2019 NFL power rankings, Week 13: Jets soar, Eagles grounded
124. . 7-4. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 10. team
Recap: The reigning AFC West champions held on in the closing minute last Monday night to edge out the Los Angeles Chargers. Andy Reid’s team has already lost as many games as it did all of last season. And this club, while still formidable, doesn’t seem to have the same zip on either side of the football. That’s really distressing and somewhat confusing considering the Kansas City defense, overhauled this offseason in many aspects (including the coordinator) continues to have its issues – most notably against the run. Talented Patrick Mahomes remains arguably the most dangerous quarterback in the game but he and the Chiefs’ offense has had health issues.
Next Week: Reid’s team returns to action and it’s a rematch with the rival Oakland Raiders. Back in Week 2 in the Bay Area, the Chiefs scored 28 points in the second quarter, erased a 10-point first-quarter deficit and posted an 18-point victory after a scoreless second half. Kansas City owns an 11-2 mark in this series dating back to 2013.
Playoff hopes: The Chiefs not only own a 3-0 record vs. their AFC West rivals, all of those victories have come on the road – including the 24-17 triumph at Mexico City which was technically a Chargers’ home game. Reid’s first-place club is certainly flawed but remains the best team in their division. But can that defense up its performance?
Houston Texans. 9. team. 10. . 7-4. Previous:
Recap: The Texans were looking for a little revenge on Thursday night as they hosted the Indianapolis Colts. Bill O’Brien’s club had dropped their last three overall meetings with this AFC South rival, including a 30-23 decision in Week 7 at Indianapolis. It was a night of big plays by Deshaun Watson and the Houston offense as quarterback Deshaun Watson, who threw one interception on the evening, rolled up 298 yards through the air mainly due to the dangerous duo of speedy Will Fuller and reliable DeAndre Hopkins. The former hauled in seven balls for 140 yards while the Pro Bowl wide receiver added six grabs for 94 yards and both of the Texans’ touchdowns.
Next Week: The Texans have a little extra time to prepare for a team that has given them all kinds of issues. A year ago at Foxborough, Houston fell to the Patriots, 27-20, on the opening Sunday of the season. Including playoff losses in 2012 and ’16, the Texans have dropped eight straight in the series and are 1-10 lifetime vs. the Pats.
Playoff hopes: O’Brien’s team bounced back nicely after the lopsided loss at Baltimore and took care of business at home against the tough-minded Colts. Houston not only owns a 3-1 record within the division but a solid 6-2 mark vs. their conference foes. And the defending AFC South champions play three of their final five games at home.
Next: Nos. 8 and 7