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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)

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

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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New York Jets: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

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

Last week: 26 (+8)

Record: 3-2

I know it doesn’t fit the narrative, but the Jets aren’t bad. I don’t think they are a playoff team, but this start isn’t a fluke. They can be a .500 team this year. They certainly have the defense, allowing opponents to move the chains on 68% of opportunities, one of the best rates in the NFL. They aren’t moving the ball well offensively (67%) because of the inconsistencies of rookie Geno Smith, but there’s no question he’s been brilliant at times this year, though he has throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.

Week 5 Studs

LE Muhammad Wilkerson

DT Damon Harrison

ROLB Garrett McIntyre

Week 5 Duds

ROLB Quinton Coples

MLB David Harris

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Atlanta Falcons: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

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

Last week: 18 (-1)

Record: 1-4

I had the Falcons at 8 wins before the season, but the sheer amount of injuries they’ve suffered have made even that really optimistic. Kroy Biermann and Julio Jones are out for the season. Sean Weatherspoon is out for most of the season. Steven Jackson is still out, while Roddy White’s injuries have gotten worse as a hamstring injury has been added to his ankle injury, which has him out indefinitely. It probably won’t happen, but they should trade Tony Gonzalez, save some money and get a pick for a guy who is retiring after the season anyway. Plus, they would get themselves some good karma and send him somewhere where he can actually win a Super Bowl like New England or Kansas City.

Week 5 Studs

LG Justin Blalock

TE Tony Gonzalez

Week 5 Duds

LOLB Joplo Bartu

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Arizona Cardinals: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

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

Last week: 20 (+0)

Record: 3-2

The Cardinals are 3-2 right now. That isn’t a huge shock. They had an over/under for their win total of 5.5 and teams with totals under 6 hit the over about 2/3rds of the time (Oakland and Jacksonville also had totals under 6 this year). A lot of times, bad teams are better than people think and I think the Cardinals have proved that. That being said, I haven’t been that impressed with them and I don’t think they are a legitimate playoff contender.

Week 5 Studs

RE Calais Campbell

MLB Daryl Washington

Week 5 Duds

TE Rob Housler

ROLB John Abraham

MLB Karlos Dansby

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Cleveland Browns: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

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

Last week: 24 (+2)

Record: 3-2

Poor Browns. I really feel bad for them. They had a good quarterback for 3 games. But the dream is over. It’s time to wake up. Brandon Weeden is your quarterback again. Brian Hoyer won’t be back until 2014 at the earlier. They’d be a lot higher on here if it wasn’t for the Hoyer injury, but I don’t see any way that Weeden, as good as he looked in a half against a banged up Buffalo secondary, gets this team into the playoffs, even with a solid supporting cast.

Week 5 Studs

QB Brandon Weeden

RE Desmond Bryant

Week 5 Duds

RG Shawn Lauvao

TE Gary Barnidge

MLB D’Qwell Jackson

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San Diego Chargers: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

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

Last week: 19 (-4)

Record: 2-3

Philip Rivers threw 3 interceptions against the Raiders in a loss, but it was inevitable that he’d starting throwing interceptions at a higher rate, after throwing just 2 in his first 4 games. However, he’s still been very impressive, completing 73.7% of his passes for an average of 8.5 YPA, 13 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, as the offense moves the chains on a very impressive 81% of opportunities. He’s doing that without much of a supporting cast. However, the defense is pathetic, allowing opponents to move the chains on 82% of opportunities. They were even worse against the Raiders with Dwight Freeney now out for the season. They made Terrelle Pryor look like John Elway.

Week 5 Studs

WR Vincent Brown

RT DJ Fluker

Week 5 Duds

LE Kendall Reyes

DT Cam Thomas

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Philadelphia Eagles: 2013 Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

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

Last week: 23 (-1)

Record: 2-3

The Eagles blew out the Giants in New York this week, but that’s not really that impressive. Even after facing the Giants’ pathetic offense, they have allowed 133 first downs to 18 punts forced and they are allowing opponents to move the chains on 82% of opportunities, tied for worst in the NFL. Offensively, Michael Vick is out for at least a week (this is my shocked face), but the Eagles’ offense shouldn’t be worse without him. They’ll definitely look different, but Chip Kelly can run his offense with a bunch of different types of quarterbacks. Like he was doing with Vick, he’ll make Foles look better than he is.

Week 5 Studs

RB LeSean McCoy

Week 5 Duds

C Jason Kelce

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