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

Recap: It’s been an interesting start to the season for the defending AFC South champions. From a two-point loss at New Orleans to a one-point victory versus the Jaguars, now the Texans would hit the road once again and face a 2018 playoff team in the Los Angeles Chargers. Third-year quarterback Deshaun Watson kept his wits about him and finished the afternoon with 351 yards and three touchdowns through the air. On the other side of the ball, a steady Texans’ pass rush would drop Chargers’ veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers five times — twice by defensive end J.J. Watt — and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus forced the experienced quarterback into a lost fumble.

Next Week: The Texans host the Panthers for the first time since 2011 as these inter-conference foes meet for only the fifth time. After taking the first two encounters, Houston fell at home to Carolina eight years ago (28-13) and much more recently, dropped a 24-17 decision at Charlotte to Ron Rivera’s Super Bowl 50-bound team.

Playoff hopes: All three of the Texans’ games this season have come down to the wire. But the bottom line is that O’Brien’s club has managed to overcome shortcomings and now won two straight games after that heartbreaking setback at New Orleans. Now Houston heads home for two straight games as they look to build some momentum.

Recap: Baltimore’s defensive unit could not find a way to stop talented quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense. The Ravens actually ran 78 offensive plays to the Chiefs’ 64, but the latter rolled up an amazing 503 yards as John Harbaugh’s club registered only one sack and failed to come up with a takeaway. Running back Mark Ingram had a big afternoon as he totaled 103 of the club’s 203 yards on the ground and scored three of Baltimore’s four touchdowns. But second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson barely hit on 50 percent of his passes (22-of-43), was sacked three times and did not finish with a score through the air.

Next Week: Last season, the Ravens clinched the AFC North courtesy of a Week 17 home win against the Browns, 26-24. Now these longtime division rivals collide of the first of at least two meetings this season, this contest once again at Baltimore. Since being swept by Cleveland in ‘07, the Ravens own an impressive 19-3 record in this series.

Playoff hopes: While the Ravens suffered their first loss of the season, the Bengals and Steelers remained winless and Cleveland has proven to be very erratic. The Baltimore defense was certainly schooled at Kansas City and Harbaugh’s club must correct a few things before next Sunday’s early showdown with the highly-touted Browns.

Next: Nos. 6 and 5