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

Recap: Off to the team’s worst start since 1999, the Broncos made their way to Lambeau Field as the club took on an NFC North opponent for the second consecutive week. The Denver running game enjoyed a solid afternoon as Phillip Lindsay ran for 81 yards and two scores on 21 carries and Royce Freeman added 63 yards on 15 attempts. But quarterback Joe Flacco was sacked six times and committed two of the team’s three turnovers. New head coach Vic Fangio has to be scratching his headset these days as his defensive unit is still looking for its first sack of 2019. And inexplicably, the Broncos have not forced a turnover during the club’s disappointing start.

Next Week: The Broncos return home and host the well-rested Jacksonville Jaguars for the first time since 2013. Including a pair of playoff encounters, these teams have split their previous 12 clashes. Denver has come out on top in the last two meetings, a 35-19 home win in ’13 followed by a 20-10 triumph three years later at Jacksonville.

Playoff hopes: The last time the Broncos began their season with three straight losses was 1999. That was a very forgettable season that saw the club without retired quarterback John Elway while suffering a rash of key injuries early in the year. And Fangio’s squad is the only winless team in the AFC West after three weeks of play.

Recap: Last week, Jon Gruden’s club held the rival Chiefs scoreless in three quarters. Unfortunately, that didn’t include the 15 minutes just before halftime as Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes exploded for four touchdown passes and the Raiders fell, 28-10. This week, the Silver and Black hit the road for the first time in 2019 and made their way to Minnesota. The Oakland defense was pushed around up front as the Vikings ran for 211 yards while coordinator Paul Guenther’s unit failed to get any heat on Kirk Cousins. Quarterback Derek Carr would finish with 242 yards through the air and two scores. But he was picked off once and sacked four times.

Next Week: The Raiders hit the road for the second straight week as they visit Indianapolis for the first time since 2013. The club is just 1-5 in its last six meetings with the Colts dating back to 2004, including a 21-17 road loss six years ago. And last season at Oakland (Week 8), Indianapolis came away with 42-28 victory over Gruden’s squad.

Playoff hopes: After a promising Week 1 against the rival Broncos, Gruden’s team has looked over matched in convincing setbacks to the Chiefs and Vikings. The team is still having its issues in the trenches and a young defensive front has had no answers the last two weeks. The Raiders need to stop the bleeding in a hurry.

Next: Nos. 24 and 23