2019 NFL power rankings, Week 17: Bengals are No. 32 but pick No. 1

Recap: Last Monday, the Saints picked up cornerback Janoris Jenkins a few days after being released by the Giants. And New Orleans’ defense could certainly use the help as the club traveled to Nashville to face the Titans. With less than five minutes remaining in the first quarter, Drew Brees and company found themselves behind 14-0. But the Saints’ offense woke up and got a big performance from Alvin Kamara. He ran for 80 yards and two scores, caught six passes for 30 yards and made a key block on a Jared Cook TD reception. The defense would finish with five sacks. But the big headline was Michael Thomas setting a new NFL record for catches (145) in a season.

Next Week: The NFC South champions are on the road for the second straight Sunday looking to complete a sweep of the Carolina Panthers. In Week 12 at the Superdome, Payton’s team survived a wild 34-31 shootout. Including a playoff win 2017 at New Orleans, the Saints own a 5-1 record in the last six meeting between these franchises.

Playoff Hopes: The Saints could finish with 13 wins for the second consecutive year with a victory at Carolina. The defense has had its ups and downs as of late. There’s still a lot to sort out when it comes to the seeding in the NFC with Green Bay playing on Monday night. Payton’s team is a combined 13-2 on the road dating back to last season.

Recap: The 49ers hosted the disappointing Rams on a Saturday evening in position to sweep this NFC West rivalry for the first time since 2016. Back in Week 6 at the L.A. Coliseum, Kyle Shanahan’s club came away with a 20-7 win. But San Francisco’s recent struggles on defense continued as they allowed 395 total yards and 31 points to the defending conference champions. Jimmy Garoppolo would make the necessary plays when he had to in a game in which he threw for 248 yards and one score, was picked off twice and would be sacked six times – the latter in the second half. But clutch play from the quarterback, Emanuel Sanders and Robbie Gould would add up to the win.

Next Week: The playoff-bound Niners hit the road and will be looking for their first win the Pacific Northwest since 2011 as they and the Seahawks will battle in prime time for the NFC West title. Including an NFC Championship Game loss in ’13, San Francisco has dropped eight straight road games in this series dating back to 2012.

Playoff Hopes: The NFC West comes down to next week’s showdown with the Seahawks in Seattle. But what’s going on with the San Francisco defense as of late? The bottom line is that this club has already tripled its victory total from a season ago. And as of late, Garoppolo and company have shown a knack for some late-game heroics.

Next: Nos. 2 and 1