2019 NFL power rankings, Week 14: Bengals prevail, Colts collapse
. 9-3. Previous: . Green Bay Packers. 8. team. 49
Recap: Matt LaFleur’s club was still licking its wounds after a rough Sunday night at San Francisco and headed to New Jersey to face a New York Giants’ club that had dropped seven straight games entering Sunday. But veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers found Big Blue’s shaky defense more to his liking as he would throw for 243 yards and four touchdowns without an interception at snowy MetLife Stadium. The ball-hawking Green Bay defense certainly took advantage of rookie Daniel Jones as Mike Pettine’s unit picked him off three times. Perhaps the best news for the NFC North leaders was the fact that Rodgers was not sacked all day, a huge departure from a week ago.
Next Week: The Packers take on an NFC East club for the second consecutive Sunday as they host the Washington Redskins for the first time since 2013. Green Bay has dropped two straight in this series dating back to 2016, both at Washington, but the Pack came away with a 38-20 win in ’13 when the teams last met at Lambeau Field.
Playoff hopes: While the Giants didn’t pose that much of a challenge, LaFleur and the Packers were more than happy to take advantage of one of the worst defensive units in the league. It was a good opportunity for Rodgers and company to feel better themselves after the loss to the 49ers. And Green Bay is still in first in the NFC North.
Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 7. team. 16. . 9-3
Recap: The Bills made their first Thanksgiving Day appearance since 1994 and traveled to Dallas for the first time since 2011 as these two-time Super Bowl foes renewed acquaintances. Sean McDermott’s team was down 7-0 after one quarter but would take control of the game for the remainder of the afternoon. Both quarterback Josh Allen (to Cole Beasley) and wide receiver John Brown (to Devin Singletary) threw touchdown passes in the second quarter and the Buffalo pass rush got to Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott four times while coming up with a pair of takeaways. The Bills did not commit a turnover and led by Singletary and Allen the team rushed for 124 yards.
Next Week: The streaking Bills play host to the AFC North leaders as the Baltimore Ravens invade Orchard Park for the first time since 2013. In fact, it’s just the third time Buffalo will host this series in nine meetings between the clubs. Last season in Week 1 at Baltimore, McDermott’s club was rolled by the eventual AFC North champs, 47-3.
Playoff hopes: All signs point to the Bills grabbing a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons. That’s quite a turnaround for a franchise that missed the postseason 17 consecutive years from 2000-16. But there’s still some work to be done via a tricky schedule that includes the Ravens and trips to both Pittsburgh and New England.
Next: Nos. 6 and 5