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

Recap: For the second time in three weeks, the Rams (off to a 2-0 start for the second straight year), headed back east and made their first appearance in Cleveland (where the franchise originated) since 2011 to face the up-and-down Browns. Quarterback Jared Goff finished the evening with 269 yards passing and two touchdowns, both of those scores to Cooper Kupp. But Goff also turned over the football three times, including two interceptions. Veteran Clay Matthews finished with two of the team’s three sacks and John Johnson intercepted Baker Mayfield in the closing minute to seal the win.

Next Week: Sean McVay’s talented team heads back home and hosts the intriguing Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time since 2015 in St. Louis. It’s also the first meeting between these clubs since ‘16, when the Rams came up with a 37-32 victory at Raymond James Stadium. It was the team’s fifth straight win in the series dating back to 2012.

Playoff hopes: With the exception of the 0-2-1 Cardinals, every other team in the division is above .500 after three weeks. That includes the reigning NFC West champions, who find themselves tied with the much-improved San Francisco 49ers for first place. It wasn’t pretty on Sunday night, but McVay’s club once again found a way to win.

Recap: It was the first home game of the season for Andy Reid’s team as they hosted the defending AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens in a battle of 2-0 clubs. And after spotting the visitors a 6-0 first-quarter lead, the Chiefs responded with 23 straight points to open up a 17-point lead at intermission. After two quarters, Kansas City rolled up 307 total yards and Patrick Mahomes had already hit on 20 of his 25 passes for 273 yards and two scores. But the team’s shaky defensive unit kept the Ravens in the game, allowing 203 yards rushing and a total of 452 yards on 78 offensive plays. Reid’s team was able to kill the clock and secure an important victory.

Next Week: The Chiefs are back on the road for the third time in four games as the club makes its first appearance in the Motor City since 2011. Kansas City has dropped its last two games in Detroit, the latest a lopsided 48-3 setback eight years ago. As for the clubs’ last encounter, Reid’s team rolled to a 45-10 victory at London in 2015.

Playoff hopes: So far, no other member of the AFC West has looked very impressive. And while the Chiefs’ defense still leaves a lot to be desired, Mahomes and the offense — which amassed 503 total yards — has been amazing to date. A 3-0 start certainly doesn’t guarantee a postseason berth, especially if you can’t stop the other team.

Next: Nos. 2 and 1