The Atlanta Falcons are 8-0 and the only undefeated team in the NFL heading into Week 10. But in KP’s first calculation of NFL Power Rankings, it’s the Houston Texans that sit in first place. Many may disagree and if one were to comb through the numerous power ranking discussions out there, it would be near unanimous that prognosticators will have copped out and designated the top spot to the league’s only unblemished team.
And that’s what makes this set of power rankings stand out from the rest, as it takes into consideration a number of different statistical categories and not just a team’s record and divisional standing.
In my first calculated NFL Power Rankings at The Wife Hates Sports, it’s the Houston Texans that are in first place, followed by the Chicago Bears. The undefeated Falcons currently sit in third place. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots round out the top five.
Here’s where each team sits in the rankings after Week 9, featuring a few key stats, thoughts and figures for each of the 32 squads in the NFL.
Arian Foster and the Houston Texans top KP’s NFL Power Rankings after Week 9
KP’s NFL Power Rankings: November 7, 2012
*Stats, records and information through Week 9 of the 2012 NFL season
1. Houston Texans (220 points)
The Texans are currently the most balanced team in the NFL and also rank in the league’s top five in both run and pass defense. Houston also owns the NFL’s second highest point differential (+100).
2. Chicago Bears (192 points)
The Bears are both strong and vulnerable in the trenches, managing 25 sacks on the season, which is good for thirst most in the league, while also allowing the 3rd most sacks, with 28.
3. Atlanta Falcons (185 points)
The Falcons are undefeated at 8-0, but have had to squeak by in a few games, plus fall into the league’s bottom ten in both rushing offense and run defense.
4. San Francisco 49ers (184 points)
The San Francisco defense is currently ranked 2nd versus the pass (184.0 ypg) and 5th against the run (87.4 ypg). The Niners also own the league’s top rushing offense (168.6 ypg).
5. New England Patriots (162 points)
The acquisition of CB Aqib Talib (from Tampa Bay) should help a New England pass defense that is currently ranked 28th in yards allowed (281.1 per game).
6. Denver Broncos (143 points)
Peyton Manning (20 TD, 6 INT, 2,404 passing yards, 108.6 QB rating) is putting up MVP-like numbers for the Broncos this season.
7. New York Giants (136 points)
The Giants have allowed 9 sacks on the year, the fewest in the NFL, and the only team still in single digits for that category.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (121 points)
The Pittsburgh pass defense has allowed the fewest yards per game in the league (174.0).
9. Green Bay Packers (119 points)
The Packers have 29 sacks on the season, which is the most in the NFL. On the other side of the football, Green Bay has allowed 29 sacks, second most in the league.
10. Baltimore Ravens (106 points)
The Ravens are vulnerable against the run this season, allowing nine touchdowns and 139.5 yards per game (28th in the NFL).
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (98 points)
The Bucs currently have the NFL’s top run defense (77.2 ypg allowed), coupled with the league’s worst pass defense (321.1 ypg allowed).
12. Seattle Seahawks (86 points)
The Seahawks continue to be a home team only, posting a 4-0 record at CenturyLink Field, while going 1-4 on the road this season.
13. Detroit Lions (86 points)
Calvin Johnson has been a major Fantasy disappointment with just one touchdown, but the star receiver has still managed 48 receptions and 767 yards in the Detroit’s first eight games.
14. San Diego Chargers (82 points)
The Chargers are an inconsistent bunch as usual, and the current strength statistically has been the team’s ability to limit opponents in the run game (84.0 ypg, 4th in NFL).
15. Minnesota Vikings (74 points)
For those that thought Adrian Peterson would have a tough time recovering from a knee injury, the Vikings star back leads the NFL in rushing yards, with 957.
16. Miami Dolphins (73 points)
The surprising Dolphins have excelled in defending the run, allowing just 83.9 yards per game on the ground, good for third best in the NFL.
17. Indianapolis Colts (71 points)
Andrew Luck set a rookie record last week with 433 passing yards. In his first year, Luck has 2,404 passing yards (matching Peyton Manning), while tossing 10 TD and 8 INT after 8 games.
18. Dallas Cowboys (47 points)
Tony Romo is throwing so many picks, he might as well point out the receiver he’s throwing to
Tony Romo and the Cowboys join three other teams (Browns, Chiefs and Panthers) as the only to have more interceptions than touchdown passes.
19. Washington Redskins (32 points)
After two sub-par offensive weeks, the Redskins’ run offense dropped from the top spot in yards per game, yet has managed 12 TD’s, which is tied for the most in the NFL.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (31 points)
Philadelphia’s offensive line woes, red zone inefficiency and horrific turnover differential have certainly turned Andy Reid’s seat from hot to scolding in recent weeks.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (31 points)
Cincinnati’s run game has been its biggest disappointment. BenJarvus Green-Ellis has managed just 478 rushing yards and 3 TD’s on the season.
22. Arizona Cardinals (25 points)
The Cardinals have allowed 41 sacks this season, which is twelve more than any other team. On the flip side, Arizona’s 27 sacks are the second most in the NFL.
23. New York Jets (24 points)
For those that once feared a Rex Ryan defense, it’s important to note that the Jets have only 12 sacks on the year, which are the fourth fewest in the NFL to date.
24. Carolina Panthers (20 points)
Sophomore slump alert: Cam Newton has 6 TD, 8 INT, 1,902 passing yards and a 77.7 QB rating in eight games for the Panthers this season.
25. New Orleans Saints (13 points)
The New Orleans defense struggled again last week, allowing 400+ yards to the Eagles. But the team’s seven sacks, coupled with Philadelphia’s inefficiency in the red zone showed some life for the Saints.
26. St. Louis Rams (11 points)
The Rams had shown improvement under Jeff Fisher, up ‘til its Week 8 dismantling at the hands of the Patriots. This week’s trip to San Francisco won’t be any easier.
27. Oakland Raiders (2 points)
Darren McFadden, Oakland’s most consistent and potent offensive weapon, suffered an injury last week and could miss a few games.
28. Buffalo Bills (-8 points)
Surprisingly, the Bills have allowed just 11 sacks this season, which are the fourth fewest in the NFL.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (-33 points)
Kansas City has posted an abysmal -107 points differential, which is the second worst in the NFL. The lone bright spot in KC has been the run game, which is ranked third in the league.
30. Cleveland Browns (-33 points)
Rookie Brandon Weeden has been the leading passer in five of Cleveland’s nine games. Only opposing QB’s Vick, Flacco, Dalton and Rivers have outgained him.
31. Tennessee Titans (-58 points)
The Titans have lost by 20 or more times five times this season, so it’s easy to see why ownership is hopping mad at the team’s overall performance.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (-80 points)
The Jags fall into the NFL’s bottom ten in every statistical category that was calculated in these rankings, which is why it’s no surprise that Jacksonville currently sits in the cellar.
* 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.
