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

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 01: Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the first half of NFL football game against the New York Jets at Paul Brown Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 01: Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the first half of NFL football game against the New York Jets at Paul Brown Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings on the field during player introductions before the game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings on the field during player introductions before the game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

60. . 8-3. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 6. team

Recap: Mike Zimmer’s team has already equaled the club’s win total of a year ago. The talented Vikings entered the Monday night meeting with the Seahawks with a 6-1 record in their last seven outings. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 2,756 yards and 21 touchdowns. And the oft-criticized signal-caller has turned over the football only six times in 11 outings. Running back Dalvin Cook has remained healthy, running for 1,017 yards and 11 scores and totaling 45 catches for 455 yards. But there have been better version of Zimmer’s defense, which has been a bit erratic. Wideout Adam Thielen was expected to miss the game at Seattle.

Next Week: Off their Monday night showdown at Seattle, Zimmer’s team faces the rival Detroit Lions for the second time this season and look to continue their winning ways in the series. Back in Week 7 at Ford Field, the Vikings survived a 42-30 free-for-all and have now defeated the Lions in the clubs’ last four encounters.

Playoff hopes: With Green Bay’s win over the Giants on Sunday, the Vikings will need to win at Seattle on Monday to keep pace with their NFC North rivals. It won’t be easy against the savvy Seahawks, but Zimmer’s talented team has played much better on the road this season after dropping their first two games away from home this year.

. 9-2. Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 5. team. 36

Recap: Pete Carroll’s resourceful club was not sharp at Philadelphia last Sunday but still scratched out a victory. After 12 weeks of play, only the Patriots (29) and Steelers (28) had forced more turnovers (24) than the Seahawks, who take a four-game winning streak into Monday night’s showdown with Minnesota. Quarterback Russell Wilson has been stellar, throwing two dozen touchdown passes while turning over the football just five times in 11 games. Running back Chris Carson leads the team in rushing but has had issues with fumbles. But even with the team’s opportunistic touch, Carroll’s Seahawks have surrendered 25 offensive touchdowns and a hefty 263 points.

Next Week: Carroll’s club has an opportunity to sweep the Rams for the first time since 2013 as these NFC West rivals clash in prime time for the second time this season. Back in Week 5 on a Thursday night at Seattle, the Seahawks came away with a 30-29 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak to this divisional adversary.

Playoff hopes: Monday night’s showdown with the visiting Vikings could eventually be crucial if neither they nor Minnesota wind up winning their respective division titles. And with the 49ers losing at Baltimore on Sunday, the Seahawks can equal San Francisco’s 10-2 mark with a win over the Vikings. But that will be easier said than done.

Next: Nos. 4 and 3

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