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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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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after intercepting Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter of a football game at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after intercepting Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter of a football game at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

5-7. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 18. team. 48.

Recap: The unpredictable Buccaneers didn’t have to travel far on Sunday as they made their way to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars in a battle of 4-7 clubs. Quarterback Jameis Winston had his share of success and issues in the team’s 35-22 win at Atlanta one week ago. Bruce Arians’ club got off to an impressive start and owned a 25-0 halftime advantage as the Bucs’ defense forced Nick Foles into three first-half turnovers. One of those was a fumble scooped up by rookie linebacker Devin White and returned 14 yards for a score. Winston did lose a fumble himself but also overcame four sacks and threw for 268 yards albeit without a touchdown or interception.

Next Week: It’s a second consecutive clash with a team from the AFC South as Winston and company take on the Colts. Seven years ago, Bruce Arians took over for then-Indianapolis’ head coach Chuck Pagano when the latter was dealing with medical issues, led the team to the playoffs and wound up earning NFL Coach of the Year honors.

Playoff hopes: Arians and company were able to stave off playoff elimination thanks to another win. One positive that the Buccaneers can take from this season is the fact that they currently own a 4-3 road mark, quite the turnaround for a club that one won game away from home a year ago. You have to crawl before you can walk.

17. team. 53. . 5-7. Previous: . Cleveland Browns

Recap: Winners of three straight games, the Browns had a chance to sweep the rival Steelers for the first time since 1988 if they could win a game in Pittsburgh for the first time since 2003. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and his team opened up a 10-0 advantage and the Cleveland defense had shackled the Steelers’ offense early. But just when it looked like Freddie Kitchens’ club was in control, the Browns began to give up their share of big plays. Meanwhile, Mayfield and the offense was limited to 96 total yards and a field goal in the second half while the second-year signal-caller was sacked five times and committed a pair of turnovers in the seven-point setback.

Next Week: The Browns take on their intrastate AFC North rivals as they host the Cincinnati Bengals. Last season, Cleveland swept this series for the first time since 2002 and snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series in the process. In the two wins in 2018, Mayfield threw for a combined 542 yards, seven scores and zero interceptions.

Playoff hopes: The Browns’ playoff hopes certainly took a shot on Sunday but the AFC is still filled with teams not leading their divisions that have lacked consistency this season. It may take just a strong finish to steal a wild card berth. What is now out of Cleveland’s reach is the AFC North title as they now trail the Ravens by five games.

Next: Nos. 16 and 15

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