Over the last few years, PFF provided a series of articles called “32 Observations,” where we highlighted one interesting statistic or piece of information for each of the 32 teams. This year, we’re stepping things up a notch by adding power rankings. Instead of putting the teams in order by division, they will be in order of how good we believe the team is now. There will still be one interesting piece of information per team, as usual, to go along with the rankings.
1. Denver Broncos
OLB DeMarcus Ware led all players in pass-rushing productivity at 35.4, while teammate Von Miller’s 18.8 pass-rushing productivity was third best among 3-4 outside linebackers.
2. Green Bay Packers
Rookie nickel cornerback Damarious Randall was the player targeted the most among those who haven’t allowed a catch. (Five times with no catches allowed.)
3. New England Patriots
After dropping 11 passes over the course of his last 11 games, receiver Julian Edelman caught 11 passes without a single drop.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Among the top five defensive tackles in pass-rushing productivity are DTs Brandon Mebane and Jordan Hill. They had one sack and three hurries each, and both rushed the passer 17 times.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Only 11 offensive tackles held their opposition without a single pressure; the Colts have two of them in Jack Mewhort and Anthony Castonzo.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
Wide receiver Jordan Matthews had 102 yards on ten catches when he lined up in the slot. Only one other receiver topped 50 yards.
7. Dallas Cowboys
Rookie DE Randy Gregory was one of just two 4-3 defensive ends with a pass-rushing productivity above 20 (21.4), thanks to his one hit and three hurries on 14 pass rushes.
8. Miami Dolphins
When Redskins QB Kirk Cousins was throwing to the receiver Dolphins CB Brent Grimes was covering, Cousins had a passer rating of 0. Grimes allowed just one of four passes thrown his way to be caught for 4 yards, and also nabbed an interception.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
HB Giovani Bernard has an elusive rating of 276.9, which leads the league. He had 6 yards after contact per attempt, as well as six players missing tackles on him.
10. New York Giants
Center Weston Richburg had a run-block grade of +2.7. That was third best for all centers, and better than any single game he played at guard as a rookie last year.
11. Baltimore Ravens
DT Brandon Williams had five run-stops (leading all defensive/nose tackles), and his run-stop percentage of 25 was also the best at the position.
12. New York Jets
Calvin Pryor led all safeties in stops at five. No other safety had more than three.
13. Kansas City Chiefs
On 20 snaps against the run, ILB Derrick Johnson managed five run-stops. His run-stop percentage of 25 led all inside linebackers.
14. San Diego Chargers
There is a tie for the leader in yards after the catch: Chargers wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Keenan Allen at 80.
15. Buffalo Bills
OLB Nigel Bradham had a run-stop percentage of 26.7. No other 4-3 outside linebacker was higher than 20 percent.
16. Atlanta Falcons
QB Matt Ryan had a perfect 158.3 passer rating when throwing to Julio Jones. Jones caught nine of 11 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns.
17. St. Louis Rams
Stedman Bailey had 5.27 yards per route run, second-most among wide receivers.
18. Detroit Lions
New defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker led all defensive/nose tackles in total pressures with seven.
19. Arizona Cardinals
The only defensive back that had above a +1.0 grade in run defense, pass rush, and coverage was Tyrann Mathieu.
20. New Orleans Saints
Among running backs with 14 or more routes run, the Saints had the second and third best running backs in yards per route run. Khiry Robinson was second at 3.64; Mark Ingram was third at 3.16.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
No quarterback had more completions or yards on deep passes than Ben Roethlisberger, with four completions on eight attempts for 139 yards.
22. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are one of four teams to have two wide receivers among the top 20 in yards per route run. Ted Ginn is 15th at 2.25, while Jerricho Cotchery is 18th at 2.14.
23. Tennessee Titans
QB Marcus Mariota had the second-highest accuracy percentage for quarterbacks at 87.5.
24. Houston Texans
Jadeveon Clowney had a run stop percentage of 30.0, the best for all 3-4 outside linebackers.
25. San Francisco 49ers
Halfback Carlos Hyde had 86 yards after contact, the most for any running back.
26. Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had an average time to throw of 3.33 seconds, which led the league. This is nearly a half second more than his average time to throw last year.
27. Chicago Bears
Of the seven rookie defensive tackles who had at least ten or more run defense snaps, Eddie Goldman had the best run stop percentage at 18.2, more than double everyone except Indianapolis' David Parry.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins had 3.55 yards per route run, second-best among tight ends.
29. Cleveland Browns
Cornerback K’Waun Williams had 17 snaps in the slot, surrendering one touchdown.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
Thanks to his five stops and two passes defended, linebacker Paul Posluszny had his highest PFF grade since mid 2012.
31. Washington Redskins
Even though Washington worked on improving their interior line this offseason, returning linemen Jason Hatcher and Chris Baker were among the top five 3-4 defensive ends in pass rushing productivity. Hatcher had one sack and three hurries, getting him to a pass-rushing productivity of 12.5, while Baker had one sack and one hit, putting him at 10.9.
32. Oakland Raiders
Quarterback Matthew McGloin had an average time to throw of 1.97 seconds, tied for the lowest with Patriots' QB Tom Brady.