2019 NFL power rankings, Week 11: Steelers jumping, Chiefs slumping

Recap: Winners of three straight games, Mike Tomlin’s opportunistic club hosted the defending NFC champion Rams, who were off last week. Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph and the offense would get off to a rocky start as a bad shotgun snap would result in a defensive touchdown for Los Angeles. But Pittsburgh’s defense and special teams made plays all afternoon. There were four sacks and four more takeaways, raising the team’s total this season to 26 in nine games. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned a Jared Goff fumble 43 yards for a score and also had the game-clinching interception in the closing minute. Rudolph threw for 242 yards and one touchdown.

Next Week: It’s not only a short week and but a short trip for Tomlin’s team as the Steelers head to Cleveland for the first of two meetings over a three-game span with the Browns. It safe to say that the Black and Gold have dominated this series for quite a spell – although the teams played to a 21-all tie in Cleveland (Week 1) last season.

Playoff hopes: A year ago, the Houston Texans lost their first three games and rallied to win the AFC South. It marked only the sixth time in NFL history that a team had rallied from a 0-3 start to reach the postseason. Is Tomlin’s team primed to do something similar in 2019? These Steelers obviously aren’t interested in style points.

Recap: This is a very talented team that has shown signs of being a championship contender. But it’s also a club that has had far too many inexplicable performances, hence the Eagles’ mediocre win-loss record after nine games. But after falling to the Vikings and Cowboys and surrendering a combined 75 points in those road losses, Doug Pederson’s club has bounced back nicely with solid wins over the Bills and Bears. Quarterback Carson Wentz has thrown for 2,060 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to only four interceptions but has had his ups and downs. Jim Schwartz’s defense has played better lately but like the entire team, consistency has been the problem.

Next Week: The Eagles play host to the New England Patriots for the first time since 2011 as these franchises clash for the first time since Philadelphia came away with a 41-33 victory in Super Bowl LII. As for the clubs’ last regular-season meeting, the Eagles rolled into Foxborough four years ago and came away with a wild 35-28 win.

Playoff hopes: The Birds remain within earshot of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East and will get another shot at the division leaders in Week 16 at Philadelphia. What’s been most impressive as of late is the fact that the offense is getting back to running the ball. That philosophy paid off well two years ago on the way to a Super Bowl title.

Next: Nos. 12 and 11