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

Recap: Winners of two straight games, Brian Flores’ club squared off with the Buffalo Bills for the second time this season. Earlier this year at Orchard Park (Week), the Dolphins put up a game effort but fell short, 31-21. On Sunday at South Florida, Miami dug itself a 16-0 second-quarter hole and was never able to catch up. The Dolphins’ defense gave up 168 yards on the ground, did not force a turnover, literally watched Josh Allen throw for 256 yards and three scores while never sacking the second-year quarterback. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 323 yards without a score or interception and was sacked seven times by a Buffalo defense that allowed on 23 yards rushing.

Next Week: The Dolphins head north to Cleveland for the first time since 2016 as these teams meet for the first time since ’13. Miami came away with a 30-24 overtime victory three years ago in the last clash between the clubs. The ‘Fins have won two straight games in this series after dropping their previous four meetings with the Browns.

Playoff hopes: After showing signs of life in recent weeks, the Dolphins were somewhat competitive in their second loss of the season to the rival Bills. Fortunately for Flores and his club, the Miami special teams kept the team afloat for some time. But the ‘Fins’ offense spent most of the afternoon trying to get out of its own way.

Recap: The Broncos returned to action after a week off and headed to the Windy City for the first time since 2011 to take on a Minnesota Vikings’ team that head coach Vic Fangio was certainly familiar with due to his recent stay in Chicago. Quarterback Brandon Allen was back as well and he and the offense staked the club to a 20-0 lead at intermission. But there would be only three points in the final two quarters while Denver’s defense – which came up with five sacks of Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins – couldn’t stop the Minnesota offense when it needed to in the second half. Fangio’s Broncos were outscored 20-0 in the fourth quarter in yet another heartbreaking loss.

Next Week: Fangio’s squad is on the road for the second consecutive week as the Broncos head to Orchard Park for the second time in three seasons. Denver would come up short that Sunday, 26-16, to a team that would be playoff bound in 2017. The Men from Mile High have dropped three of their last four meetings with the Bills.

Playoff hopes: Closing out opponents in the fourth quarter has been a real sore spot for Fangio’s club and letting a 20-point lead get away may be the team’s worst moment of 2019. The Broncos did everything you would have thought a team could do to wrap up a victory. But it once again just wasn’t in the cards for this frustrated squad.

Next: Nos. 24 and 23