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

Recap: Off a much-needed victory last Sunday night at home over the formidable Eagles, the Falcons made their way to Indianapolis for the first time since 2011. A year ago, Dan Quinn’s team suffered through a miserable season and lost all four games against AFC teams (by a combined 132-85 score). And the losing streak against the other conference continued at Indianapolis as the team struggled to stop a balanced Colts’ attack. There were no takeaways and only one sack by Quinn’s defenders while opposing quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 310 yards and two scores. While Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes, he also served up his sixth interception of 2019.

Next Week: Quinn’s club plays host to the Tennessee Titans for the first time since 2011 as these teams look to break a tie (7-7) in a series that dates back to 1972. As for more recent times, the Falcons have won the last two meetings between the teams and came up with a 10-7 win at Nashville in 2015 when last these clubs squared off.

Playoff hopes: The injury bug once again bit Atlanta’s defense on Sunday as safety Keanu Neal suffered what appears to be a torn Achilles. In any case, these Falcons are not playing complimentary football these days and the club has disappointed on defense regardless of its current state. Will the club rebound next week at home?

Recap: For the second time in seven days, Baker Mayfield and company would be featured in prime time. The opponent was the Rams, winners of their first two games of the season. Cleveland’s offense struggled to move the football consistently all evening and finished with just 270 total yards by night’s end. Meanwhile, the Browns’ defense didn’t have a lot of answers when it came to Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff, although Steve Wilks’ unit did force the fourth-year pro into three turnovers. The last was a fourth-quarter pick that gave the Browns a chance to tie or force overtime. But Mayfield’s fourth-down pass was intercepted in the end zone in the game’s final minute.

Next Week: For the second straight week, the Browns will take on a team that won a division title in 2018. And this time it will be on the road as Mayfield and company square off with the Ravens at Baltimore. A year ago, the teams split their two-game set for the second time in four seasons, with both AFC North rivals prevailing at home.

Playoff hopes: If the Browns are going to end the NFL’s longest current playoff drought (2002), Kitchens’ team is going to have to play much more consistent football. The club’s erratic performance after three games has been somewhat disappointing from a talented squad that certainly came into 2019 with very high expectations.

Next: Nos. 16 and 15