2019 NFL power rankings, Week 13: Jets soar, Eagles grounded
5-6. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 18. team. 57.
Recap: The lackluster Bears’ offense was hoping to get well against the New York Giants defense that was among one of the poorer units in the league in 2019. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky got the start and while he had his ups and downs, he finished the afternoon throwing for 278 yards and one touchdown while overcoming a pair of interceptions. The much-maligned signal-caller also ran seven times for 18 yards and another score. Wideout Allen Robinson totaled six catches for 131 yards and was on the receiving end of Trubisky’s aerial score. Khalil Mack has had a somewhat quiet 2019, but he finished with three tackles and a sack of Daniel Jones that resulted in a fumble.
Next Week: The Bears will again spend Turkey Day in the Motor City as they renew acquaintances with the Lions for the second time in four games. In Week 11 at Soldier Field, Trubisky wound up throwing three touchdown passes in a 20-13 win – Chicago’s third straight victory in this rivalry after losing nine of the previous 10 meetings.
Playoff hopes: Once again, it was far from pretty in regards to the Chicago offense. Regardless of what it looked like, the defending NFC North champions are a win away from getting back to the .500 mark. Unfortunately, even if the Bears manage to go a run to close the season, 10 wins may not be enough to reach the playoffs in the NFC.
Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 17. team. 53. . 5-6
Recap: Down a few defensive linemen following last week’s brawl versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Browns were looking for their third consecutive victory as they hosted the improving Miami Dolphins. The Cleveland offense was on point all day as running back Nick Chubb ran 21 times for 106 yards and one score, quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns (1 interceptions) and wide receiver Jarvis Landry hauled in 10 passes for 148 yards and two scores. Minus Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi, the Browns managed four sacks as Sheldon Richardson came up big. And heady linebacker Joe Schobert picked off two passes for the second straight week.
Next Week: It’s a rematch with the Steelers, this time in Pittsburgh where the Browns haven’t won since 2003 – a stretch of 15 straight losses. In Week 11, Cleveland snapped an eight-game winless streak in this rivalry with a 21-7 victory at home in volatile Thursday night affair. The Browns haven’t swept this always-intense series since 1988.
Playoff hopes: Kitchens’ club is starting to get its act together on the offensive side of the ball and that’s a big reason for the club’s current three-game winning streak. Now the Browns are in position to get back to .500 if they can do something the franchise hasn’t managed since 2003. But is the AFC North title out of range for this club?
Next: Nos. 16 and 15