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

Recap: Last week, Jameis Winston and company rallied for a wild win over the visiting Cardinals. Now the Bucs were looking to avoid being swept by the New Orleans Saints for the first time since 2014. Last time these clubs met, it was quarterback Teddy Bridgewater at the helm for Sean Payton’s team. This time around, it was Drew Brees who had his way with the Tampa defense – throwing for 228 yards without an interception as Bruce Arians’ team was down 20-0 in the second quarter. The Buccaneers would make a game of it and cut the deficit in half late in the third quarter. But one of Winston’s four interceptions was returned 55 yards for the game’s last touchdown.

Next Week: The Buccaneers hit the road and face a divisional foe for the second straight week as they collide with the Atlanta Falcons for the first time this year. Tampa Bay has dropped five straight meetings in this series dating back to the clubs’ second clash in ’16. The Bucs have allowed 34-plus points in four of those last five meetings.

Playoff hopes: This year figured to be a little different with Arians at the helm. However, the mistakes continue to plague this team and Winston can’t seem to get out of his own way when it comes to throwing the football to the other team. Meanwhile, Todd Bowles’ once-promising defensive unit has slumped in a major way as well.

Recap: The Jaguars returned to action after a week off and took on the Colts at Indianapolis. Veteran quarterback Nick Foles was back in the starting lineup for Doug Marrone’s team for the first time since Week 1. And the Super Bowl LII hero found wide receiver D.J. Chark for a 34-yard score midway through the first quarter to take an early lead. But it was basically all Colts the rest of the way as the Jacksonville defense was shredded for 264 yards on the ground and gave up a pair of 100-yard rushers. Meanwhile, the Jaguars were limited to 29 yards rushing on nine attempts. Foles threw for 296 yards and two scores to Chark but was also picked off once in the 20-point loss.

Next Week: It’s a third consecutive clash with a divisional foe as the Jaguars head to Nashville in position to sweep the Titans for the first time since 2005. In Week 3 on a Thursday night at Jacksonville, Marrone’s team totaled nine sacks of Marcus Mariota in a 20-7 win. The Jaguars have also dropped five straight at Tennessee dating back to ’14.

Playoff hopes: The odd season for Marrone’s team continues as the club has dropped two straight games for the third time this year. That’s been offset by a pair of two-game winning streaks as the Jaguars have become the NFL’s rollercoaster team of 2019. And once again, Jacksonville’s run defense has been a major Achilles’ heel.

Next: Nos. 22 and 21