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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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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 01: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 01: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

42. . 10-2. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 2. team

Recap: The NFC West frontrunners headed east to Baltimore as Kyle Shanahan’s squad took on the blistering-hot Ravens in what some were calling a Super Bowl LIV preview. San Francisco entered the week with the league’s top-ranked defense and with an NFL-best 44 sacks. But they had also had their issues against the run and they wound up allowing 178 yards on the ground to Lamar Jackson (101) and company. The 49ers got 174 yards rushing and and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw a first-quarter touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel to give his club the early lead. But he also committed his 15th turnover of the season and Shanahan’s offense did little in the second half.

Next Week: The much-improved 49ers are on the road for the second straight week and take on another division leader in the New Orleans Saints. It’s San Francisco’s first appearance at the Superdome since posting a 27-24 win five seasons ago. These one-time divisional rivals have split their last four meetings dating back to 2012.

Playoff hopes: The Niners came into the day needing a win over the Ravens and a Rams’ loss to clinch a playoff berth. But neither happened and the team has a tricky remaining schedule, starting with next Sunday’s trip to New Orleans. Shanahan had to be pleased in some aspects as the defense kept Baltimore in check for the most part.

26. . 10-2. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 1. team

Recap: John Harbaugh’s surging squad took a seven-game winning streak into a big-time interconference battle with the San Francisco 49ers, who had lost just once in their first 11 contests. The Ravens were leading the NFL in scoring entering Week 13 and wound up totaling a season-low 20 points against the NFL’s top-ranked defensive unit. And Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense managed only 283 total yards and struggled on third down. But he did run for 101 yards and one score and the Ravens did barely outrun the 49ers (178-174). After giving up a pair of first-half touchdowns, Harbaugh’s squad limited the Niners to 119 yards and a field goal in the final 30 minutes.

Next Week: The Ravens make their way to Orchard Park for the first time since 2013 as they clash with the Bills for the second consecutive year and the third time in four seasons. Back on the opening Sunday of 2018, Baltimore came away with a lopsided 47-3 home win. The Ravens’ last appearance at Buffalo resulted in a 23-20 loss in ’13.

More fansided.com: Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

Playoff hopes: After winning their previous five games by a combined 140 points, Harbaugh’s club fell behind early but showed their scrappiness in making it eight consecutive wins. Baltimore’s defense was challenged and it had its problems slowing down the 49ers’ ground game. But Don Martindale’s unit rose to those occasion when needed.

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