2019 NFL power rankings, Week 9: Eagles rebound, Panthers humbled

Recap: Entering Week 8, only the Dallas Cowboys had gained more total yards per game and no team in the league was averaging more yards per contest on the ground. Led by exciting second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson, Baltimore’s offense has been the real catalyst for the team’s solid start. Unlike the Ravens’ teams for many years, the defense has had its ups and downs and endured a very tough stretch when the club lost consecutive games to the Chiefs and Browns, respectively. A recent trade for ball-hawking cornerback Marcus Peters paid immediate dividends last week when he took a Russell Wilson interception for a touchdown in a surprise win at Seattle.

Next Week: Baltimore will be in the Sunday night spotlight as Harbaugh’s team hosts the New England Patriots for the first time since 2013. Dating back to 2009, these franchises will be meeting for the 10th time – with four of those previous nine encounters in the playoffs. And the Ravens have dropped three straight in this setting.

Playoff hopes: Harbaugh’s club owns a bit of a cushion in the AFC North as they are the only team among the four that is above the .500 mark. This is still a team with some defensive question marks but the other clubs in the division have yet to prove they can win consistently. So far, the Ravens have answered most of the questions.

Recap: It figured to be a fascinating Thursday night in the Twin Cities as the rejuvenated Vikings – winners of three straight games – and former Redskins’ quarterback Kirk Cousins played host to the signal-caller’s former employer. Missing on offense was wide receiver Adam Thielen, injured during the team’s win at Detroit. And the latter’s absence was certainly felt as the team reached the end zone just once despite rolling up 425 total yards. Cousins overcame three sacks and hit on 23 of his 36 throws for 285 yards. Running back Dalvin Cook scored the game’s only touchdown and ran for 98 yards on 23 carries. The Vikings rolled up 161 yards on the ground in this contest.

Next Week: The well-rested Purple Gang heads to Arrowhead Stadium for the first time since 2011 as these storied franchises – which first met way back in Super Bowl IV at New Orleans roughly 50 years ago – renew acquaintances for the first time since 2015. That season, the Vikings came away with a 16-10 victory in the Twin Cities.

Playoff hopes: Although Zimmer’s team didn’t win going away on Sunday, the Minnesota offense controlled the football when it needed to and the Vikings’ defense did prevent Washington from reaching the end zone. It’s a team that is playing complimentary football these days and that was something rarely seen from this team in ’18.

Next: Nos. 4 and 3