Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 16
Next
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 28: Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) calls out signals under Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a regular season game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions on November 28, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 28: Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) calls out signals under Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a regular season game between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions on November 28, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

50. . 3-8-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 26. team

Recap: With Matthew Stafford out and Jeff Driskel nursing a hamstring injury, Matt Patricia turned to undrafted David Blough on Thanksgiving against the visiting Bears. Three weeks earlier, the Lions fell at Soldier Field, 20-13, and were looking to avoid being swept in this series for the second straight season. Things looked promising as Detroit’s third different starting quarterback in 2019 threw a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes to Kenny Golladay (75 yards) and Marvin Jones Jr. (8 yards), respectively. But that would be the only times the Lions would reach the end zone. And the Lions’ defense gave up a 90-yard TD drive in the fourth quarter in this latest setback.

Next Week: Patricia’s disappointing club gets a few extra days to prepare for their rematch with the Vikings. Back in Week 7 at Ford Field, the Lions lost a 42-30 shootout. Detroit has now dropped four straight in this longtime rivalry. However, it’s worth noting that the Men from Motown’s last win in the series came in 2017 at Minnesota.

Draft Talk: Things did not come together for this team as some expected in 2019. And now the Lions will have missed the playoffs three straight years, the last two under Patricia. Injuries have played a big part in what has wrong this season. But that doesn’t explain everything and it could be an offseason of decisions in the Motor City.

Recap: The Redskins were looking for their second consecutive victory as they headed south to Charlotte to take on the slumping Panthers. Bill Callahan’s club fell behind 14-0 before responding with the next 29 points of the afternoon. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw for only 147 yards and was sacked five times but he and the team did not turn over the football. Meanwhile, a relentless Washington ground attack led by Derrius Guise and veteran Adrian Peterson rolled up an impressive 248 yards on just 30 attempts. The former ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns and Peterson added 99 yards and a score. Meanwhile, the ‘Skins racked up seven sacks of their own.

Next Week: The Redskins head to Lambeau Field for the first time since 2013 as they take on the Packers for the fourth time in five seasons. One of those meetings was a 35-18 loss in the 2015 NFC Wild Card Playoffs at FedExField. Washington has prevailed in the last two clashes, including a 31-17 home win a year ago (Week 3).

Playoff hopes: While the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles continue to have their problems, the Redskins have suddenly strung together two straight wins and as strange as it may sound are still in the mix when it comes to an NFC East title. That may not be saying much these days but a chance to get to the postseason is still in play.

Next: Nos. 24 and 23

Home/NFL Power Rankings