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

Recap: Ron Rivera’s club had dropped three straight and four of their last five games to slip below the .500 mark as they welcomed the Washington Redskins to Charlotte. The Panthers opened up a 14-0 lead with 5:19 remaining in the first quarter thanks to a pair of touchdown passes by Kyle Allen to Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore, respectively. But it was pretty much all Redskins for a spell as the visitors scored the next 29 points of the game. Carolina would wind up surrendering 362 total yards by game’s end, including 248 on the ground on 30 carries. And the slumping Allen committed two more turnovers as the struggling signal-caller was sacked seven times in the crippling loss

Next Week: The Panthers make their way to Atlanta looking to end their recent losing ways in this setting. In Week 11 at Charlotte, Rivera’s team was humbled as Allen was sacked five time and picked off on four occasions in a 29-3 setback. Carolina is now 1-7 in the last eight games in this rivalry and has lost four straight games at Atlanta.

Playoff hopes: The collapse in Carolina continues as Rivera’s club squandered a big lead at home on the way to a fourth straight loss. It was also the third consecutive game in which the Panthers allowed at least 29 points. A once-promising start has morphed into a season that is become somewhat reminiscent of last season’s showing.

Recap: Off a perplexing 31-point road loss to the New York Jets, Jon Gruden’s club was hoping to avoid another loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Back in Week 2 in Oakland, the Silver and Black fell by a 28-10 score, this after jumping out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead. This time, things were much worse as Kansas City scored the first 31 points of the game (21 in the first half) and the rout was on. Rookie running back Josh Jacobs continued to be a bright spot, totaling 104 yards on the ground on 17 carries. And emerging tight end Darren Waller totaled 100 yards receiving on seven grabs. But Derek Carr served up a pick-six and had two of the team’s three turnovers.

Next Week: The Raiders host the Tennessee Titans for the first time since 2013 looking to continue their recent ways in this series. Oakland has won the last three meetings between the clubs, all on the road, the latest a 26-16 victory two years ago. But it was the Titans who came up with a 23-19 victory at Oakland six seasons ago.

Playoff hopes: After looking like a team on the rise, Gruden’s team has hit the road these past two weeks and been humbled via the Jets and Chiefs by a combined 74-12 count. Oakland’s defense has lost its bite the last few games. But a home victory over the surging Tennessee Titans could change things dramatically for the Raiders.

Next: Nos. 18 and 17