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

Recap: After suffering a sprained ankle during the team’s Week 7 home loss to the Rams, quarterback Matt Ryan sat down in place of Matt Schaub as the Falcons welcomed the Seattle Seahawks to Atlanta. Earlier last week, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu was dealt to New England. In any case, it’s the Falcons’ defense that has been under the gun and despite sacking Russell Wilson twice (they entered the game with 5 sacks), they allowed two more scores through the air and were bludgeoned for 151 yards on the ground. Schaub would throw for 460 yards and one score but also had two of Atlanta’s three turnovers. Make it six consecutive losses for this disappointing squad.

Next Week: Quinn’s team is off next week but when the Falcons return to action, they will begin a five-game stretch in which they face nothing but their NFC South rivals. It starts with trips to New Orleans and Carolina respectively, followed a three-game homestand vs. the Buccaneers, Saints (on Thanksgiving) and Panthers.

Playoff hopes: So is head coach Dan Quinn living on borrowed time? While the Falcons were without Ryan and the team was overmatched early, the team made a game of it in the second half. But a seven-point home loss isn’t enough to mask the team’s deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball and that’s Quinn’s area of expertise.

Recap: The Redskins made their way to Minnesota for a prime time reunion with quarterback Kirk Cousins. This Thursday night clash saw Bill Callahan’s club bend but not break when it came to the Vikings reaching the end zone. Despite surrendering 434 total yards, the ‘Skins limited Minnesota to one touchdown, four field goals and a total of 19 points. Unfortunately for Washington, quarterback Case Keenum (who wound up giving way to rookie Dwayne Haskins after suffering a concussion) and the team’s offense picked up a mere 216 total yards and just three field goals. The troubled Redskins fell to 0-6 this season when facing a team in its own conference.

Next Week: The Redskins make their way to Orchard Park for the first time since 2011 to take on the improved Bills and one of the better defensive units in the league. Callahan’s club does get a few extra days to prepare for that Buffalo defense. Washington came away with a 35-25 home win four years ago in the last game in this series.

Playoff hopes: Twice now – first due to inefficiency and now injury – Keenum has given way to Haskins during a game. That’s a very tough situation for any quarterback, much less a rookie. So will the first-round pick get the starting nod this Sunday at Buffalo? And the 1-7 Redskins have to run the table in order to post a winning season.

Next: Nos. 28 and 27