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2019 NFL power rankings, Week 8: Packers statement, Chargers lament

By Russell S. Baxter

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls a play from the line of scrimmage in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 20: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers calls a play from the line of scrimmage in the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field on October 20, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons falls after pressure from defender Dante Fowler #56 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons falls after pressure from defender Dante Fowler #56 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

team. 44. . 1-6. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 30

Recap: Two teams headed in the wrong direction clashed in Atlanta as the Falcons, losers of four consecutive games, hosted a Rams’ team that had dropped three in a row after a 3-0 start. It was another rough outing for Dan Quinn’s defensive unit as the Rams exploited his team for 381 total yards while not committing a turnover. Atlanta defenders once again failed to record a sack and the team has only five quarterback traps in seven contests. Matt Ryan was dropped five times and committed two more turnovers before exiting the game with an ankle injury.  Backup Matt Schaub led the Falcons to their only touchdown of the game and managed only 224 total yards.

Next Week: Quinn’s club is home for the second straight Sunday and takes on another 2018 playoff participant in the talented Seahawks. It’s the fourth meeting between the clubs in as many years and includes a 36-20 triumph by the Falcons in the 2016 NFC Divisional Playoffs, as well as a 34-31 Monday night win by Atlanta at Seattle in ’17.

Playoff hopes: This looks like a demoralized football team on both sides of the ball and are certainly headed in the wrong direction. The offensive line was an area addressed during the offseason but the Falcons could not protect Ryan in this contest. And the Atlanta defense has to rank as one of the league’s bigger disappointments this year.

Recap: Off their first win of the season, albeit against the troubled Dolphins, Bill Callahan’s club returned to Landover and hosted the 5-0 San Francisco 49ers. It was a rainy afternoon at FedExField and there would be no touchdowns scored on this day. In fact, there would be no points for the Redskins at all as quarterback Case Keenum and the Washington offense were limited to 154 total yards and 10 first downs. Adrian Peterson ran for 81 hard yards on 20 carries but also lost a fumble. The Redskins’ defense did not give up a touchdown and did pick off Jimmy Garoppolo once. But Greg Manusky’s struggling unit also surrendered 137 yards on the ground.

Next Week: The Redskins make their way to the Twin Cities for the first time since 2014 for a Thursday night clash with the Purple Gang. It’s the eighth meeting between the clubs in 10 years dating back to 2010. The clubs’ last encounter took place two year ago, when Washington came up short at home to Mike Zimmer’s squad, 38-30.

Playoff hopes: While the weather was certainly a factor, the reality remains that the Washington offense remains a problem-plagued unit – regardless of who is at quarterback. While the NFC East remains muddled due to the fact that every team in the division has at least three losses, the Redskins don’t look like they’ll be a postseason factor.

Next: Nos. 28 and 27

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