2019 NFL power rankings, Week 8: Packers statement, Chargers lament
15. . 6-1. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 2. team
Recap: Winners of four consecutive games, the Saints headed north to Soldier Field to battle the well-rested Chicago Bears in a clash of 2018 division winners. But quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would not have the services of both versatile running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Jared Cook. However, that didn’t seem to matter as New Orleans’ well-schooled offensive line opened holes for Latavius Murray, who ran for 119 yards and two touchdown on 27 carries. Bridgewater threw for 281 yards and two scores and Sean Payton’s club rolled up 424 total yards on the Bears’ vaunted defense. Don’t be fooled by the final score as the Saints outgained their hosts, 424-252.
Next Week: The Saints welcome the Arizona Cardinals to the Crescent City for the first time since 2013 looking to continue their winning ways at home in this series. New Orleans has hosted the Cardinals four times since 1997, including a playoff encounter in ’09, and won each time – the latest a 31-7 victory six years ago at the Superdome.
Playoff hopes: Make it five straight wins for a team that is solid on both sides of the ball and wound up rolling up 36 points at Chicago without Kamara, Cook and quarterback Drew Brees. It appears that only the Carolina Panthers pose a serious threat to the Saints in the NFC South. One can only imagine how this team will play once healthy.
New England Patriots. 1. team. 47. . 6-0. Previous:
Recap: Bill Belichick’s club is off to its best start since the Patriots won their first 10 games in 2015. Last week and prior to the club’s Monday night rematch with the Jets, veteran defensive end Michael Bennett was sat down for conduct detrimental to the team. He released a statement via ESPN’s Jordan Schultz (courtesy of NFL.com’s Andie Hagemann). “On Friday, I had a philosophical disagreement with my position coach that has led to my suspension. I apologize to my teammates for any distraction this may have caused.” New England would also be without side receiver Josh Gordon on Monday night due to injuries. But this is a club that has allowed 48 points in six contests.
Next Week: The Patriots play host to the Cleveland Browns for the first since 2013 when Belichick’s club managed a one-point win (27-26) at Gillette Stadium. Dating back to 2001, New England owns a 6-1 edge in this series and came away with a convincing 33-13 victory at Cleveland three years ago when these franchises last squared off.
More fansided.com: Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019
Playoff hopes: The Patriots are the lone team in the AFC that has yet to lose a game. And the rival Bills (5-1) are the only other club in the conference that doesn’t own at least a pair of losses. Regardless of the outcome on Monday night, it’s hard to imagine this franchise won’t extend its NFL record of 10 straight playoff appearances.