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

Recap: For the second straight week, the Packers gave up their share of yards, especially on the ground as the visiting Broncos ran 38 times for 149 yards. But this Green Bay team has found a way to force opponents into costly mistakes. Denver coughed up the football three times, meaning Matt LaFleur’s squad has already racked up eight takeaways in three games. This is a club that forced only 15 turnovers in 16 contests a season ago. On the other hand, the pass rush dumped Joe Flacco six times, five of those by the outside linebacking combination of Preston Smith (3) and Za’Darius Smith (2). And LaFleur’s evolving offense remained very balance on Sunday.

Next Week: The Pack is back at home for a third consecutive game. Only this time, it’s a Thursday night clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dating back to 2007 and including a road playoff victory back in ’10, Green Bay owns a 5-1 record against these Birds, the clubs’ latest clash resulting in a 27-13 Monday night road win for the Packers in 2016.

Playoff hopes: What a difference a year and a competent defensive unit makes. Pettine’s defense has bent but rarely broken so far this season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense have been quiet but efficient and the team played turnover-free football for the second time in three weeks. It’s been a solid start for this new-look club.

Recap: The Saints would be without veteran signal-caller Drew Brees, who tore ligaments in his thumb in the loss to the Rams. And head coach Sean Payton kept the name of his starting quarterback under wraps as long as possible as the team made its way to the Pacific Northwest to take on the 2-0 Seahawks. Teddy Bridgewater would get the nod but it was the team’s special teams (Deonte Harris) and defense (Vonn Bell) that scored touchdowns via a punt and fumble return, respectively. Payton’s offense gained only 265 total yards but much of that came via versatile Alvin Kamara. He totaled 25 touches, 161 yards from scrimmage and scored as a runner and pass-catcher.

Next Week: It’s a Sunday night affair at the Superdome as Payton’s squad hosts the Cowboys in a clash of division champions from a season ago. Last season on a Thursday night at Arlington (Week 13), the Saints were stifled in a 13-10 loss. But New Orleans has come away with four wins in the team’s last six meetings dating back to 2010.

Playoff hopes: Kudos to the reigning NFC South champions, who found a way to win away from home without their prolific signal-caller. That’s a tribute to Payton and an organization that has become far less dependent on one player the last few years. And the Saints are the only team in the division above .500 after three games.

Next: Nos. 4 and 3