2019 NFL power rankings, Week 5: Browns impress, Falcons regress
It wasn’t a good week for the home teams around the league. So how did an interesting Thursday and a wild Sunday affect the latest NFL Power Rankings?
59. . 0-4. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 32. team
Recap: Brian Flores’ struggling squad was back in South Florida for the third time in four games and hosted a Chargers team that entered Sunday with a two-game losing streak. Dating back to Week 15 of ’18, the Dolphins had dropped six straight games by an unfathomable combined score of 233-57. But Miami would take a 7-3 lead in the first quarter.
Unfortunately for Miami, there would be only one more field goal the rest of the afternoon as the visiting Bolts wound up rolling up 390 total yards on the Dolphins’ defense. It continued a theme for a team that has not managed a single point in the second half this season, outscored a combined 81-0 after intermission.
Next Week: The reeling Dolphins get a little vacation time and an opportunity to lick their many wounds. Flores and company return to action in Week 6 and are at home for the fourth time in five games when they host the Washington Redskins. Miami has won the last two meetings, the latest a 17-10 triumph in 2015 at Landover.
Playoff hopes: Another week and another loss by at least 20 points for the struggling Dolphins, who have now been outscored by a combined 163-26 during their 0-4 start. Flores’ undermanned team would have to do something pretty dramatic to win a game these days, much less enter a conversation about playoff aspirations.
0-3. Previous: . New York Jets. 31. team. 30.
Recap: Three games into 2019 and the team has started three different quarterbacks (Sam Darnold, Josh McCown and Luke Falk), scored more touchdowns on defense and special teams (3) than on offense (1) and is still looking for its first win of the season. New head coach Adam Gase is already taking some heat but it’s hard to maintain any kind of offensive continuity with the numerous changes behind center.
Running back Le’Veon Bell has rolled up 284 total yards from scrimmage and has the Jets’ lone offensive touchdown to date. The offensive line has had its issues. But Gregg Williams’ defensive unit has enjoyed some encouraging moments despite some key injuries.
Next Week: With an extra week to prepare, the Jets will attempt to achieve a first in the team’s long history: defeat the Eagles during the regular season. The Green and White is an unimaginable 0-10 lifetime in a series that dates back to 1973. It’s been balanced ineptitude as the Jets are winless at home (0-5) and at Philadelphia (0-5).
Playoff hopes: The Jets haven’t won a game since Week 14 of 2018. More importantly, two of the club’s three losses this season are to their AFC East rivals from Buffalo and Foxborough, respectively. And Gase’s squad is already 0-2 at home. Darnold could return this week vs. the Eagles. Can he help turn things around quickly?
Next: Nos. 30 and 29