2019 NFL power rankings, Week 15: 49ers impress, Patriots depressed

Recap: Matt Nagy’s squad trailed the first-place Green Bay Packers by three games with four weeks to play as they hosted the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. The Bears had won three of their last four games heading into the prime time clash and after spotting the visitors a 7-0 lead, it was all Nagy’s team as improving quarterback Mitch Trubisky overcame an early interception and would throw for 244 yards and three scores and also ran 23 yards for a touchdown as the usually-dormant Chicago offense finished with 382 total yards – including 151 rushing. The Bears would allow 24 points and 408 total yards but the defense played better after a rough start.

Next Week: It’s the latest installment of one of the league’s most storied rivalries as the Bears head to Lambeau Field looking to avenge a Thursday night home loss to the Packers, 10-3, back in Week 1. Chicago has dropped three straight at Lambeau Field, including last year’s “memorable” 24-23 Sunday night setback in Week 1.

Playoff Hopes: The Bears are now one game above .500 and remain in the postseason hunt. But they still trail both the 10-3 Packers and 9-4 Vikings in the NFC North with three games remaining and have to visit both Green Bay and Minnesota down the stretch. Chicago’s offense has played better lately but the team is running out of time.

Recap: Back in Week 5 on a Thursday night at Seattle, the Rams squandered an opportunity to knock off the Seahawks when usually-reliable Greg Zuerlein missed a 44-yard field goal in the closing moments. Now the club was looking to avoid being swept in this series for the first time since 2013. But it was all Los Angeles on this evening as quarterback Jared Goff did throw a pair of interceptions (including a pick-six) but also connected for two scores and 293 yards. The Rams rolled up 455 total yards and four touchdowns while Wade Phillips’ defensive unit kept the Seahawks’ offense out of the end zone and limited Pete Carroll’s club to only 308 total yards.

Next Week: The Rams head to Arlington for the second time in three seasons as these playoff foes from a year ago renew acquaintances in the regular season for the first time since ’17. Including last season’s 30-22 home playoff win, Los Angeles has won two straight in this storied series, including a wild 35-30 road victory two years ago.

Playoff Hopes: McVay’s offensive unit was gotten its act together the last few weeks but give credit to Phillips’ defense as well, which has done a great job the last few weeks in solid victories over the Cardinals and Seahawks. And after some bumpy moments, the defending NFC champs still have a pulse in terms of returning to the playoffs.

Next: Nos. 12 and 11