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

Recap: Frank Reich’s club looked to bounce back after a tough overtime road loss to the Chargers and hit the road for the second straight Sunday. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett had his issues despite throwing a pair of first-half touchdown passes. But it was the Indianapolis offensive line and ground game that proved to be the deciding factor as Frank Reich’s ground attack managed 167 yards on 34 carries and got steady games from Jordan Wilkins and workhorse Marlon Mack. Unheralded Denico Autry had two of the Colts’ four sacks and Matt Eberflus’ defenders allowed Tennessee to covert only once on 10 third-down attempts and stopped them on fourth down.

Next Week: The Colts host the Atlanta Falcons for the first time since 2011. For what it’s worth, this has been a lopsided series since its inception in back in 1966. The Colts own an overwhelming 14-2 edge in 16 lifetime meetings. The clubs’ last encounter took place in 2015 at Atlanta and resulted in a 24-21 Indianapolis’ victory.

Playoff hopes: The team’s recent mastery of the Titans continued on Sunday as the Colts made their share of mistakes but scratched out a road divisional win. The defense came up big on third down and Indianapolis’ advantages in the trenches paid off late in the contest. Reich’s team is home for four of its next five games.

Recap: Following a disappointing Week 1 performance at Minnesota, Dan Quinn’s squad was at home in prime time against a talented Philadelphia Eagles’ team. A year ago, quarterback Matt Ryan put up big numbers despite the team’s disappointing record. He threw for 35 scores and was picked off only seven times.

But two games into ’19 and the 12-year veteran has already served up five interceptions, three on Sunday night vs. the Eagles. Quinn’s club squandered a 17-6 lead but on fourth down with just over two minutes to play, Ryan hit Julio Jones on a short throw and he turned it into a 54-yard score. And Atlanta’s defense came up big in the closing minute.

Next Week: Quinn’s club heads to Indianapolis as the Falcons battle the Colts for the first time since 2015. Atlanta has prevailed just twice in 16 previous meetings in this setting but did come away with a 31-7 win in 2011 in the club’s only previous regular-season contest at Lucas Oil Stadium, their first and only road win (1-6) in the series.

Playoff hopes: The club evened its record against the Eagles and it was hard to ignore how physical Quinn’s team was all evening. That will pay off down the road, especially if the Falcons can avoid a rash of key injuries. Atlanta’s schedule is fascinating as the club doesn’t play a divisional foe until Week 10 when they visit New Orleans.

Next: Nos. 14 and 13