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

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Marlon Mack #25 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Marlon Mack #25 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 10: Wide Receiver Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants has the second of two Touchdowns against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images).
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 10: Wide Receiver Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants has the second of two Touchdowns against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images). /

New York Giants. 30. team. 31. . 2-8. Previous:

Recap: Pat Shurmur’s club took a six-game losing streak into the team’s off-week. Some of the positives seen this season have been offset by the fact that the Giants haven’t made much progress in a number of areas. Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones has displayed plenty of promise but has struggled mightily with ball security. Of course, New York’s offensive line has not done a great job protecting him. It’s been a bit of a down year for running back Saquon Barkley due to injury. On the other side of the ball, the Giants’ defense has been abysmal and that’s being polite. This is a team that needs some major revamping in the trenches and needs to do it with youth.

Next Week: Two of the NFL’s legendary franchises clash for the third time in four years as the well-rested Giants head to Chicago for the first time since 2013. A year ago at MetLife Stadium (Week 13), Shurmur’s team stunned the eventual NFC North champions in overtime, 30-27. The Giants are 4-1 vs. the Bears dating back to 2007.

Playoff hopes: Even if Shurmur’s club closed out the season with nothing but wins, it’s hard to believe that an 8-8 record would be enough to get the club back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. New York’s defense certainly doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence and Jones continues to have his issues hanging onto the football.

team. 32. . 3-7-1. Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 29

Recap: For the second time in less than three weeks, Kliff Kingsbury’s club would face the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers, who were coming off their first loss of the season. Back on a Thursday night in the desert, the Cardinals fell to Kyle Shanahan’s team by three points. This time around, Arizona would own a 16-0 second-quarter lead over the division leaders. But the Cardinals’ awful pass defense allowed Jimmy Garoppolo to throw for 424 yards and four touchdowns for the second time against them in 2019. While they picked off the Niners’ signal-caller twice and owned a 26-23 lead with 6:30 to play, they couldn’t stop the 49ers’ offense down the stretch.

Next Week: Kingsbury’s club has the week off and when the Cards return to the field in Week 13, they will begin a three-game home stand featuring the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, respectively. The game with the defending NFC West champions will be the first of two clashes in the season’s final five weeks.

Playoff hopes: Swept by the 49ers for the first time since 2013, the Cardinals also lost for the first time this season when they owned the lead at halftime. A year ago, Arizona won three games and two of them were against 4-12 San Francisco. How things have changed for both teams. It will be an offseason in search of defensive help.

Next: Nos. 28 and 27

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