2013 NFL Power Rankings

Indianapolis Colts: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#8)

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Last week: 14 (+6)

Record: 4-1

Either the Colts are a legitimate Super Bowl contender this season or the Seahawks still struggle on the road like last season (when they lost in Miami, St. Louis, Arizona, and Detroit). I think it’s a little bit of both. The Colts are a completely different team from last year. They didn’t deserve to win 11 games last year, but I was dead wrong about their 2013 prospects. They’ve added talent this off-season and the coaching has actually been a lot better. Andrew Luck has been a much better fit for Pep Hamilton’s system than Bruce Arians’ and Chuck Pagano’s return has done great things for this defense.

Week 5 Studs

QB Andrew Luck

WR TY Hilton

LE Lawrence Guy

LE Cory Redding

ROLB Robert Mathis

Week 5 Duds

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey

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Detroit Lions: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#9)

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Last week: 8 (-1)

Record: 3-2

It’s amazing how powerless the Lions’ offense is without Calvin Johnson, but it’s understandable considering he’s the best receiver in the NFL and everyone else is a bunch of scrubs. Whether or not they can win in Cleveland this week probably depends on his availability. He’s one of the most valuable non-quarterbacks in the NFL, after guys like JJ Watt and Adrian Peterson.

Week 5 Studs

None

Week 5 Duds

LG Rob Sims

LE Willie Young

DT Nick Fairley

MLB Stephen Tulloch

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Dallas Cowboys: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#10)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Cowboys, Uncategorized

Last week: 10 (+0)

Record: 2-3

The Cowboys may be tied for the division lead, but they almost beat the Broncos and they are easily the best team in the division. With 5 games left against the worst division in football, starting with a home game against the Redskins this week, they could easily win 10 games. There will be a home playoff game in Dallas this year. The defense is not nearly as good as I thought it would be as the defensive scheme change really seems to have hurt promising youngsters like Bruce Carter and Morris Claiborne. However, their offense is one of the best in the NFL with Tony Romo throwing to a bunch of weapons and finally protected by a great offensive line. Doug Free has bounced back in a huge way and Brian Waters and Travis Frederick have been huge additions.

Week 5 Studs

QB Tony Romo

WR Terrance Williams

LT Tyron Smith

TE Jason Witten

Week 5 Duds

RE Kyle Wilbur

LOLB Ernie Sims

CB Orlando Scandrick

CB Brandon Carr

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Cincinnati Bengals: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#11)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Bengals, Uncategorized

Last week: 12 (+1)

In 2011 and 2012, the Bengals were 18-4 against non-playoff teams and 1-11 against playoff teams. This year, they’ve beaten the Packers and Patriots, who are probably playoff teams, but lost to the Browns. It’s very possible that they are just a better team this year, but they lost to the Browns because it was a “sandwich” game between the Packers game and Patriots game. We’ll see how they play this week in Buffalo, in what could also be a “trap game.”

Week 5 Studs

RT Andre Smith

Week 5 Duds

TE Jermaine Gresham

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Baltimore Ravens: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#12)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Ravens, Uncategorized

Last week: 13 (+1)

Record: 3-2

The Ravens may just be 3-2 right now, but they’ve faced a very tough schedule thus far, with their game against the Packers being their 4th game in 6 where they’ve been the underdog. If they can hold their ground at home (where they are 25-3 since 2010), they’d be 4-2 and 7 of their final 10 games they’ll probably be favorites in. This team is in very good position to make it back to the playoffs.

Week 5 Studs

RT Michael Oher

MLB Josh Bynes

Week 5 Duds

FB Vonta Leach

LT Bryant McKinnie

LG AQ Shipley

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Chicago Bears: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#13)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Bears, Uncategorized

Last week: 11 (-2)

Record: 3-2

The Bears’ defense is a huge concern for the first time in a long time. They are allowing opponents to move the chains on 76% of chances. Over 30 veterans like Charles Tillman, Julius Peppers, and Lance Briggs have disappointed and I think they generally miss Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli. The downgrade from those two to Mel Tucker as their primary defensive mind is immense. Henry Melton’s injury hasn’t helped and even his replacement, Nate Collins, has also torn his ACL.

Week 5 Studs

WR Alshon Jeffery

Week 5 Duds

LT Jermon Bushrod

ROLB James Anderson

SS Major Wright

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Houston Texans: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#14)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Texans, Uncategorized

Last week: 15 (+1)

Record: 2-3

Texans fans calling for Matt Schaub’s job are ridiculous. Who are you legitimately going to get, either this year or next year, that’s better than them? The same thing can be said about Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, and Tony Romo. Joe Flacco and Eli Manning would be in the same boat if they didn’t randomly have an uncharacteristically great stretch of football in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. Rivers, Cutler, Romo, and Schaub could all do the same.

Week 5 Studs

LT Duane Brown

LE JJ Watt

Week 5 Duds

QB Matt Schaub

RT Derek Newton

DT Earl Mitchell

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Tennessee Titans: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#15)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Titans, Uncategorized

Last week: 16 (+1)

Record: 3-2

The Titans’ game against the Chiefs this week was a matchup between the two teams who had benefitted the most from the turnover battle, as both were an AFC best +9 coming into the game. The Titans lost the game because they lost the turnover battle, but they could have easily won if they didn’t. First downs (20 to 19 Kansas City), yards (353 to 339 Kansas City), and punts (both at 6) were basically even and two of the Titans’ turnovers (a punt block and an interception off a receiver’s hands) were very fluky. This is still a solid team without Jake Locker because of their supporting cast, but Ryan Fitzpatrick under center for 6 or so weeks will hurt their ability to make the playoffs.

Week 5 Studs

LT Michael Roos

LG Andy Levitre

LE Derrick Morgan

SS Bernard Pollard

Week 5 Duds

C Robert Turner

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Miami Dolphins: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#16)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings, Dolphins, Uncategorized

Last week: 17 (+1)

Record: 3-2

Ryan Tannehill is on pace to be sacked 77 times this season, which would break the record of the 2002 expansion Houston Texans, who allowed David Carr to be sacked 76 times. He probably won’t reach that number, but their offensive line is still a massive concern. Part of it is Ryan Tannehill’s fault, as he’s taking a sack on 33.8% of pressured snaps, worst in the NFL. However, he’s only taking 2.28 seconds to attempt a pass, 2nd quickest in the NFL. Most of the problem is on the tackles, as Jonathan Martin and Tyson Clabo have each allowed 6 sacks. Those 12 sacks are half of the 24 sacks Tannehill has taken. Martin has been every bit as bad in pass protection as many expected him to be before the season, while Tyson Clabo has struggled mightily in Miami’s zone blocking scheme. Age might have caught up to him as well, in his age 32 season. Whatever the reason, it’s a huge problem, not just for their ability to move the ball downfield, but for Tannehill’s long-term development and his short-term health.

Week 5 Studs

QB Ryan Tannehill

LOLB Philip Wheeler

DT Jared Odrick

DT Paul Soliai

DT Randy Starks

Week 5 Duds

RG John Jerry

C Mike Pouncey

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Carolina Panthers: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#17)

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Last week: 9 (-8)

Record: 1-3

The Panthers had 8 of my top-200 players before the season and I stand by that, but their lack of depth has made my 12-4 prediction look foolish for this team. Outside of those 8 (Cam Newton, Steve Smith, Greg Olsen, Ryan Kalil, Jordan Gross, Greg Hardy, Charles Johnson, Luke Kuechly) no one on their roster is reliable and they are terribly coached. They’re still better than their record. Their defense is very strong and they are still outscoring opponents on the season. They are moving the chains on 77% of opportunities, while allowing opponents to do so on 72% of opportunities, the 7th best differential in the NFL.

Week 5 Studs

RE Greg Hardy

ROLB Thomas Davis

DT Kawaan Short

MLB Luke Kuechly

Week 5 Duds

None

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