Of Note (Week 7, 2012)

Every Tuesday, we’ll recap the previous week with a few things of note. Sometimes the obvious is the most interesting, while we’ll try and mix in a surprise or two along the way…

Last week, we touched on the problems the Ravens were having stopping the run this season. On Sunday, in the franchise’s first-ever loss to the Texans, Baltimore gave up 181yards on the ground, meaning John Harbaugh’s club has now surrendered exactly 1,000 yards rushing (142.9 YPG) in its first 7 outings this season. To put that in some sort of historical perspective, it’s worth noting that the legendary 2000 Ravens’ defense, which paved the way to a win in Super Bowl XXXV, allowed a mere 970 yards on the ground in 16 regular-season games…

Somehow it was fitting that the Titans edged the Bills, 35-34, on Sunday afternoon at Orchard Park. That’s because not 2 teams in the league have given up more points than these 2 clubs, both whom now boast 3-4 records. To put what they’ve “not done” in perspective, Tennessee has allowed an NFL-high 238 points and Buffalo is right behind them in allowing 227. Last season, the Steelers (227) and 49ers (229) finished 1-2 in the league in fewest points surrendered for the season…

Those worried about Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers slow start this season are hardly concerned anymore. After throwing just 3 touchdown passes compared to 2 interceptions during the team’s 1-2 start, the 2011 league MVP has thrown for at least 3 scores in each of his last 4 outings and over that span, has served up an astounding 16 scores while being picked off just twice. In his last 22 regular-season games dating back to ’11, Rodgers has thrown an incredible 64 touchdown passes compared to only 10 interceptions…

Birds of a feather may want to block together. A little play on words regarding a lot of sacks (35) allowed by the Arizona Cardinals this season. And that figure looks even worse when you consider 29 of those have come in the last 4 weeks vs. the Dolphins (8), Rams (9), Bills (5) and Vikings (7). Of course, this issue is nothing new for Ken Whisenhunt’s team, which allowed a combined 104 sacks in their previous 2 seasons (2010-11). And if that 3-digit number looks familiar, that’s because it’s the single-season mark for sacks allowed, set by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1986. So it’s 35 and counting, Cards…

Four more and who knows how many more to come. That was the number of Lions’ turnovers on Monday night at Soldier Field as Detroit fell to the Bears, 13-7. That means Chicago’s league-leading takeaway total now stands at 21, which is 3 more than the number of total touchdowns the Bears have scored in 6 games to date this season. And even more impressive is the fact that Lovie Smith’s team forced only 31 turnovers in 16 games a year ago…