The Atlanta Falcons are no longer undefeated after falling to the Saints in New Orleans last weekend. Meanwhile, the Texans beat the Bears in rain-soaked Chicago, while the 49ers and Rams played to a 24-24 tie, the first in the NFL since 2008. As a result, little changed at the top of KP’s latest edition of calculated NFL Power Rankings.
Last week, the Texans were already sitting in first place, despite Atlanta’s previously unblemished 8-0 record. Houston remains in that top spot, followed by the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers. Atlanta drops one spot to fourth place.
Here’s where each squad sits in the rankings after Week 10, featuring a few key stats, thoughts and figures for a dozen select teams in the NFL.
J.J. Watt has been a beast for the Houston Texans this season.
KP’s NFL Power Rankings: November 14, 2012
*Stats, records and information through Week 10 of the 2012 NFL season
1. Houston Texans (227 points)
Houston’s pass defense is ranked third in yards allowed (196.0 ypg), with 11 interceptions, while holding opposing QB’s to a 71.6 rating.
2. Chicago Bears (191 points)
Chicago’s 316.8 yards per game in offense ranks 28th in the NFL, but its +14 turnover differential is the best in the NFC.
3. San Francisco 49ers (179 points)
4. Atlanta Falcons (169 points)
5. New England Patriots (166 points)
6. Denver Broncos (162 points)
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (131 points)
8. Baltimore Ravens (126 points)
9. New York Giants (121 points)
10. Green Bay Packers (118 points)
Aaron Rodgers is once again putting up MVP-like numbers, throwing for nearly 2,400 yards, with 25 TD’s and just 5 INT’s. His QB rating is 107.4.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (106 points)
The Tampa Bay pass defense allows the most yards per game (321.3), but have held opponents to a 88.4 QB rating, while also managing 15 interceptions.
12. Seattle Seahawks (104 points)
13. Indianapolis Colts (92 points)
14. Minnesota Vikings (88 points)
The Minnesota run offense, led by Adrian Peterson, is ranked 3rd in the NFL, averaging 150.5 yards per game. More impressive, the Vikings lead the NFL in 20-plus-yard runs, with 17.
15. San Diego Chargers (78 points)
Ryan Mathews has failed to meet expectations in San Diego this season
Norv Turner is feeling the heat, and players like Ryan Mathews are not helping his job security. Mathews continues to underachieve, managing just 475 rushing yards and 1 TD this season.
16. Dallas Cowboys (62 points)
The Dallas pass defense has been suffocating, but also short on big plays. The group is 8th in passing yards allowed, holding opponents to just 9 TD’s on the year. In contrast, Dallas only has 4 picks.
17. Detroit Lions (62 points)
The Lions have seen a slight boost in its run game from Mikel Leshoure. Overall, Detroit is averaging just under 100 yards per game on the ground, but surprisingly have zero runs of 20 yards or more.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (47 points)
19. Miami Dolphins (42 points)
20. Washington Redskins (33 points)
21. Arizona Cardinals (26 points)
For the struggling Cardinals, it continues to be in the trenches. Arizona has allowed a league-most 41 sacks, while managing 27 sacks of their own.
22. New Orleans Saints (23 points)
The New Orleans defense has stepped up its game, making key plays in victories over the last two weeks. Still, opposing quarterbacks are posting a 104.4 QB rating against the Saints, which is the highest rating against any defense this season.
23. St. Louis Rams (21 points)
24. Philadelphia Eagles (21 points)
25. Carolina Panthers (-1 point)
26. New York Jets (-2 points)
27. Buffalo Bills (-17 points)
28. Tennessee Titans (-26 points)
Over his last five games, Chris Johnson has posted the following run totals: 91, 195, 99, 141 and 126 yards. The Titans are 3-2 during that stretch.
29. Oakland Raiders (-27 points)
The Raiders’ defense has allowed 97 points over its last two games and this weekend, face off against Drew Brees and the potent New Orleans Saints.
30. Cleveland Browns (-32 points)
31. Kansas City Chiefs (-44 points)
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (-97 points)
* All stats per NFL.com
The Wife Hates Sports NFL Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record. It mixes a secret formula of eight completely different categories, meshed into a points system. The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed on the road, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and defense, too.
C’mon, dude.
You know the Bucs aren’t televised locally.
They are playing solid football. The Bucs need to figure out that pass defense though. It was a tough loss against the Falcons today, though… guessing you watched that out and were frustrated by the outcome.
It’s an exciting time here in the Tampa Bay area.
Too bad they still don’t show the home games on TV.