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

Recap: There were plenty of expectations entering the 2019 season when it came to the Browns. But the team would have to win its final two games to avoid a 12th consecutive losing campaign. Freddie Kitchens’ squad was the last team to knock off the Ravens as they hosted the AFC North champions. Cleveland drew first blood thanks to a Baker Mayfield TD pass. But Baltimore would score two touchdowns in the final 1:18 of the first half and the Browns’ defense just could not find a way to slow down Lamar Jackson and company. By game’s end, the team surrendered 481 total yards. Kitchens’ offense was limited to 241 total yards and was 3-of-12 on third down.

Next Week: The Browns look to continue to recent success against their Cincinnati Bengals and sweep its intrastate rival for the second consecutive season. In Week 14 at home, Kitchens’ squad came up with 27-19 victory. Cleveland has won the last three meetings after dropping seven straight games in this AFC North rivalry.

Draft Talk: This franchise continues to have its issues regardless of the head coach and the quarterback and there have been plenty of them dating back to 1999. The Browns’ last playoff appearance will remain at 2002 as the loss to Baltimore eliminated Kitchens’ team. Perhaps this club can find some help when it comes to both trenches.

Recap: A week ago, Kliff Kingsbury’s team played arguably its most complete game of the season in beating the Browns and snapped a six-game losing streak in the process. Now the club was not only looking to avoid being swept by the Seahawks but the Cards were seeking their first divisional victory of 2019. Arizona would own a 17-7 lead at intermission thanks to touchdowns by Kenyan Drake and Larry Fitzgerald. Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray would leave the game in the third quarter with a hamstring issue. Drake finished with 166 yards and two scores, Chandler Jones had four of the team’s five sacks and Cards help a team under 21 points for the first time in ’19.

Next Week: The Cardinals head to Los Angeles looking to end their losing ways in what has become a very lopsided divisional series as of late. Thanks to a 34-7 home setback in Week 13 in which the defense surrendered 549 total yards, Big Red has now dropped five consecutive games to the Rams by an unimaginable combined 164-32 count.

Draft Talk: It’s another last-place finish for the club. Meanwhile, it’s been a season of progress on the offensive side of the football and in some ways a big step backwards when it comes to stopping the opposition. The Cards could certainly use some speed at the inside linebackers spots and a few big bodies along the defensive front.

Next: Nos. 20 and 19