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

Recap: A week ago, both the Chargers and Lions saw their openers go into overtime. Now Anthony Lynn’s club was in the Motor City looking for a second straight win. Four days before the game, the Bolts learned that they would be without tight end Hunter Henry. And while quarterback Philip Rivers and the offense managed to amass 424 total yards, an end zone interception by the veteran signal-caller with 1:03 doomed the club.

But there were plenty of other miscues by the Chargers as running back Austin Ekeler lost a fumble. And although kicker Ty Long hit on a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter, he later hit the upright from the same distance and missed from 41 yards.

Next Week: The Bolts play host to the Houston Texans for the first time since 2013, when the franchise was still in San Diego. The Chargers have won five of the previous six meetings between the clubs in a short-lived series that dates back to 2002. As for the teams’ most recent meeting, the Chargers came up with a 21-13 win at Houston in 2016.

Playoff hopes: It’s been an interesting two weeks for the Bolts, who are missing their share of people. And on Sunday, it seemed to catch up with the club; they added up plenty of yards but also left a lot of points on the field. Things won’t get any easier against J.J. Watt and the Houston defense. But this well-coached club continues to battle.

Recap: Sean Payton’s club look to avenge last year’s bitter overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game. Only the venue for this contest would be the Los Angeles Coliseum and not the Superdome. It wound up not mattering in terms of the venue and the outcome was hardly the big story of the day as veteran quarterback Drew Brees missed the most of the game due to a thumb  injury suffered in the first quarter.

Enter Teddy Bridgewater, and the New Orleans’ offense finished with 244 total yards and never reached the end zone. The Los Angeles’ defense was able to focus on running back Alvin Kamara and he was shackled to the tune of 60 total yards on 14 touchdowns.

Next Week: When you think New Orleans at Seattle, that memorable touchdown by “Beast Mode” in the 2010 NFC Wild Card Playoffs is one of the game’s indelible images. As for more recent times, this marks the first meeting between the clubs since the Saints came up with a 25-20 victory at the Superdome three years ago.

Playoff hopes: Payton’s club got a leg up on the entire division from the get-go as the Saints were the only team in the NFC South to win in Week 1. But now the team waits to see what the story is with Brees and is it possible who could miss substantial time? It’s ridiculous to speculate and regardless, a clash with the Seahawks won’t be easy.

Next: Nos. 6 and 5