The Quarterbacks Aren’t As Important As You Think
This is the time of the year when teams are sharpening their toolbox before attempting to make a Super Bowl run, yet, it’s hard not to ponder that New England’s devastating 34-33 loss last week won’t have a long lasting effect.
The Patriots defense, for what it’s worth, is not very good at all. They’ve taken a step back in 2018 from last year’s defense that allowed only 18.5 PPG, which would be ranked first in the NFL today.
The Patriots are 22nd overall in total defense (372.5), 12th in PPG (22.5), 15th in rushing yards allowed (113), and 29th in sacks (24).
The sacks department is most concerning considering how the team finished tied for seventh in sacks (42) last season and even that unit couldn’t lay a finger on Nick Foles in the Super Bowl.
New England’s secondary has looked good at times, but when the team uses it’s heavy nickel package they are vulnerable against the run. We saw that last Sunday in their unbelievable loss in Miami, as the Dolphins rushed for 189 rushing yards in the game.
The point I’m getting to here is this, Dont’a Hightower — a team captain and the mic linebacker — has regressed mightily in his return from a season lost due to injury, and it’s making the Patriots defense worse.
He’s a liability in pass coverage and questionable against the run because of his lack of speed. On one particular play last week he was faked out by Ryan Tannehill on a read option run that Tannehill went for 13 yards and a first drive.
New England entered 2018 as a heavy Super Bowl favorite, but with their defense getting torched by offenses like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins and Tom Brady regressing in terms of on-target throws to wide open receivers, it very well will be a quick postseason for the Patriots.
Losing in Pittsburgh this Sunday could all but confirm it.
Here we will be looking at each team’s championship quality (Spoiler: Not every team gets one here, duh!). The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL’s top offensive team, but that’s not particularly a quality that what will get them to a Super Bowl. What will?
Let’s get started.
1. New Orleans Saints (11-2)
New Orleans’ offensive line has helped the team be one of the best at protecting the football. The Saints have committed only 12 turnovers in 2018, with Drew Brees throwing only four interceptions in 13 games.
2. Los Angeles Rams (11-2)
The Rams have arguably the NFL’s top running back in Todd Gurley, which gives Los Angeles an advantage over most teams. Los Angeles likes to play with tempo, but don’t be surprised if January brings about changes.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-2)
Getting after the quarterback will always be a key ingredient, and while Patrick Mahomes is special, we saw him lose a game throwing six touchdowns. It’s Kansas City’s pass rush that will lead them to a Super Bowl. They are second in the NFL in sacks with 42.
4. Los Angeles Chargers (10-3)
A red-hot quarterback will always come in handy come playoff time and that’s what Philip Rivers is right now, just ask Aaron Rodgers from the 2010 season or Joe Flacco from the 2012 season.
5. Chicago Bears (9-4)
Defense wins championships, and the Chicago Bears certainly have everything checked off in that category regarding it. The Chicago Bears are third in yards allowed (309.9), third in points allowed (19.0), fourth in sacks (40), and first in takeaways (34)
6. New England Patriots (9-4)
Being balanced on offense in January is the name of the game, and New England’s fifth ranked offense is one of the most balanced in the NFL.
7. Houston Texans (9-4)
The Houston Texans nine-game winning streak ended last Sunday, but there’s a great chance they’ll win out with their remaining schedule, meaning they’d be going into the playoffs with 12 wins out of their past 13, and there’s no better indication of a Super Bowl contender than a hot one.
8. Dallas Cowboys (8-5)
The Dallas Cowboys have allowed the second fewest points in the NFL this season at 18.9 PPG. They have held seven of their 13 opponents this season under 20 points.
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
The No. 1 rushing team in pro football is the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle can go to their three-headed monster at running back to wear down opponents, and they’ve also got a quarterback who’s rushed for 849 yards in a season as well.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1)
The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush is ferocious, as they lead the NFL in sacks with 45 this season. That’s also led to teams converting only 36.8 percent of their third downs against them.
11. Baltimore Ravens (7-6)
Leaning on the run over the past four weeks has changed Baltimore’s season, and their league-leading 115 rushing first downs gives you a clear indication of what type of team they want to be come playoff time.
12. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
The Indianapolis Colts get it done on third down about as good as anyone offensively. They are second in the NFL in conversion rate at 47.2 percent.
13. Miami Dolphins (7-6)
Never underestimate the importance of a good punter. Matt Haack has been one of the best in the NFL this season, responsible for 31 punts inside the opponent’s 20 yard line, second best in the NFL.
14. Minnesota Vikings (6-6-1)
The Minnesota Vikings defense is nearly as stingy on third down as they were in 2017. They are allowing a league-low 29.7 percent of third downs converted against them.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
The Philadelphia Eagles have not been particularly great at any category, but they have been one of the least penalized teams in the NFL this season, tied for fifth in that category.
16. Tennessee Titans (7-6)
The Tennessee Titans are one of the best teams in the NFL at returning kicks, averaging an NFL-high 34.4 yards per game on kickoff returns.
17. Carolina Panthers (6-7)
The Carolina Panthers are second in the NFL in rushing, and lead the next team behind them by eight yards despite rushing the ball 72 times less than them. They lead the NFL with 5.4 yards per carry.
18. Denver Broncos (6-7)
The Denver Broncos have tried to be a balanced offensive team, but if this team makes a run, it’ll be due to their rushing attack. Denver is seventh in the NFL in rushing, averaging the second most yards per carry at 5.2.
19. Cleveland Browns (5-7-1)
The Cleveland Browns are second in the NFL in turnovers forced with 28 this season, recovering a league-high 13 fumbles this season.
20. Washington Redskins (6-7)
Washington’s injuries at quarterback as well as on the offensive line and defense, have turned what was once a contending 5-2 Washington Redskins team into a team that will be lucky to finish .500. Gruden may not survive yet another season like that. His seat is warm.
21. Green Bay Packers (5-7-1)
Green Bay doesn’t give their opponents extra possessions with turnovers as they are tied with New Orleans for the second fewest turnovers this season at 12.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are explosive offensive unit, as they are second in the NFL in total yards ( and first in the NFL in passing yards per game at 331.4.
23. Detroit Lions (5-8)
The Detroit Lions have a reliable leg in Matt Prater, who has made 24 of 25 field goals this season, including three from 50+ yards.
24. Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
Matt Ryan won’t be playing in the postseason this year, but if he was, he’d be one of the hotter quarterbacks in the playoffs. Ryan has thrown for 4,076 passing yards, 28 touchdowns to only six interceptions while completing 70.5 percent of his passes.
25. New York Giants (5-8)
There isn’t much of a championship quality for the New York Giants, but it’s hard not marvel at Saquon Barkley, who right now is on his way to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide.
26. Cincinnati Bengals (5-7)
Where’s Boomer Esiason when you need em?
27. Buffalo Bills (4-9)
The Buffalo Bills defense is ranked No. 1 in total defense, and it’s their work against the pass that’s a big reason why. The Bills are allowing an NFL-low 185.8 passing yards per game.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)
Despite not being anywhere close to the team they were last year, Jacksonville is still ranked sixth in the NFL in defense and are allowing only 203.7 passing yards per game, which is second in the NFL.
29. New York Jets (4-9)
The New York Jets defense has been great on third down, allowing only a 33.7 conversion rate, which is the second lowest in the NFL behind the Minnesota Vikings.
30. San Francisco 49ers (3-10)
Robbie Gould is one of the NFL’s best kickers ever, and he’s continuing that here in 2018. Gould has knocked threw 25 of 26 field goals this season, including two from 50+ yards.
31. Oakland Raiders (3-10)
They fired general manager Reggie McKenzie, so there’s a start.
32. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
The Arizona Cardinals front seven doesn’t make life easy on their opponents. The Cardinals have gotten to the quarterback 39 times this season, the seventh most in the NFL.
What are your thoughts on this week’s NFL power rankings? Leave your comments below!