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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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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch and is pushed out of bounds by Brandon Carr #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 15: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a catch and is pushed out of bounds by Brandon Carr #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 28. team. 32. . 0-1-1

Recap: It was a clash between two of the last three Heisman Trophy winners as Kyler Murray and the fit-to-be-tied Cardinals headed east to take on Lamar Jackson and the suddenly-explosive Baltimore Ravens. For the second time in as many games, the team was unable to reach the end zone in the first three quarters and trailed, 17-9, entering the final 15 minutes of the game. But down by six points late in the game, two Arizona possessions produced a grand total of one yard. And the Cardinals’ defense had no answers when it came to containing Lamar Jackson.

Next Week: The Cards return home for the second time in three weeks and take on a Carolina team that will have a little extra time on its hands to prepare. Arizona hosts this series for the first time since 2013 and hasn’t fared well in it as of late. Including playoffs, the Cardinals have dropped three straight in this series dating back to ‘14.

Playoff hopes: You have to crawl before you can walk. And considering the disastrous season the Cards suffered through in 2018, patience will have to be exercised when it comes to Kingsbury, Murray and the team in general. The club’s offensive issues early in games are something that need to be rectified. However, strides are being made.

Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 27. team. 56. . 0-2

Recap: Off a tough one-point loss in the Pacific Northwest, Zac Taylor made his home debut as the team’s head coach as the Bengals hosted the San Francisco 49ers. The league’s 32nd-ranked defense from a season ago didn’t give up a lot of real estate in the one-point loss at Seattle. But Cincinnati defenders surrendered 291 total yards in the first half as Taylor’s squad trailed 24-10 at halftime.

It only got worse after intermission as the Niners rolled up 41 points and a whopping 572 total yards. San Francisco totaled 259 yards on the ground while Cincinnati’s running attack was bottled up to the tune of 17 yards on 11 carries. And Andy Dalton was sacked four times.

Next Week: The Bengals hit the road for the second straight week and face their first conference opponent of the year as Taylor’s troops travel to Buffalo. After dropping 10 straight games in this series from 1989-2010, Cincinnati is 4-1 in the last five meetings dating back to 2011, their latest effort a 20-16 home victory two years ago.

Playoff hopes: After suffering a heartbreaking loss in Week 1 on the road, the Bengals returned home and never had the lead against the Niners. Taylor’s team was thoroughly dismantled and the defensive issues from a year ago reared their ugly helmets once again. Cincinnati has now lost its first two for the second time in three years.

Next: Nos. 26 and 25

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