2019 NFL power rankings; Patriots back on top…again

Preview: A year ago, for the second time in four seasons, Pete Carroll’s club overcame a 0-2 start to reach the playoffs. The team was more geared towards offense and led by the top ground game in the league. Improved run blocking actually made life easier for quarterback Russell Wilson, who threw for 35 scores (7 interceptions). The defense had and still has some question marks and wound up dealing defensive end Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Seahawks recently dealt for Jadeveon Clowney, signed former Lions’ sack artist Ziggy Ansah and used their first two selections in April on defense in end L.J. Collier, DE (1-TCU) and safety Marquise Blair (2-Utah).

Next Week: For the first time since 2011, the Seahawks host the Bengals. The teams don’t battle as often as they used to when both resided in the AFC. This marks just the fifth meeting since 2003, with the Bengals winning three of the last four clashes. Carroll’s squad fell, 34-12, in ’11 in Cincinnati’s last appearance in the Pacific Northwest.

Playoff hopes: John Schneider and the front office continues to excel. Just when it looked like they were headed into April’s draft with four selections, they worked the process and wound up with 11 picks. Now the club adds the talented Clowney. There’s a reason this club has made six playoff appearances the last seven years.

Preview: A year ago, the eventual NFC West champions won their first eight games and finished with 13 victories. The Rams scored the second-most points in the league but also surrendered 24 points per contest. That’s because the Los Angeles’ defense struggled with consistency throughout most of the year. Gone are Ndamukong Suh, Mark Barron and Lamarcus Joyner and enter Clay Matthews and Eric Weddle. Versatile running back Todd Gurley’s health is certainly an issue and quarterback Jared Goff struggled late in the season and was spotty in the playoffs. But there’s still a ton of talent heret, especially on offense, and a healthy Cooper Kupp would be a huge plus.

Next Week: Sean McVay begins his third season in Los Angeles with a trip to Carolina. It’s the Rams’ first meeting with the Panthers since 2016 and the club’s first road tilt in this series since 2013. And the Rams have dropped two straight and six of the last seven meetings dating back to the teams’ double-overtime playoff clash in 2003.

Playoff hopes: After hitting the skids for more than a decade, the Rams have now won consecutive NFC West titles and it would be a big surprise if they weren’t a playoff team in 2019. There are some question marks on defense these days and Phillips’ unit must elevate its play. And McVay’s club has the Seattle Seahawks right on its heels.

Next: Nos. 8 and 7