2019 NFL power rankings, Week 13: Jets soar, Eagles grounded

Recap: The heartbreaking 24-17 Monday night loss to the rival Chiefs at Mexico City saw the Chargers dominate Kansas City in the first half but couldn’t capitalize. That’s been the story of a team that has also given up the ball 20 times in 11 contests – one more miscue than a year ago. Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers served up a combined seven interceptions in the back-to-back losses to the Raiders (3) and Chiefs (4) and has all but four (16) of the team’s aforementioned turnover total. Even though Joey Bosa (8.5) and Melvin Ingram (5.5) have combined for 14 of the team’s 25 sacks, the defense has been very spotty and has desperately missed safety Derwin James.

Next Week: The Bolts get back on the field and look for their first divisional win of 2019 as they head to the Mile High City to face the Broncos. Back in Week 5 at Los Angeles, Lynn’s club fell behind early and a rally came up short, 20-13. These clubs have split their two-game set each of the previous three seasons dating back to 2016.

Playoff hopes: Simply put, it’s been a forgettable year for the Bolts. They’ve dropped all three of their games to their AFC West rivals, two of those as the home team, and still have to make visits to both Denver and Kansas City. And a club that lost only one regular-season road game in ‘18 owns a disappointing 2-3 mark away from home.

Recap: After winning four straight games, the reeling Panthers had dropped three of their last four contests heading into an NFC South showdown with the Saints at the Superdome. Ron Rivera’s club would fall behind 14-0 in the first quarter and were down by 13 points in the second half. But this scrappy club would battle back and forge a tie with 9:23 to play. However, it was a rough outing for kicker Joey Slye, who missed two PATs and a potential game-winning field goal in the closing minutes from 28 yards out. The Saints would march down the field 65 yards and a field goal at the gun would hand Carolina their third consecutive loss and fifth setback in six games.

Next Week: Rivera’s team hosts the Redskins for the first time since 2015 as these teams clash for the fourth time in five seasons. A year ago at Washington (Week 6), the Panthers came up short via a 23-17 setback. Prior to that loss, Carolina had won the previous five meetings dating back to 2009 – three of those triumphs coming at home.

Playoff hopes: The club’s once-promising record now sits one game under .500. Sunday’s loss at the Superdome was indeed a bitter pill to swallow as the Panthers certainly had their opportunities to pull off the upset. This appears to be a team with some talent and may still have a say in who ultimately wins the NFC South in 2019.

Next: Nos. 18 and 17