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2019 NFL power rankings, Week 3: 49ers roll, Texans survive

By Russell S. Baxter

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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A few teams were able to rebound after shaky starts in Week 1. So how did that affect the latest edition of the NFL Power Rankings?

. 0-2. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 32. team. 59

Recap: Off a 49-point thrashing at the hands of the Ravens, Brian Flores’ team was back at home for the second straight week and took on the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots, an organization that he’s more than familiar with. And it’s worth noting that the Dolphins had knocked off the Patriots each of the past two seasons at Miami.

But it’s impossible to win when you don’t score, rack up only 184 total yards and your quarterbacks serve up four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns. The Dolphins had the football for a total of 23:30 and Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen were sacked a combined seven times. The club has allowed 102 points in two games.

Next Week: Following a pair of divisional showdowns vs. the Giants and Redskins, the Cowboys are back at home for the second time in three weeks and host the Dolphins. Dallas has prevailed in three straight meetings with Miami, the latest a 24-12 win at South Florida in 2015. Including Super Bowl VI, the clubs have split 14 encounters.

Playoff hopes: This offseason, the Dolphins made a concerted effort to rid themselves of numerous players while acquiring future draft choices. This is a franchise that has been to the playoffs just twice since 2002. Too often the club has gone for temporary fixes and poor drafting hasn’t helped. But Flores and Grier have a long range plan.

team. 31. . 0-2. Previous: . New York Giants. 31

Recap: The Giants’ defense took its lumps last week at Dallas and looked to rebound at home against the Buffalo Bills. But seven days after surrendering 494 total yards in a 35-17 loss to the Cowboys, James Bettcher’s unit allowed 260 total yards to Josh Allen and company as Pat Shurmur’s squad was down 21-7 after 30 minutes of play.

When it was all said and done, Big Blue was bludgeoned for 388 total yards, including 151 yards on the ground. Eli Manning threw for 250 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown but was also picked off twice and missed on 19 of his 45 attempts. Second-year running back Saquon Barkley totaled 135 yards from scrimmage in the loss.

Next Week: Big Blue head to Raymond James Stadium for the second time in three years as the Giants and Buccaneers square off for the third straight season. A year ago in Week 11 at MetLife Stadium, New York outlasted Tampa Bay, 38-35. But in their last road tilt in this setting, the Giants came up short, 25-23, in 2017.

Playoff hopes: Since winning Super Bowl in 2011, this franchise has made one playoff appearance (’16) and owns a combined 47-67 win-loss record over their last seven-plus seasons. And since 2017, Big Blue is a dismal 2-11 vs. NFC East rivals. It’s difficult to move up in a division when you don’t fare well against the other three teams.

Next: Nos. 30 and 29

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