2019 NFL power rankings, Week 16: Cowboys won, 49ers stunned

Recap: Vic Fangio’s club was looking to make it three straight wins as they took on the newly-crowned AFC West champion Chiefs at snowy Arrowhead Stadium. Back in Week 7 on a Thursday night at Denver, the Broncos dropped their eighth consecutive game in this series, 30-6. But these days, rookie quarterback Drew Lock is at the controls for the club. But facing the elements and the Kansas City defense he was able to hit on just 18 of his 40 attempts for 208 yards and was picked off once. The Denver offense managed only 251 yards while Fangio’s defender allowed 419 total yards to Patrick Mahomes and company. Make it nine straight losses to the Chiefs.

Next Week: Fangio’s club owns a 0-3 record vs. the NFC North this season and the Broncos will look to change that as they host the Lions for the first time since 2011. And that did not go well for the home team as the Broncos were humbled, 45-10. But Denver came up with a 24-12 Sunday night win at Detroit in ’15 in the clubs’ last clash.

Draft Talk: The Broncos’ slim postseason chances ended with the loss at Kansas City. And the club will also post its third consecutive losing campaign regardless of what happens the final two weeks of 2019. The team appears to have found a solid quarterbacking prospect in Lock. Can GM John Elway build around the young signal-caller?

Recap: The Silver and Black had been rolled in their previous three games by a combined score of 116-33 in losses to the Jets, Chiefs and Titans, respectively. Now they hosted a Jacksonville Jaguars’ club that was struggling in a worse way via five consecutive lopsided setbacks. Jon Gruden’s team opened up a 16-3 halftime lead and looked like they would put an end to their losing streak. But the Raiders failed to score a point after intermission and watched the Jaguars score a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown. Rookie running back Josh Jacobs ran 24 times for 89 yards and Derek Carr threw for 267 yards and one score. But he was sacked four times in this latest loss.

Next Week: The Silver and Black are in position to sweep the Chargers for the first time since 2016. Back in Week 10 on a Thursday night at Oakland, Gruden’s club came away with a hard-earned 26-24 victory and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Bolts. The Raiders now own a one-game edge (5-4) in this rivalry dating back to ’16.

Playoff Hopes: The Raiders remain alive for a wild card berth despite a fourth straight loss due to the fact that the Steelers fell on Sunday night at home to the now playoff-bound Bills. Things might have been a lot easier had Gruden’s club not squandered a double-digit lead at home. Now Oakland hits the road for the final two weeks.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19