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

Recap: Off Monday night’s 27-3 victory over the visiting Bengals, the black and gold took on the defending division champion Ravens at Heinz Field looking to gain more ground on both Baltimore and Cleveland. Things got off to a rocky start as Mike Tomlin’s team fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter. And just when the team had gotten itself back in the game, quarterback Mason Rudolph was knocked out the contest via a shot under the jaw by Ravens’ safety Earl Thomas.

Eventually, the team would head to overtime tied at 23-all. But wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster would fumble after a catch and it set up Justin Tucker’s 46-yard field goal field as Pittsburgh lost again.

Next Week: It’s a rematch of one of the more intriguing games of 2018, only this time in Los Angeles. Last year on a Sunday night at Pittsburgh (Week 13), the Steelers blew a 23-7 halftime lead on the way to a 33-30 loss to the Chargers. In their last road tilt in this series, Tomlin’s club rallied for a 24-20 Monday night win at San Diego in ’15.

Playoff hopes: It’s been quite the five weeks for a team that looks better in certain areas but hasn’t learned to take advantage when given the opportunity. Of course, when you are down to your third-string quarterback, it adds up to quite a different story. It’s safe to say Tomlin’s hurting club will have to dig deep before this season falls apart.

Recap: The impossible-to-predict Titans were back at home and had a tall task ahead of them in facing a Buffalo Bills defensive unit that stifled the New England Patriots last Sunday, albeit it in a losing effort. And inconsistent quarterback Marcus Mariota was under siege most of the afternoon as the fourth-year signal-caller threw for only 183 yards while being sacked five times.

Tennessee’s defense did its share as safety Kevin Byard stole one of Josh Allen’s passes and Dean Pees’ unit dropped the second-year quarterback four times. But the Titans could only manage a third-quarter touchdown run by Derrick Henry as Mike Vrabel’s club slipped below .500 once again.

Next Week: Vrabel’s squad heads west to Denver as the Titans and Broncos clash for only the third time in seven years. The clubs’ last clash came in Tennessee in 2016, with the home team squeaking out a 13-10 win. Including playoffs, the Titans’ franchise has dropped five straight in the Mile High City, the latest a 51-28 setback in 2013.

Playoff hopes: It’s been the same old story for these Titans the last year or so, a solid win followed by a less-than-scintillating showing. Vrabel’s club has managed a disappointing 31 points in their three setbacks this season. The defense deserved a better fate Sunday. The Titans are now 11-10 in their last 21 games dating back to 2018.

Next: Nos. 22 and 21