2019 NFL power rankings, Week 7: 49ers jump, Cowboys slump
50. . 2-1-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 12. team
Recap: The Men from Motown have had a little more than two weeks to mull over their first loss of 2019 as Matt Patricia’s defense couldn’t slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense in the waning moments of Week 4. Now it’s on to Green Bay for a Monday night clash with the 4-1 Packers. The Lions are 3-1 in their last four trips to Lambeau Field after dropping 24 straight road games in this series (including playoffs) from 1992-2014. There’s a lot of promise when it comes to Patricia’s club, mainly the fact that the team is showing balance on offense thanks in part to second-year running back Kerryon Johnson. And the Lions’ defense has made its share of big plays.
Next Week: Six days after their latest encounter with the Packers, the Lions face another divisional foe in the Minnesota Vikings. This game is at Ford Field and Detroit is looking to end its recent losing ways in this long-time rivalry. The Lions have dropped the last three meetings in this long time rivalry, including two straight at home.
Playoff hopes: Can The Lions become the latest worst-to-first team in the league? A year ago, the rival Bears won the NFC North after finishing in the divisional basement four straight seasons. Patricia’s club has yet to face a divisional foe in 2019 and that changes dramatically with tilts vs. the Packers and Vikings in the span of seven days.
Minnesota Vikings. 11. team. 60. . 4-2. Previous:
Recap: The win one, lose one, win one, lose won, win one Purple Gang was back home and looked to knock off a Philadelphia Eagles’ team that was arguably just as inconsistent as Mike Zimmer’s squad. But the Vikings’ offense was in high gear as quarterback Kirk Cousins connected on 22 of his 29 throws for 33 yards and four touchdowns (1 interception). Three of those TD tosses went to wideout Stefon Diggs, who hauled in scores of 62, 51 and 11 yards, respectively. Minnesota’s offensive attack rolled up 447 total yards and also managed 122 yards on the ground vs. Philadelphia’s sturdy run defense. The Vikings have scored a combined 66 points the last two weeks.
Next Week: The Purple Gang will be looking for its first divisional win of the season as they head to the Motor City to take on the Lions. The Vikings have already dropped the games at Green Bay and at Chicago this year but the team is 3-1 in its last four trips to Detroit dating back to 2015. Minnesota has won three straight in this series.
Playoff hopes: This was a very big win for the Purple Gang as it was the first time this season that this club put together consecutive victories. The Minnesota passing game is starting to find its groove after some early issues. The Vikings’ defense has done its share for the most part this year and this suddenly looks like a dangerous squad.
Next: Nos. 10 and 9