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

Recap: The franchise opted to place quarterback Cam Newton on injured reserve early last week. On the field, Ron Rivera’s team looked to make it two straight wins in a row and six victories in their last seven contests via a visit to Lambeau Field. Running back Christian McCaffrey rushed 20 times for 108 yards and one score and added 33 yards on six receptions. And quarterback Kyle Allen overcame three sacks by throwing for 307 yards and one touchdown. But he also committed the only two turnovers of the game. Carolina’s defense once again had problems stopping an opponent on the ground – surrendering a disappointing 163 yards rushing in a tough eight-point setback.

Next Week: Rivera’s club is back home and host a team that has been an albatross in recent years. The Panthers have lost three in a row to the Falcons and are 1-6 in their last seven meetings in this series. In 2018, Carolina was swept for the second time in three years, falling 31-24 at Atlanta (Week 2) and 24-10 at home in Week 16.

Playoff hopes: It was an odd afternoon in the NFC South as the Panthers and first-place New Orleans Saints both took it on the chin while the struggling Falcons and Buccaneers came away with wins. Once again, Carolina’s run defense was pushed around and in some ways that shortcoming eventually proved to be the difference.

Recap: It’s a short week for the Silver and Black as they hosted the Los Angeles Chargers in a Thursday night tilt. Quarterback Derek Carr has been sharp as of late, but it was the Oakland defense that ultimately told the story of this game. Coordinator Paul Guenther’s unit finished the evening with five sacks and picked off Chargers’ veteran Philip Rivers three times. Two of those thefts came courtesy of safety Erik Harris, who returned the second ball 56 yards for a score in the first quarter that helped give Jon Gruden’s team an early 10-0 lead. Still, it took some late heroics from Carr and rookie running back Josh Jacobs, whose 18-yard score with 1:02 to play was the difference.

Next Week: The Raiders host the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time since ’15 looking to snap a three-game losing streak in this setting. Last season in the Queen City, the Silver and Black was on the wrong end of a 30-16 score. And in the aforementioned trio of losses to the Bengals, the Raiders have gone down by a combined 97-39 count.

Playoff hopes: The Raiders are back above the .500 mark and their five victories are already one more than the club managed a year ago. The Oakland defense came to play on Thursday night and that was an encouraging sign. The team’s last playoff appearance came three years ago and Gruden’s Raiders are now 4-2 in their last six games.

Next: Nos. 14 and 13