2019 NFL power rankings, Week 10: Dolphins win, Patriots don’t
87. . 5-3. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 14. team
Recap: Humbled in the Bay Area by the San Francisco 49ers a week ago, the Panthers returned home to take on the unpredictable Tennessee tights. Carolina’s run defense was exposed big way against San Francisco and it would be interesting to see how Ron Rivera’s club would fare against Derrick Henry and company. The Panthers would build a 17-0 second quarter lead and would keep the Titans at bay all afternoon. It was another big outing for Christian McCaffrey, who scored three touchdowns rushing (2) and receiving (1) and finished with 166 total yards from scrimmage – including 146 on the ground. And Carolina’s defense came up with three Tennessee turnovers.
Next Week: Rivera’s team heads north to Lambeau Field for the first time since 2014 as the Panthers and Green Bay Packers collide for the second time in three seasons. Two years ago at Charlotte, the home team came away with a 31-24 win. The Panthers have prevailed in the last two meetings between the clubs dating back to 2015.
Playoff hopes: Kudos to Rivera and his staff as the Panthers rebounded from a 38-point loss at San Francisco to come up with a quality victory. The defense did its share in terms of takeaways and the team’s potent ground game did the rest. Rivera’s club has some interesting tests coming up soon at Green Bay and at New Orleans.
13. team. 123. . 4-3. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys
Recap: The current NFC East leaders looked to remain perfect within the division as they took on the Giants on Monday night. The club had just over two weeks to prepare for this game and hope to pick up where they left off the last time they took the field. That outing resulted in a 37-10 win over the rival Philadelphia Eagles in prime time at Arlington, snapping a strange three-game losing streak that followed a 3-0 start by Jason Garrett’s club. Dallas’ offense has been potent at times and quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper continue their chemistry. Running back Ezekiel Elliott has quietly enjoyed a big year. But the defense has had its ups and downs.
Next Week: Garrett and company play host to the talented Minnesota Vikings for the first time since 2013 looking to continue their brief two-game winning streak in this series. The Cowboys came away with a 27-23 win at Dallas six years ago and on a Thursday night in ’16, Garrett’s team held on for a 17-15 victory at Minneapolis.
Playoff hopes: While the Cowboys have hardly been a model of consistency, one thing the team has done recently is had success within the division. Garrett’s team is 3-0 vs. its NFC East rivals this season and scored at least 31 points in each of those wins. And on Monday night, they can sweep the New York Giants for the third straight year.
Next: Nos. 12 and 11