2019 NFL power rankings, Week 6: Texans roll, Bears stunned
1-4. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 28. team. 44.
Recap: Dan Quinn’s struggling squad took on a member of the AFC South for the third consecutive Sunday as they headed to Houston to face the inconsistent Texans. But the Atlanta defense looked both helpless and hapless as Houston rolled up a whopping 592 total yards on just 67 offensive plays (an 8.8-yard per-play average).
Devonta Freeman and the Falcons’ ground attack managed only 57 yards. It was another up-and-down showing by quarterback Matt Ryan as he threw for 330 yards and three scores but also served up his seventh interception of the season, equaling his total from 2018. Quinn’s struggling defense watched Deshaun Watson throw for 526 yards and five touchdowns.
Next Week: The inconsistent Falcons head to the desert for the first time since 2013 looking to extend their winning ways in a series that has been dominated by the home team as of late. Atlanta has prevailed in their last three meetings with the Cardinals dating back to ‘14, the latest triumph a season ago at home in Week 15, 40-14.
Playoff hopes: It has come apart pretty quickly for Quinn, who has to be feeling the heat after the team dropped to 1-4 for the second straight year. Ryan looks like he’s pressing and the Atlanta defense — under the control of the head coach — continues to give up big plays. There’s time to right the ship but is this team equipped to do so?
team. 32. . 1-3-1. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 27
Recap: Still in search of their first victory during the Kliff Kingsbury Era, the Cardinals headed east for the second this season and battled the 0-4 Bengals. In their first outings this season, Arizona had been outscored a combined 68-19 in the first half and managed only one touchdown before intermission.
On Sunday, the Cards rolled up a season-best 266 yards on the ground and limited the Bengals to 108 yards rushing — also a season-best for Vance Joseph’s unit. After giving up 20 sacks in their first four games, Arizona’s offensive line allowed Kyler Murray to be dropped just once. After squandering a 23-9 fourth-quarter lead, a last-second field goal gave the Cards their first win.
Next Week: The last time the Cardinals hosted the Falcons was back in 2013 and Big Red came away with a 27-13 win. Arizona has dropped three consecutive games (all at Atlanta) in this series dating back to ’14, and been more than doubled up on the scoreboard over that span (107-51), the latest loss a 40-14 setback a year ago (Week 15).
Playoff hopes: A bit of déjà vu from a year ago, only with a little twist as it took the Cardinals five games in 2018 to get their first win of the season as well. The team showed some resilience after squandering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and still finding a way to win. But can Kingsbury and company build on their first win of 2019?
Next: Nos. 26 and 25