2019 NFL power rankings, Week 6: Texans roll, Bears stunned

Recap: It’s been an erratic start for a team many had high hopes for this season. And perhaps the club’s rousing 40-25 victory at Baltimore will prove to be a jumpstart for Freddie Kitchens’ squad, which rolled up a scintillating 530 total yards on the Ravens’ defense. Running back Nick Chubb made life easier for Baker Mayfield and it’s that kind of balance that will take this team far, especially if the offensive line can come together.

Cleveland’s defense continues to be spearheaded by defensive end Myles Garrett, who has exactly half of the team’s 12 sacks. The Browns’ secondary has had to deal with a slew of injuries but somehow coordinator Steve Wilks is making it work.

Next Week: Kitchens’ interesting club returns home and takes on yet another NFC West squad as the Browns host the Seattle Seahawks for the first time since 2011. That year, Cleveland came away with an ugly 6-3 triumph. As far as the last time these teams last battled, the Browns fell hard in the Pacific Northwest, 30-13, four years ago.

Playoff hopes: As has been well-documented, this is a franchise that owns the longest active playoff drought in the NFL. The Browns haven’t been to the postseason since 2002 and the last time the club won a division title, it was the previous incarnation that turned the trick in 1989. So far in 2019, this has been a tough team to figure out.

Recap: As the cliché’ goes, there are no moral victories in the NFL. And the Buffalo Bills, whose defense shackled the New England Patriots a week ago, look to rebound from their first loss of the season and faced a tough Titans team at Nashville. It would be Josh Allen behind center after the second-year quarterback cleared concussion protocol and he would come up with a rugged effort.

Despite being sacked four times, he threw for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Allen also ran for 27 yards on 10 attempts but did serve up one interception. The defense kept Tennessee’s attack under wraps, sacking Marcus Mariota five times, three via interior force Jordan Phillips.

Next Week: McDermott’ club is off in Week 6 but when the Bills return to action the following Sunday, it’s the start of a three-game home stand that begins with a visit from the Miami Dolphins. A year ago, these longtime AFC East adversaries split their two-game set for the first time since 2014, with the home team prevailing in each instance.

Playoff hopes: The Buffalo defense continues to show that it belongs in the discussion with the league’s best. And kudos to McDermott’s club for shaking off last week’s home disappointment versus the Patriots by winning on the road. This is a hard-nosed club that needs to do some fine tuning during its off week but it’s a team on the rise.

Next: Nos. 10 and 9