2019 NFL power rankings, Week 15: 49ers impress, Patriots depressed
45. . 5-8. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 18. team
Recap: Off their fourth victory of the season and first sweep of the rival Chargers since 2015, the Broncos made their way to Houston to take on the AFC South leaders. And rookie quarterback Drew Lock was simply sensational as he and the Denver offense carved up the Texans’ defensive unit. He connected on 22 of his 27 throws for 309 yards and three touchdowns (1 interception) and made it look easy against the Texans’ defense. Vic Fangio’s team made life difficult for Deshaun Watson, sacking him three times and stealing two of his passes. All told, Denver came up with three takeaways and owned a 38-3 lead in the third quarter in one of the season’s real stunners.
Next Week: The Broncos make their way to Arrowhead Stadium looking to end a long losing streak to the rival Chiefs while hoping to avoid being swept by Andy Reid’s team for the fourth consecutive year. On a Thursday night at Denver (Week 7), Fangio’s team fell, 30-6. The Broncos have dropped eight consecutive games in this series.
Playoff Hopes: There’s still a chance but the Broncos are simply running out of time and the teams that they need to lose keep on winning. Lock’s promising performance, albeit only two games, has to have general manager John Elway smiling. And give Fangio and his staff credit as these Broncos have shown a never-say-die attitude.
6-7. Previous: . Dallas Cowboys. 17. team. 123.
Recap: It was a battle of teams that won division titles in 2018 but both the Cowboys and Chicago Bears owned 6-6 records as Dallas invaded Soldier Field on Thursday night. Jason Garrett’s team took the game’s opening drive and marched 75 yards on 17 plays, ate up 8:57 of the clock and took a 7-0 lead. And similar to their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bills, it was all downhill after that as the Bears scored the next 24 points of the game and took control. Dallas’ disappointing defense gave up 151 yards on the ground and surrendered three touchdown passes to Mitch Trubisky. And it may have been worse of Garrett’s club had not come up with a pair of takeaways in the contest.
Next Week: Garrett’s slumping club was back home and with a little extra time to prepare for the Los Angeles Rams. The clubs met a year ago in the NFC Divisional Playoffs and the Cowboys fell on the road, 30-22. And Dallas also dropped a 35-30 decision two years ago at home the last time the franchise hosted the series.
Playoff Hopes: The Cowboys have dropped three straight games for the second time this season and now own a dismal 3-7 record in their last 10 outings after bolting to a 3-0 start. But the club remains atop the NFC East (for now) because of that 4-0 divisional record. It’s safe to say that this team is out of sync on both sides of the ball.
Next: Nos. 16 and 15