Fansided

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

By Russell S. Baxter

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 and Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers react after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 and Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers react after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints. 2. team. 15. . 7-1. Previous:

Recap: Riding a five-game winning streak, the reigning NFC South champions hosted the Arizona Cardinals, who had won their last three games. And veteran quarterback Drew Brees was back in the starting lineup for the first time since suffering that thumb injury in Week 2 at Los Angeles. After a somewhat slow start, the NFL’s all-time passing yardage leader added to his total with 373 yards through the air and three scores. Minus Alvin Kamara for the second straight games, the Saints ran for 137 yards thanks mainly to Latavius Murray. And the New Orleans’ defense cooled off the Cardinals, rolling up four sacks and limited Arizona to three field goals by game’s end.

Next Week: Payton’s first-place club gets some time off and when they get back to business, the Saints will face NFC South rivals in their next four contests. The club will host the Falcons, visit Tampa Bay, return home to take on the Carolina Panthers and then four days later travel to Atlanta for a Thanksgiving night rematch with the Falcons.

Playoff hopes: The NFL’s most complete team continues to play solid football on both sides of the ball and also shows in knows how to win via shootout and the brawl. Now things get really interesting for the Saints, who still own the top spot in the NFC South and can really take care of business when they get back from their off week.

Previous: . New England Patriots. 1. team. 47. . 8-0

Recap: Off their second shutout of the season, the Patriots hosted the mistake-prone Cleveland Browns. Early last week, the team acquired wide receiver Mohamed Sanu from the Atlanta Falcons, added cornerback and special teams’ maven Justin Bethel as well while dealing defensive end Michael Bennett to Dallas. On the field Sunday, New England got three more takeaways with linebacker Dont’a Hightower scoring on a 26-yard fumble return. The Pats would turn those Cleveland miscues into a 17-0 first=quarter lead and never looked back. Tom Brady was sacked three times but also threw for 259 yards and two scores and the Patriots did not turn over the ball.

Next Week: The Patriots and that staunch defense make the short trip south to Baltimore to take on the AFC North-leading Ravens in prime time. The teams last met in 2016 and New England came away with a 30-23 Monday night victory at Foxborough. The Pats’ last appearance at Baltimore resulted in a 41-7 win six years ago.

More fansided.com: Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

Playoff hopes: The defending Super Bowl champions are halfway to another 16-0 regular season. The team continues to scoop up opponents’ miscues while doing just enough on offense to get the job done. But next Sunday’s clash with the Ravens is the first of five consecutive games with teams that reached the playoffs in ’18.

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