2019 NFL power rankings, Week 14: Bengals prevail, Colts collapse

Recap: The Colts had a little extra time to prepare for their second meeting of the season with the Titans as Frank Reich’s club was in position to sweep this series for the second consecutive year. And all appeared to be going to form as Indianapolis owned a 17-7 lead in the third quarter and Matt Eberflus’ defense was effectively harassing Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill. But the visitors would score the final 24 points of the game as the Titans’ balanced offense settled down and the Colts’ pass rush wasn’t nearly as effective in the second half. And the game swung when Adam Vinatieri had a field goal attempt blocked and returned for a score late in the fourth quarter.

Next Week: Reich’s team makes its way south to Tampa for the first time since 2011 as the Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers renew acquaintances for the first time since 2015. In the clubs’ last meeting, Indianapolis came away with a 25-12 home win. But in the Colts’ last appearance at Tampa in ’11, the team lost on Monday night, 24-17.

Playoff hopes: Up by 10 points in your own building and with a defensive unit that was harassing the opposing quarterback, it’s somewhat hard to believe that the Colts allowed the Titans to score the final 24 points of the game. Reich’s team saw his offense, defense and special teams all falter in the second half in a very costly loss.

Recap: The reeling Rams were coming off a dismal 45-6 Monday night loss at home to the red-hot Baltimore Ravens. Now the reigning NFC champions would take on the well-rested Cardinals in the desert, a place where the Rams had won in each of the previous four seasons. And once again, Sean McVay’s club made easy work of Arizona as quarterback Jared God threw for a whopping 424 yards and two scores, Todd Gurley added 95 yards rushing and one touchdown and Los Angeles amassed 549 total yards. There was a pick six of Cardinals’ quarterback Kyle Murray and six sacks as well. The Rams have won the last five games in this series by a combined 164-32 score.

Next Week: The Rams play host to the surging Seahawks as Los Angeles looks to avenge a heartbreaking 30-29 Thursday night loss in Week 5 at Seattle. That snapped Los Angeles’ three-game winning streak in this NFC West rivalry. But dating back to 2015, the Rams have still prevailed in six of the last nine meetings in this series.

Playoff hopes: The 49ers’ loss at Baltimore on Sunday was good news for McVay and company as the Rams remained mathematically in the hunt for the NFC West title and the playoffs as well. There’s still a lot ahead for this team and next week’s showdown with the visiting Seahawks is crucial. But was this win merely a mirage?

Next: Nos. 12 and 11