2019 NFL power rankings, Week 2: Ravens roll, Eagles rally

There were some amazing comebacks on the opening Sunday of 2019 and the road teams certainly had their share of big moments.

Recap: The Brian Flores Era kicked off in South Florida with a visit from the reigning AFC North champion Ravens. The Dolphins had no answers for quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense as Miami fell behind 28-0 early in the second quarter and had already surrendered 296 total yards in the process. By afternoon’s end, Flores’ club was whacked for 59 points, 643 yards and eight offensive touchdowns. On the other hand, the Miami offense struggled big time as well as Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen each threw interceptions – part of the Dolphins’ three turnovers in the loss. The math added up to a team being outscored by 49 points and outgained by 443 yards.

Next Week: The Dolphins host the rival Patriots looking to knock off Bill Belichick’s team for the third straight year at Miami. Of course, Flores knows a thing or two about the reigning Super Bowl champs after spending 11 seasons in Foxborough. Despite two consecutive home wins in this series, the Dolphins are 5-13 vs. the Pats since 2000.

Playoff hopes: The ease of which the Ravens moved the football against Miami’s defense had to be particularly alarming. The Dolphins obviously have an eye towards the future but the team was non-competitive in Flores’ debut. It’s just one game but there were some disturbing signs, especially in terms of the team’s secondary.

Recap: The Jaguars kicked off 2019 with Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles behind center and would take on the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid, who certainly knows a thing or two about the well-traveled signal-caller. But the former Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff hero would suffer a shoulder injury in the first quarter and later, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Foles had broken his clavicle. Enter rookie Gardner Minshew, who wound up throwing for 275 yards and two scores (1 interception). But the Jacksonville defense couldn’t slow down Patrick Mahomes and an attack that rolled up 491 total yards. And the Jaguars failed to come up with sack or a takeaway.

Next Week: Marrone’s squad heads to Houston looking to avenge last season’s sweep at the hands of the reigning AFC South champions. One season after taking a pair from the Texans by a combined 74-14 count, the Jaguars were stifled by Bill O’Brien’s squad twice in 2018 – a 20-7 loss at home followed by a 20-3 setback at Houston.

Playoff hopes: Admittedly, losing Foles for the vast majority of the game hurt. But the Jaguars struggled to stop the Chiefs’ offense most of the game and the team lost its composure on a few occasions on Sunday. Of course, now Marrone and company await news on the health of their quarterback. A rough Week 1, to say the least.

Next: Nos. 30 and 29