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

Recap: For the second straight week, the Packers faced a divisional foe. Only this game was at Lambeau Field and it is also worth noting that Matt LaFleur’s club had a little extra time to prepare for the Vikings. The first two times Green Bay’s offense had the ball, it added up to 143 total yards and a pair of Aaron Rodgers’ touchdown passes. Matt LaFleur’s club would force a turnover and eventually up their lead to 21-0. But by the third quarter, Minnesota had cut the lead to five points and threatened to take the lead numerous times. But the club’s new-look defense did come up with four takeaways. And the team’s ability to steadily run the football was a major factor.

Next Week: Memories of Super Bowl XXXII. But be it Milwaukee (1-0-1) or Lambeau Field (4-0), the Packers have never lost to the Denver Broncos in Wisconsin dating back to the teams’ first meeting in 1971. In fact, Green Bay has won four straight home games vs. the Men from Mile High dating back to 1993 — by a combined 151-59 score.

Playoff hopes: Off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the pre-Brett Favre days (1990 and ’91), the Pack is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2015. Green Bay’s two wins have also come within the division, where the team was 1-4-1 a year ago vs. NFC North rivals. And LaFleur’s team plays four of its next five at home.

Recap: The Seahawks hit the road and faced an AFC North foe for the second consecutive Sunday as they took the field in Pittsburgh. Pete Carroll’s club had some early issues protecting Russell Wilson but eventually the Seattle offense settled in and displayed a balanced attack.

The league’s top rushing attack in 2018 made a statement as Chris Carson (61) and Rashaad Penny (62), who teamed for 123 of the team’s 152 yards on the ground. Russell Wilson overcame three early sacks and would throw for exactly 300 yards and three scores without a pick. The team’s offensive balance was impressive as the ‘Hawks controlled the football for 35:46 in the narrow victory.

Next Week: It’s a battle of 2018 playoff teams as the Seahawks host the Saints for the first time since 2013. That year, Carroll’s team managed a pair of wins over New Orleans, including a 23-15 triumph in the NFC Divisional playoffs. Including the postseason, this will mark just the sixth meeting between the franchises since 2010.

Playoff hopes: What a difference a year makes. Last season, Carroll’s club stumbled out of the gates and dropped its first two games before finishing with a 10-6 record and securing a Wild Card berth. Now the Seahawks have won two games by a total of three points and are 2-0 for the first time since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2013.

Next: Nos. 8 and 7