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

Recap: The Bolts returned home and took on the winless Denver Broncos as Anthony Lynn’s club faced its first divisional foe of 2019. A year ago, the Chargers were surprised at home by the Men from Mile High and it was déjà vu all over again as the Los Angeles’ defense was overrun by a Broncos’ ground attack that amassed 191 yard on 32 carries.

Meanwhile, the Bolts’ offense never reached the end zone as the team’s lone touchdown of the game came on a Desmond King 68-yard punt return in the third quarter. Phillip Rivers threw for only 211 yards and was picked off twice and the Chargers’ ground attack was virtually non-existent, managing only 35 yard on the day.

Next Week: The Bolts host the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time since 2015, when the club gave up a Le’Veon Bell touchdown run on the final play of the game on the way to a 24-20 loss. But a year ago in prime time at Heinz Field (Week 13), Lynn’s club came all the way back from 16 points down at the half to post a rousing 33-30 win.

Playoff hopes: It was a very disappointing performance by Lynn’s club as the team failed in its first divisional game of the season. The Los Angeles’ defense was very underwhelming versus a struggling Denver attack and the Chargers’ offense continued to shoot itself in its collective cleats. The Bolts are digging themselves a hole in the AFC West.

Recap: Sean McVay’s club has scored a combined 69 points in their last two games. But the Rams have found a way to lose both of those contests. It took a little time for quarterback Jared Goff to get warmed up and once he did he was the catalyst of an offense that amassed 477 total yards. But the ground game, despite a pair of rushing touchdowns by Todd Gurley, managed only 82 yards on 18 attempts.

All told, Goff would throw for 395 yards and one touchdown (to wide receiver Cooper Kupp) but also committed his eighth turnover in his last three games via a fourth-quarter interception. And highly-reliable kicker Greg Zeurlein couldn’t rescue his team in the final minute.

Next Week: It’s a second straight game versus a divisional foe as McVay and company play host to the improved 49ers, who will be coming off a Monday night clash with the Browns. A year ago, the Rams swept San Francisco for the first time since 2004, winning 39-10 on the road (Week 7) and later, 48-32 at the Coliseum in the season finale.

Playoff hopes: Back-to-back losses in which the team surrendered a combined 85 points has to have McVay and his staff a little concerned. And the Rams have done something this season that they managed to avoid a year ago, and that was to lose a divisional contest. It’s been a shaky start for a team that won 13 games the previous season.

Next: Nos. 8 and 7