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Philadelphia Eagles: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#18)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Eagles, Uncategorized

Chip Kelly’s offense looked very good in its first real test against Washington, but I’ll need to see it against a better defense. Washington might have the worst secondary in the NFL. I believe the offensive line can’t continue its dominance as long as it’s healthy and that both LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson can continue to be serious weapons in Chip Kelly’s offense, but I need to see Vick make harder difficulty throws. He was throwing to open guys all night. ProFootballFocus agrees, actually grading him below average as a passer for his game. I also have a lot of concerns about this defense and their ability to stop guys even when they can’t force turnovers. It’s a good start, but it’s important to not get ahead of ourselves.

Week 1 Studs

RB LeSean McCoy

RT Lane Johnson

LG Evan Mathis

C Jason Kelce

WR DeSean Jackson

CB Cary Williams

Week 1 Duds

MLB DeMeco Ryans

MLB Mychal Kendricks

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Tennessee Titans: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#19)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Titans, Uncategorized

In 2011, the Titans were 8th in the NFL in opponent’s scoring. In 2012, they were 32nd and I couldn’t exactly figure out why. They were one of the true wild cards of this season for me for that reason. They certainly looked closer to 2011 than 2012 in Pittsburgh, holding the Steelers to one late touchdown all game. If they can continue that, they’re going to be tough this season. They’re one of the true risers on this list.

Week 1 Studs

DT Jurrell Casey

Week 1 Duds

TE Delanie Walker

RT David Stewart

C Robert Turner

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Washington Redskins: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#20)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Commanders, Uncategorized

Robert Griffin threw 4 interceptions all last regular season. Now he has 4 interceptions in his last 2 games combined, including the playoff loss to Seattle. It’s worth noting that Tom Brady had one of the worst seasons of his career in the season after returning from his ACL tear and he had 4 months extra to recover and had no prior injury. He also wasn’t nearly as reliant on his legs as Griffin. Griffin wasn’t stepping into throws and took off running just 5 times. He’ll improve as the season goes on, but it’s very possible we don’t see 2012 RG3 until 2014.

Week 1 Studs

LT Trent Williams

Week 1 Duds

QB Robert Griffin

RB Alfred Morris

RE Stephen Bowen

MLB London Fletcher

FS EJ Biggers

SS Bacarri Rambo

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Miami Dolphins: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#21)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Dolphins, Uncategorized

I’m sticking with my prediction that Mike Wallace doesn’t last beyond 3 years of his monster 5-year, 60 million dollar deal with the Dolphins. Wallace held out long into Training Camp last off-season, putting himself above the team and was not the same all season. He caught just 55.2% of the passes thrown his way and averaged just 13.1 yards per catch. This off-season, he chased the cash and went to Miami and it’s predictable he could coast. He certainly did not look good in the Dolphins opener, catching just 1 pass for 15 yards. Yes, he was matched up with Joe Haden, but if you pay a receiver elite money, you expect him to be able to beat elite cornerbacks or at least hold his own. Fortunately for the Dolphins, Brian Hartline bailed out their passing game, but most teams don’t have as poor supporting defensive backs as the Browns.

Week 1 Studs

WR Brian Hartline

LE Cameron Wake

DT Paul Soliai

FS Reshad Jones

Week 1 Duds

RB Lamar Miller

RT Tyson Clabo

RE Olivier Vernon

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St. Louis Rams: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#22)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Rams, Uncategorized

As I said in the Cardinals’ write up, the Rams and Cardinals are more evenly matched than maybe any teams in the NFL and that if they were to play in Arizona, the Cardinals would win by a field goal. Sam Bradford looks much improved thanks to an improved receiving corps, led by Jared Cook, completing 27 of 38 yards for 299 yards, 2 touchdowns, and pick. However, their secondary remains very vulnerable. They might have the worst pair of starting safeties in the NFL and Cortland Finnegan continues to not be the player they thought they were signing last off-season, being torched to the tune of 6 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 7 attempts. They’ll have a hard time making the playoffs in the loaded NFC.

Week 1 Studs

LE Chris Long

RE Robert Quinn

LE William Hayes

DT Michael Brockers

Week 1 Duds

LG Chris Williams

RE Eugene Sims

MLB James Laurinaitis

CB Cortland Finnegan

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Arizona Cardinals: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#23)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Cardinals, Uncategorized

I predicted the Rams would beat the Cardinals by a field goal and that’s exactly what happened. Those two teams might be the most evenly matched in the NFL and I’m confident if they were to play again, this time in Arizona, Arizona would win by a field goal. I expect both teams to finish with the same record. The Cardinals’ passing offense looks infinitely improved over last season, with Carson Palmer throwing to 3 talented wide receivers, and they would be a playoff contender in the weaker AFC, but their inability to pass protect and run the football will hurt them in the loaded NFC.

Week 1 Studs

QB Carson Palmer

WR Larry Fitzgerald

WR Andre Roberts

RE Matt Shaughnessy

Week 2 Duds

LT Levi Brown

RT Eric Winston

RG Paul Fanaika

LE Darnell Dockett

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#24)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Buccaneers, Uncategorized

I said before the season that I didn’t think Josh Freeman would last the season in Tampa Bay. I’m even more confident in that now. This week, they took his captaincy away. That’s incredibly rare. I’ve never heard of that happening. Quarterbacks aren’t always a captain on a team, but once a player is captain, he usually stays captain as long as he’s with the team. On top of that, he struggled mightily against the Jets in an eventual loss, completing just 15 of 31 for 210 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He’ll have better games, but the Buccaneers coaching staff didn’t draft him and they just seem fed up with his inconsistency. Mike Glennon will see a few starts.

Week 1 Studs

LT Donald Penn

CB Darrelle Revis

Week 1 Duds

QB Josh Freeman

RB Doug Martin

LG Gabe Carimi

RG Davin Joseph

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Minnesota Vikings: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#25)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Uncategorized, Vikings

All of the sharps predicted an improvement from the Lions and a decline from the Vikings, to the point where the Lions were 5 point favorites week 1 and had a higher over/under win total. The Lions’ 10 point victory over the Vikings is making those sharps look pretty smart. The Vikings simply cannot rely on Adrian Peterson to rush for 2000 yards again. He looked great on his first carry from scrimmage week 1, taking it to the house for 78 yards, but he gained just 15 yards on his other 17 carries. 93 rushing yards total isn’t bad, but he surpassed that 10 times last season.

Week 1 Studs

WR Jerome Simpson

RE Jared Allen

LE Brian Robison

Week 1 Duds

QB Christian Ponder

LT Matt Kalil

RG Brandon Fusco

LOLB Chris Greenwood

MLB EJ Henderson

SS Jamarca Sanford

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Indianapolis Colts: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#26)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Colts, Uncategorized

I thought the Colts would be improved over last season (in talent, not record), but barely beating the Raiders, after winning 7 games by 7 points or less against 7 win or worse teams last season, doesn’t inspire any confidence. Andrew Luck looked good, completing 18 of 23 for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for another 39 and a score on 6 carries, and he could be on his way to a much improved 2nd season in the league, though it’s tough to tell against a defense like Oakland. However, both their defense and their offensive line looked just as bad as it was last season, despite all the money they spent. That’ll keep them from having a winning season if they don’t turn it around. They can’t continue to bank on Luck pulling wins out of his ass.

Week 1 Studs

QB Andrew Luck

LE Ricky Jean-Francois

SS La’Ron Landry

Week 1 Duds

LT Anthony Castonzo

LOLB Bjoern Werner

MLB Kelvin Sheppard

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Buffalo Bills: 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings (#27)

stevenlourie 2013 NFL Power Rankings, 2013 Week 2 NFL Power Rankings, Bills, Uncategorized

The Bills are one of several teams that blew leads against superior opponents this week and this one has to hurt the most, not just because it was the Patriots, but because they were the only team this week to win the turnover battle and lose the game. Winning the turnover battle is not something you can count on, especially for a team like the Bills, so you have to capitalize when it happens.

Week 1 Studs

None

Week 2 Duds

RB CJ Spiller

RG Colin Brown

DT Marcell Dareus

MLB Kiko Alonso

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