2019 NFL power rankings, Week 7: 49ers jump, Cowboys slump
26. team. 35. . 2-4. Previous: . Tennessee Titans
Recap: Mike Vrabel’s club took it on the chin at home vs. the Bills and was now hoping to get back to the .500 mark by beating the Broncos at Denver. But the Tennessee offense was a no-show once again as the team was shut out. The Titans scored a combined 67 points in their wins over the Browns and Falcons while amassing only 31 points in their four setbacks. Quarterback Marcus Mariota struggled mightily, sacked three times while serving up two interceptions, and gave way to Ryan Tannehill. The latter was picked off once and dropped four times by the Denver pass rush.
Next Week: The erratic Titans welcome the Chargers to Tennessee for the first time since 2013 looking to get a rare win in this series. Dating back to 1993 and including a playoff loss at San Diego in ’07, the franchise is an astounding 1-11 in its last 12 games in this series, including a 20-19 loss a year ago at London in Week 7.
Playoff hopes: Vrabel’s club has scored a total of seven points the last two weeks in losses to the Bills and Broncos. And two of the Titans’ four setbacks are to the division-rival Colts and Jaguars. And it’s possible that when this team takes the field next Sunday against the Chargers, there will be a new starting quarterback at the controls.
25. team. 45. . 2-4. Previous: . Denver Broncos
Recap: Off their first victory of 2019, the Broncos were now looking for their initial home win of the season as they took on the unpredictable Tennessee Titans. Denver’s defense has suddenly awoken after a start in which the club failed to force a turnover in its first four outings. The Broncos’ somewhat-dormant pass rush also rose up on Sunday as the team sacked Titans’ quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill seven times. Fangio’s team also stole three of their passes, the second straight game the club came up with three takeaways, and limied the Titans to 39 yards rushing. Denver managed only 270 yards and settled for three field goals and one touchdown.
Next Week: Fangio’s squad takes on its third different division rival of the season as they welcome the Chiefs to the Mile High City for a Thursday night showdown. A year ago, the Broncos were swept by Kansas City and have dropped seven straight games to their long-time adversaries – allowing 27-plus points in each of those setbacks.
Playoff hopes: Things can change very quickly in this league and in the span of eight days, the Broncos have won a pair of games while the first-place Chiefs have dropped to 4-2 after consecutive losses. That means the AFC West is suddenly wide open. If Fangio’s club can come up big at home on Thursday night, things will get real interesting.
Next: Nos. 24 and 23