville right now.

Studs

RG Brandon Moore: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 62 pass block snaps, run blocked for 20 yards on 4 attempts

LG Matt Slauson: Did not allow pressure on 43 pass block snaps, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 carries

WR Clyde Gates: Caught 7 passes for 82 yards on 10 attempts on 31 pass snaps, 1.1 YAC per catch

CB Antonio Cromartie: Allowed 2 catches for 2 yards on 2 attempts, 1 penalty, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop

Duds

WR Jeremy Kerley: Caught 5 passes for 43 yards on 10 attempts on 56 pass snaps, 5.4 YAC per catch, 1 drop

WR Stephen Hill: Caught 2 passes for 29 yards on 7 attempts on 55 pass snaps, 4.0 YAC per catch, 1 drop

CB Kyle Wilson: Allowed 2 catches for 48 yards on 3 attempts, 2 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

LE Mike DeVito: Did not record a pressure on 16 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

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Tennessee Titans: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Titans

Last week: 25 (-3)

Record: 3-5

The Titans were overrated going into their overtime loss to the Colts last week. Despite their 3-4 record, they had the league’s worst points differential, winning 3 games by a combined 7 points and losing 4 by a combined 96 points. That’s continued into this week as they are now a league worst -95. They also rank 28th in yards per play differential and 31st in rate of sustaining drives differential. Their defense has been particularly bad. They’re one of 2 teams with an opponent’s rate of sustaining drives higher than 80% as they sit at 84.4%, meaning on any given set of downs, they allow a first down or a score 84.4% of the time. The Saints are next worst at 82.9%.

Studs

QB Matt Hasselbeck: 22 of 29 for 236 yards and a touchdown, 1 throw away, 3 drops, 115.8 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 8 of 32 drop backs (2 sacks, 1 scramble, 4 of 5, 1 throw away)

LT Mike Otto: Did not allow a pressure on 36 pass rush snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 7 yards on 3 attempts

LG Steve Hutchinson: Did not allow a pressure on 36 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 20 yards on 2 attempts

C Fernando Velasco: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 36 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 35 yards on 8 attempts

RT David Stewart: Allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 35 pass rush snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 2 attempts

CB Alterraun Verner: Allowed 7 catches for 39 yards on 7 attempts, 7 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops

CB Jason McCourty: Allowed 2 catches for 24 yards on 5 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop

ROLB Akeem Ayers: 4 solo tackles, 3 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 penalty, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 9 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, was not thrown on

FS Michael Griffin: 6 solo tackles, 2 assist, 1 missed tackle, did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, 1 interception

LE Derrick Morgan: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 7 quarterback hurries on 39 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, 1 stop

RE Kamerion Wimbley: 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits, and 6 quarterback hurries on 38 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops

Duds

CB Ryan Mouton: Allowed 7 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts, 5 solo tackles, 1 stop

DT Jurrell Casey: Did not record a pressure on 32 pass rush snaps, no tackles

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Cleveland Browns: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#28)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Browns

Last week: 29 (+1)

Record: 2-6

The Browns remain better than their record. At 2-6, they rank 25th in the league in yards per play differential and 28th in rate of sustaining drives differential. They’ve only lost one game by more than a touchdown and that was against the Giants in New York in a game that was a lot closer than the final score suggested. The Browns were leading 14-0 early and held the lead right into before halftime.

They’re also getting healthier as Phil Taylor and Ahytba Rubin return this week, while their pass defense has been better now that Joe Haden has returned from suspension. They’re not going to the playoffs or anything and they’ll probably still have a huge draft pick, but they’re not an easy win, as the Chargers will tell you. As I’ve said before, comparing them to teams that were winless late into last season, they’re closer to the Dolphins (who finished 6-3 after starting 0-7) than the Colts or Rams, who both finished with a league worst 2-14 record.

Studs

RB Trent Richardson: Rushed for 122 yards (68 after contact) and a touchdown on 24 attempts, 7 broken tackles, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 3 pass block snaps, caught 1 pass for 12 yards on 1 attempt

LT Joe Thomas: Did not allow a pressure on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for 6 yards on 3 attempts

RG Shawn Lauvao: Did not allow a pressure on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for 3 yards on 2 attempts

C Alex Mack: Did not allow a pressure on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for 27 yards on 7 attempts

RT Mitchell Schwartz: Did not allow a pressure on 30 pass block snaps, run blocked for 16 yards on 5 attempts

SS TJ Ward: Did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, 3 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 3 blitzes

FS Usama Young: Did not allow a completion on 2 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 5 solo tackles, 2 assists,

ROLB James-Michael Johnson: 7 solo tackles, 6 stops, 1 quarterback hurry on 4 blitzes, was not thrown on

Duds

QB Brandon Weeden: 11 of 27 for 129 yards, 4 throw aways, 4 batted passes, 4 drops, 69.8 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 8 of 30 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 of 6, 3 throw aways)

MLB D’Qwell Jackson: 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 missed tackle, allowed 5 catches for 60 yards on 6 attempts

DT John Hughes: 1 quarterback hurry on 24 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackle, 1 assist

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Oakland Raiders: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#29)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Raiders

Last week: 29 (+2)

Record: 3-4

After unimpressive wins over the crappy Jaguars and Chiefs, the Raiders are now 3-4 and somehow right in the thick of the playoff race. However, I’m still not sold on this team just because they beat some crappy teams. They schedule gets tougher going forward as they host Tampa Bay, go to Baltimore, host New Orleans, go to Cincinnati, host Cleveland, host Denver, host Kansas City, go to Carolina, and go to San Diego. I don’t think they’ll win very many games.

Studs

LG Cooper Carlisle: Did not allow a pressure on 29 pass block snaps, run blocked for 8 yards on 3 attempts

ROLB Phillip Wheeler: 11 solo tackles, 1 assist, 6 stops, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 3 quarterback hurries on 9 blitzes, allowed 7 catches for 66 yards on 7 attempts

LOLB Miles Burris: 6 solo tackles, 1 assist, 5 stops, 1 missed tackle, 1 quarterback hurry on 8 blitzes, allowed 4 catches for 25 yards on 4 attempts

SS Tyvon Branch: Allowed 1 catch for 1 yard on 2 attempts, 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 stops, 1 quarterback hit on 6 blitzes

FS Matt Giordano: Did not allow a completion on 1 attempt, 1 interception, 1 solo tackle, 1 assist

DT Tommy Kelly: 2 quarterback hits and 4 quarterback hurries on 32 pass rush snaps, no tackles

K Sebastian Janikowski: 7 kickoffs, 5 touchbacks, 70.9 yards per kickoff, 18.9 opponent’s average starting distance, 4/4 FG (29, 32, 35, 36)

Duds

None.

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Carolina Panthers: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (#30)

stevenlourie 2012 NFL Power Rankings, 2012 Week 9 NFL Power Rankings, Panthers

Last week: 28 (-2)

Record: 1-6

Cam Newton is now 1-10 in his career in games decided by a touchdown or less and 6-17 overall. Typically, records in touchdown games even out over time. Teams that win a game by a touchdown or less win their following game 52% of the time if that game is also decided by a touchdown or less. However, it’s very troubling that Newton has started his career this way.

Typically, franchise quarterbacks are the exception to that rule and have a better than average record in games decided by touchdown or left. Cam Newton isn’t close to that at this point in his career. He’s still got plenty of upside, but it’s become increasingly obvious that we anointed him too fast. Unfortunately for him, because of that, he’s being viewed as a major disappointment this year, when really he’s just going through growing pains. I still have confidence in him long term.

Studs

WR Steve Smith: Caught 7 passes for 118 yards on 15 attempts on 46 snaps, 1.2 YAC per catch, 1 drop, 1 interception when thrown to

LE Charles Johnson: 2 sacks and 6 quarterback hurries on 33 pass rush snaps, 1 assist, 2 stops

MLB Luke Kuechly: 11 solo tackles, 6 stops, allowed 2 catches for 16 yards on 2 attempts

RE Greg Hardy: 3 sacks and 2 quarterback hurries, 2 solo tackles, 5 stops

RE Frank Alexander: 4 quarterback hurries on 26 pass rush snaps, 1 batted pass, 3 solo tackles, 3 stops

Duds

QB Cam Newton: 20 of 39 for 314 yards and 2 interceptions, 1 drop, 1 throw away, 3 batted passes, 63.0 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 15 of 43 drop backs (2 sacks, 2 scrambles, 5 of 11, 1 throw away, 1 interception), rushed for 37 yards on 5 carries, 1 fumble

RT Byron Bell: Allowed 5 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 3 attempts

LG Amini Silatolu: Allowed 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit, and 2 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, run blocked for 31 yards on 5 attempts

C Geoff Hangartner: Allowed 2 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 26 yards on 13 attempts

RG Jeff Byers: Allowed 3 quarterback hurries on 47 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 6 yards on 2 attempts

TE Greg Olsen: Caught 3 passes for 23 yards on 5 attempts on 38 pass snaps, 2.0 YAC per catch, 1 interception when thrown to, allowed 1 quarterback hurry on 9 pass block snaps

CB Josh Norman: Allowed 8 catches for 84 yards on 11 attempts, 1 interception, 4 solo tackles, 1 missed tackle

DT Nate Chandler: Didn’t record a pressure on 11 pass rush snaps, no tackles

ROLB James Anderson: 2 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 stop, 1 missed tackle

P Brian Nortman: 3 punts for 77 yards, 2 returns for 11 yards, 22.0 net yards per punt

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