Give Me the Numbers, STAT! -- Redskins League Rankings

As promised last week, we will bring you an updated ranking chart that shows where the Redskins stack up against the rest of the NFL after each game played.

Like many of you, I feel like two games in is still too soon to make any sweeping judgements of this team. We have faced at least one elite team (Texans), and perhaps one above average team (we'll see about the Cowgirls). But there are still some alarming numbers here and we would not be doing our job if we didn't at least underline them a little.

Each stat has a corresponding NFL ranking next to it. The rankings and stats are all cumulative, as opposed to how we stack up in any given week. So Week 2 stats are through two weeks of the season. Any change in league ranking from one week to the next (or from the beginning of the season to the end) will have many possible explanations--some obvious and some not so obvious. I added passing and rushing stats to both the defense and the offense.

I invite you all to join in the analysis.

Sure we have only played two games, but being last in something is just unacceptable. I knew our running game was bad, but dead last? Wow. And our 3rd down conversion percentage has been consistent through two weeks...to the tune of 31st in the league. Here's a bright spot: our points per game stat starts with a 2! Barely out of the teens, we are at least scoring points (as of this past game). It is also hard to ignore our passing attack. This just in: Donovan McNabb is a legit passer. We need to beef up the running game to help him out.

Our Time of Possession also ticked up after this week, which is a good direction for that sta to move in, even if we got helped a little with the OT possession! After the Rams game this week, what I would like to see is a healthy improvement in our rushing yards per game and a huge uptick in our 3rd down conversion percentage. Against a weak team like the Rams, we should be able to use this chart to pinpoint at least some of the effect of not having a Trent Williams on the field (if he doesn't go).

Here is something we are not used to seeing: LAST PLACE in total yards per game. That is not cool. Clearly, the passing yards per game stat is killing us, and that is attributable to the quality of quarterbacks we have faced thus far. I am loving our rushing defense right now. I said it last week that we were not going to let Arian Foster run on us the way he ran on Indy. Then again, I think they got everything they needed out of their running game on Sunday (damn).

Another bright spot for this defense so far is our sack total. With 6 sacks in two contests (and 5 against Houston), we are in the top 5 in the league. I love that. The Cowgirl offensive line was woeful though, and the Texans kind of left Schaub exposed at times, so we will see what we can do against a better front as the season wears on.

Our middle of the pack 3rd down stopping percentage is okay, though I think that is something we have to be in the top 10 for us to be successful this season.

Here's hoping that the tilt against the Rams will help us start building some positive momentum.