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

Recap: Adam Gase’s first game as the head coach of the New York Jets somehow emulated his final season in Miami. A year ago, the Dolphins opened 3-0 and lost nine of their final 13 games. In Week 1 against the visiting Bills, the Green and White owned a 16-0 lead and couldn’t close the deal. Now the Jets will take the field on Monday night against the visiting Browns without starting signal-caller Sam Darnold (mononucleosis) and who knows when he will return.

The club will also be minus linebacker C.J. Mosley and rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Will Gase get big games from backup quarterback Trevor Siemian and running back Le’Veon Bell?

Next Week: Gase’s squad heads north with one less day to prepare for a team that has given the franchise fits for a long time. Dating back to 2003 and including two playoff meetings, the Jets own a 7-27 record vs. the Patriots. New York has dropped eight straight in Foxborough dating back to 2011, the last three by a combined 105-12 score.

Playoff hopes: A loss to Cleveland at MetLife Stadium would not only give Gase’s club a 0-2 record but both setbacks would be within the AFC, as well as at home. That’s a rough way for a team looking to get back to the postseason to open the year. New York enters Monday night 1-10 in its last 11 outings after the 3-3 start in 2018.

Recap: Make it two straight home games for Ron Rivera’s club as the Panthers played host to the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Weather was an early factor as the game was stopped with 8:31 remaining in the first quarter and perhaps that played a factor in the choppy performance for both clubs. After rolling up 209 total yards from scrimmage on 29 plays and scoring a pair of touchdowns in the three-point loss to the Rams, he was shackled to the tune of 53 yards on 18 touches. And late in the game, he was shoved out of bounds on a direct snap that ended a possible game-winning touchdown drive. Carolina settled for four field goals and a safety in the ugly loss.

Next Week: Rivera’s team heads to Arizona for the first time since 2013 as the Cardinals and Panthers clash for the fifth time in seven years. That includes two postseason matchups in 2014 and ‘15, both in Carolina and both won by the home team. Including playoffs, the Panthers have three straight meetings — by a combined 106-51 score.

Playoff hopes: Off to their first 0-2 start since 2013, the Panthers have dug themselves a little hole. The team has dropped a pair of home games, both within the conference. And that includes a divisional setback. The defense still has some question marks and Newton has yet to find his stride. Carolina is now 1-9 after last season’s 6-2 start.

Next: Nos. 24 and 23