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

Recap: Off of a surprising home loss to the Carolina Panthers, Bill O’Brien’s club played host to another member of the NFC South in the struggling Atlanta Falcons. And quarterback Deshaun Watson and speedster Will Fuller had a field day against Dan Quinn’s club as the former threw for 426 yards and five scores while the oft-injured wide receiver had exactly half (14) of Watson’s completions, good for 217 yards and three touchdowns.

The Houston running game rolled up 166 yards and all told, O’Brien’s attack exploited the Atlanta defense for 592 total yards. Safety Tashaun Gipson rounded out the scoring with a 79-yard interception return at the expense of Matt Ryan.

Next Week: It’s a battle of 2018 defending AFC divisional champions as the Texans make their first appearance at Arrowhead Stadium since 2013. All told, Houston is 1-4 in its last five meetings with the Chiefs over the previous six seasons. That includes a playoff loss in ’15 and a 42-34 Sunday night setback two years ago, both at Houston.

Playoff hopes: It was quite the turnaround for O’Brien’s team as the club responded in a big way after being limited to 10 points at home in last Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Watson wasn’t sacked all afternoon and picked apart the troubled Falcons’ defense. Of course, next week’s meeting with the Chiefs could be a little tougher.

Recap: Jason Garrett’s squad looked to shake off the effects of a 12-10 loss at the Superdome while hosting the Green Bay Packers, who were also coming off their first defeat of 2019. But a Dallas defense that limited the Saints to four field goals had no answers for Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones, namely in the first half.

Rod Marinelli’s unit would surrender 218 total yards in the first half, Jones would finish the afternoon with 107 yards rushing and four touchdowns and Rodgers threw for 238 yards. Dak Prescott wound up with 463 yards through the air and two scores but he was sacked three times and had three of his passes stolen. And Dallas failed to force a turnover.

Next Week:

The Cowboys make the first of two scheduled appearance at MetLife Stadium this season as they face the New York Jets on the road for the first time since 2011. That day, Garrett’s team fell to the Green and White, 27-24. And the last time these two teams squared off in ‘15, Dallas fell short on a Saturday evening at home, 19-16.

Playoff hopes: From 3-0 to consecutive losses within the conference, the Cowboys made a gallant effort in the second half against Green Bay but made too many mistakes at crucial times. Dallas’ run defense disappointed in a big way and Marinelli has to be scratching his headset a bit. Can the ‘Boys regain their early-season momentum?

Next: Nos. 6 and 5