2019 NFL power rankings, Week 5: Browns impress, Falcons regress

Recap: With a 3-0 record for the first time since 2011, the Bills were presented a golden opportunity as they hosted the defending Super Bowl champions from Foxborough. It has not gone well for the team from Orchard Park in this series this century. The club owned a 5-33 record versus Bill Belichick’s Patriots dating back to 2000 and had dropped the last five games in the series.

Before you could say “circle the wagons,” Sean McDermott’s club was down 13-0. But the Bills’ defense stifled the champs in the second half to the tune of 76 total yards. However, Buffalo’s offense continuously shot itself in the foot despite outgaining the Pats in total yards, 375-224.

Next Week: The Bills make their way south to Nashville for the first time since 2015 looking to continue their recent winning ways against the Titans. Last season in Week 5 at Orchard Park, McDermott’s club came up with a 13-12 victory. In their last appearance at Tennessee, Buffalo emerged with a 14-13 win over the home team.

Playoff hopes: A loss is a loss but the Bills showed their grit throughout the second half. Unfortunately, you can’t keep on giving the other team the football if you expect to win. This is an improved team on both the offensive and defensive lines. And once Buffalo’s young quarterback gains some valuable experience, this is a club to watch.

Recap: The Browns have yet to put a complete game together and their offense had struggled to find itself after three weeks of play. Freddie Kitchens’ club was hoping to fare better this week at Baltimore in battle of the top two teams in the AFC North.

Cleveland owned a 7-0 lead after one quarter of play and a three-point advantage after 30 minutes. Then things got very interesting as a team that totaled just 59 points after 14 quarters of play came up with 30 points in the second half on Sunday. Running back Nick Chubb ran for 165 yards and three scores, Baker Mayfield threw for 342 yards and one touchdown (and one interception) and the Browns would simply pull away and win.

Next Week: For the third time in five games, the Browns have to get ready for prime time as Kitchens’ club heads west for a Monday night clash with the 49ers. It’s Cleveland’s first road game in this setting since 2011, when the club came up short, 20-10. The Browns came up with a 24-10 win in ’15 at Cleveland in the clubs’ last clash.

Playoff hopes: In their first divisional game of the season, Kitchens’ team made a resounding statement. But the key is building on that victory as after four games, the Browns have alternated wins and losses. So far, this talented team has performed better away from home than in Cleveland. Does that bode well next week at San Francisco?

Next: Nos. 10 and 9