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2019 NFL Power Rankings: Dolphins stun Patriots

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Miami Dolphins looks to pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 29: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Chicago Bears kicks the game winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings 21-19.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 29: Eddy Pineiro #15 of the Chicago Bears kicks the game winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings 21-19.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

57. . 8-8. Previous: . Chicago Bears. 14. team

Recap: Matt Nagy’s club was eliminated from the postseason last week. Now the Bears were still hoping to salvage a .500 season by completing a sweep of the rival Vikings. Chicago ran for 158 yards and controlled the ball for 37:40. They got 113 yards and one touchdown from rookie running back David Montgomery, four field goals from Eddy Pineiro and a safety. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw for 207 yards without a score or an interception but fumbled twice and lost one of those miscues. The defense did allow the Vikings to run for 174 yards. But it did not give up a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Pineiro kicked the game-winning field goal with 10 seconds to play.

Draft Talk: As has been well documented, the Bears don’t have a first- or third-round pick in April. But general manager Ryan Pace could still make hay with two second-round selections. Obviously, the offense still looks like a work in progress and more help for the passing game via wide receiverss and tight ends would benefit Trubisky.

Offseason Priorities: The Bears were one of the league’s bigger disappointments this past years. A club that appeared to be on the rise has now missed the playoffs eight of the past nine seasons and wound up losing twice as many games this season (8) as they did a year ago. Could there be some changes to Nagy’s coaching staff?

13. team. 51. . 9-7. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams

Recap: The defending NFC champions are not headed back to the playoffs but were still hoping to salvage a winning season by completing a sweep of the rival Arizona Cardinals for the third straight year. Sean McVay’s team had reeled off a dominant five-game winning streak in this series by a combined 164-32 score. And it was business as usual for the Rams’ offense in this match-up as of late, although the club got a little more fight from the Cards this time around. Jared Goff threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns and Los Angeles played turnover-free football. Meanwhile, Wade Phillips’s defense picked off Kyler Murray twice and scooped up two of his fumbles.

Draft Talk: The franchise paid a heavy price to obtain standout cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jaguars. And that means no first-round pick for general manager Les Snead in both 2020 and ’21 – at least for now. The team could use some offensive line help. It was a unit that fell off considerably after excelling the previous two years.

Offseason Priorities: The Rams don’t have a lot of potential unrestricted free agents but they are big names in the form of defensive linemen Dante Fowler Jr. and Michael Brocker, as well as veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth. There’s also underrated linebacker Cory Littleton and veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein, who could also test the market.

Next: Nos. 12 and 11

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