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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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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 12: Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) tries to get a hold of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (25) for the tackle during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2019 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte,NC. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 12: Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) tries to get a hold of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (25) for the tackle during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2019 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte,NC. (Photo by Dannie Walls/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 24. team. 48. . 1-1

Recap: Both the Buccaneers and Panthers were looking to avoid 0-2 starts as the teams squared off Thursday night at Carolina. Quarterback Jameis Winston had a forgettable season debut, serving up three interceptions — including a pair of pick-sixes in the home loss to the 49ers. But he and the club made amends after a shaky start, some of that due to a first-quarter weather delay.

Tampa’s much-maligned signal-caller finished with 208 yards through the air but more importantly he and the team did not turn over the football. More significantly was Todd Bowles’ defense, which limited Cam Newton and Carolina to 14 points while not surrendering a touchdown.

Next Week: The Bucs come off a Thursday night trip to Carolina and will extra time to prepare for Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants. Last season, the club came up short at MetLife Stadium, 38-35, in Week 11. Dating back to 2006 and including a playoff meeting in ‘07, the Buccaneers are 1-6 in their last seven meeting in this series.

Playoff hopes: After a sloppy performance at home against the Niners, the Buccaneers rebounded smartly and played efficient and patient football in getting a road win within the division. This is a team not lacking in talent. And you have to be impressed with what Bowles has done with the defense so far. How far can it take the club?

23. team. 53. . 0-1. Previous: . Cleveland Browns

Recap: Forgettable would be the best way to describe the team’s first effort under Freddie Kitchens (the Browns’ 11th different head coach since 1999). The 30-point setback to the Tennessee Titans featured three fourth-quarter interceptions by quarterback Baker Mayfield, the final of those picks returned for a touchdown. There were 18 penalties for 182 yards while the team’s second-year hurler was sacked five times, one of those for a safety. And a Cleveland team that finished second in the NFL a year ago with 31 takeaways failed to force a turnover last Sunday in the 43-13 loss. Off such a performance, the Browns can’t afford to take the shorthanded Jets lightly.

Next Week: Six days after their Monday night tilt with the Jets at MetLife Stadium, Kitchens’ squad returns home and is back in the spotlight as the defending NFC champion Rams arrive in Cleveland for a Sunday night contest. The teams’ last meeting took place in 2015, with the Browns coming up short in St. Louis by a 24-6 score.

Playoff hopes: While the team’s opening-weekend home loss to the Titans was certainly discouraging, a setback in the first game of the season hardly spells doom for any club. The Browns will need to play smarter football than they did against Tennessee if they are going to be successful and get to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Next: Nos. 22 and 21

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