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

Recap: Pete Carroll’s resourceful team was able to put at least 30 points on the board against the Rams for the third consecutive game. Only this time around, it was enough to get the victory as the Seahawks snapped a three-game losing streak to their NFC West rivals.

Quarterback Russell Wilson continued his impressive start, throwing for 268 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Running back Chris Carson keyed a ground attack that rolled up a 167 yards against the shaky Los Angeles’ defense. And the ‘Hawks were able to hold on for the one-point victory when Rams’ kicker Greg Zeuerlein pushed a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal wide right.

Next Week: The Seahawks head east for the second time this season and face their third AFC North team in six games as they clash with the Browns for the first time since 2015. That meeting would result in a 30-13 victory at Seattle. The ‘Hawks have dropped two straight at Cleveland, the latest visit resulting in a 6-3 loss eight years ago.

Playoff hopes: Carroll’s club has bounced back from that Week 3 home loss to the Saints with a pair of victories within the division. A year ago, the Seahawks were swept by the Rams and also fell at San Francisco. Off to a 4-1 start for the second time in four years, this is a solid team and Wilson has emerged as an early MVP candidate.

Recap: Entering Week 5, Kyle Shanahan’s improving club ranked fourth in the NFL in total offense (second in rushing) while only two teams had allowed fewer yards per game. The 49ers have already proven to be very opportunistic, one of the shortcomings of the 2018 team. The team has five interceptions and seven total takeaways. A season ago, San Francisco set dubious NFL marks as the club forced only seven turnovers and picked off only two passes.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who missed the vast majority of 2018 with a knee injury, has yet to find his groove despite completing 69 percent of his throws. The talented signal-caller has as many turnovers as touchdown passes (five).

Next Week: Six days after their Monday night inter-conference showdown with Cleveland, Shanahan’s crew heads to the Coliseum to take on a Rams’ team that lost to the Seahawks on Thursday night on the road. A year ago, the Niners were humbled by the eventual NFC champions in two losses in which they allowed a combined 87 points.

Playoff hopes: The last time the San Francisco opened 3-0 was 21 years ago. That club sported a 12-4 record in 1998 and reached the playoffs. These days, the 49ers haven’t been to the postseason since 2013. But this year’s club is just one victory away from matching last season’s win total (four). These next two games should tell us a lot.

Next: Nos. 4 and 3