2019 NFL power rankings, Week 4: Saints rise, Chargers slide

Recap: Mistakes proved fatal to Anthony Lynn’s team last week at Detroit courtesy of two critical turnovers. This week, the Chargers’ pass rush failed to consistently pressure Texans’ star Deshaun Watson. While the Los Angeles defense did record a pair of sacks and a total of six quarterback hits, the elusive performer would connect on 25 of his 34 throws for 351 total yards and three scores, all of those touchdowns to tight ends. Philip Rivers finished with 318 passing yards and both of his touchdowns went to Keenan Allen. The latter would windup shredding the Houston secondary with 13 catches for 183 yards. But the Bolts couldn’t protect a 10-point second-quarter lead.

Next Week: The Bolts make the very long trip to South Florida for the first time since 2014 to face the struggling Dolphins. It’s the clubs’ sixth meeting in seven seasons dating back to 2013 and the Chargers have struggled in this series, dropping four of their last five to Miami over that stretch, the latest a 19-17 setback in ’17 at Los Angeles.

Playoff hopes: Other than the reigning division champion Chiefs, no other team in the AFC West has a winning record after three weeks. In fact, the Chargers, Raiders and Broncos have combined for one less victory than Kansas City. In any case, the Bolts need to right their ship in a hurry as this undermanned club is not quite in sync.

Recap: When you look at the final numbers, it’s hard to believe that Pete Carroll’s club wound up coming up short at home against the Saints. The ‘Hawks nearly doubled their guests in total yards (515-265), did not allow a sack, committed only one turnover and ran 26 more offensive plays than New Orleans. But that miscue was a fumble by Chris Carson that was returned for a score. And Seattle’s special teams were burned early in the first quarter for a touchdown via a punt return. Russell Wilson hit on 32-of-50 throws for 406 yards and two scores and ran for a pair of TDs. But the Seahawks’ defense also failed to corral Saints’ running back Alvin Kamara.

Next Week: Carroll’s club heads to the desert and a place that has been pretty kind to the Seahawks in recent years. Dating back to 2013, Wilson and company have won two straight and are 5-0-1 in their last six trips to Arizona. And regardless of venue, the ‘Hawks are 6-3-1 in their last 10 meetings in the NFC West rivalry.

Playoff hopes: After finding a way to manufacture come-from-behind wins over the Bengals and Seahawks, Carroll’s squad never had the lead against a Saints team that was minus quarterback Drew Brees. We should learn a lot more about this team in their next two outings as they face the Cardinals and Rams in a five-day stretch.

Next: Nos. 10 and 9