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

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 6: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring his fourth touchdown during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 6: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after scoring his fourth touchdown during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 6, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the first half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the first half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

2-3. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 22. team. 48.

Recap: Off a surprising victory at Los Angeles over the Rams in which the Buccaneers set a franchise record for points scored in a game, Bruce Arians’ interesting team headed to the Big Easy for a divisional encounter with the Saints.

The teams were tied 10-10 in the second quarter but Tampa’s pass rush never put any real heat on Saints’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who wasn’t sacked and wound up throwing for 314 yards and four scores with one interception. Arians’ club fell behind 24-10 in the third quarter and was never able to catch up. Todd Bowles’ defense would surrender 457 yards and allowed the Saints to convert on eight of their 15 third-down attempts.

Next Week: The Panthers and Buccaneers collide for the second time this season and the site is London, England as Tampa Bay is in position to sweep this NFC South rivalry for the first time since ‘16. In Week 2 on a Thursday night at Charlotte, Arians’ team held on for a 20-14 victory as the Bucs’ defense did not allow a touchdown.

Playoff hopes: It’s been a rollercoaster after five games as the Bucs have alternated losses and wins in their first five games. The team’s offensive line is still a problem area but Winston is learning to take better care of the football. Arians has this team headed in the right direction but consistency has been the biggest issue to date.

52. . 2-3. Previous: . Jacksonville Jaguars. 21. team

Recap: Doug Marrone’s team has rebounded smartly after a 0-2 start, handling the Titans and rallying to beat the Broncos at Denver, respectively. The Jaguars were on the road for a second straight week as they took on a Carolina Panthers’ team that also evened its record after dropping its first two games.

Jacksonville came up with a season-high 27 points but has few answers for Christian McCaffrey and a ground attack that rolled up 285 yards on 27 attempts. While the pass rush produced three sacks, the Jaguars failed to come up with a takeaway. On the other hand, quarterback Gardner Minshew threw for 374 yards and two scores but also lost three fumbles.

Next Week: The Jaguars face another member of the NFC South this Sunday when they host the talented New Orleans Saints. When last these team squared off, Jacksonville fell short at the Superdome, 38-27, four years ago. And the last time the Jaguars welcomed the Saints to Florida, the visitors came away with a 23-10 win in ’11.

Playoff hopes: This has turned into quite the exciting club and if Marrone can get his run defense figured out (a problem area for more than a few seasons) the team could be even more of a factor when it comes to faring well against the league’s better teams. The Jaguars’ offense is one of the league’s more pleasant surprises.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19

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