2019 NFL power rankings, Week 12: Falcons rolling, Texans rolled

Recap: Mike Zimmer’s squad hosted the well-rested Denver Broncos and the Vikings were one win away from matching last season’s victory total. But outgained 217-47 in the first half and was limited to just 14 yards on the ground, the Purple Gang trailed 20-0 at intermission and were down by 16 points entering the fourth quarter. But savvy Kirk Cousins overcame five sacks and a lost fumble by finishing with 310 yards through the air and three scores as Minnesota scored the final 20 points of the game and staved off a late Denver drive. Cousins came up big on an afternoon in which running back Dalvin Cook was limited to  just 26 yards rushing on 11 carries.

Next Week: Zimmer’s club has the week off but when it gets back to business, it’s a Monday night meeting with the Seahawks in Seattle. What is really notable about the stretch run for the Purple Gang is that they will play three divisional games in the final four weeks – home tilts with the Lions, Packers and Bears, respectively.

Playoff hopes: With the Packers off in Week 10, the Purple Gang now has as many victories (8) as does the NFC North leaders. The Vikings also own as many wins as they did in all of that disappointing 2018 showing. And these days, it is Cousins and a talented offensive unit that is carrying the load – a big change from previous seasons.

Recap: First-time NFL head coach Matt LaFleur has pushed the right buttons for the most part this season as the division-leading Packers have already won two more games than the club managed a year ago. Talented signal-caller Aaron Rodgers continues his impressive play and is getting more help from the running game these days as versatile Aaron Jones has rushed for 589 yards and 11 scores and is second on the team with 35 grabs, three for touchdowns. In his second year on the job, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has seen his unit make strides. The team has gotten a combined 18.5 sacks from Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, but stopping the run is a problem.

Next Week: Flexed into prime time, the Packers and 49ers will meet at Levi’s Stadium. It’s the second consecutive year the clubs will meet under the light as Green Bay rallied for a 33-30 win a year ago (Week 6) on a Monday night at Lambeau Field. The Pack came up with 17-3 win four years ago in their last appearance at San Francisco.

Playoff hopes: From 2009-16, Green Bay reached the playoff each of those eight seasons and did capture a Super Bowl in ’10. These previous two years saw the club suffer through losing campaigns but it’s been a rebound of major proportion for this franchise. The Minnesota Vikings are right on the Packers’ tail and that’s a good thing.

Next: Nos. 4 and 3