2019 NFL Power Rankings: Dolphins stun Patriots
16. . 10-6. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 10. team
Recap: Sean McDermott’s team opened the season with a comeback win over the Jets on the road and now had a chance to complete the sweep as they hosted the Green and White. Second-year quarterback Josh Allen would start the game but would not be around long and gave way to Matt Barkley as the Bills gave some of their players some rest in advance of the playoffs. Barkley threw for 232 yards but was also picked off twice and lost a fumble as McDermott’s club settled for a pair of field goals. Defensive end Trent Murphy totaled three tackles and two sacks in the losing effort. And for what it’s worth, the Bills dropped three of their last four games after a 9-3 start.
Postseason Preview: The Bills were already locked into the No. 5 seed and will now be heading to Houston to take on the AFC South champion Texans on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET. Buffalo’s last playoff victory came in 1995, when Marv Levy and company came up with a 37-22 victory over the Dolphins in the wild card round at Orchard Park.
Offseason Priorities: A disappointment while with the Miami Dolphins, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips has been a major surprise for the Bills. He and defensive end Shaq Lawson could test the free-agent market in the spring. Will ageless Frank Gore finally hang it up? The club could look to retain left guard Quinton Spain, a season-long starter.
9. team. 60. . 10-6. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings
Recap: Off Monday night’s sobering loss to the Packers, Mike Zimmer’s postseason-bound club hoped to bounce back at home against the rival Bears. The Vikings had dropped three straight meetings in the series entering Sunday’s game and opted to start quarterback Sean Mannion with really nothing to play for in terms of playoff positioning. And the inexperienced signal-caller would throw for only 126 yards, lost a fumble and was picked off twice. Minnesota’s erratic defense gave up 158 yards on the ground, 113 to David Montgomery. The pass rush produced four sacks. Regardless of the circumstances, the Vikings enter the playoffs with two consecutive losses.
Postseason Preview: Zimmer’s 10-6 club is the No. 6 seed in the conference and now makes their way to New Orleans to face the 13-3 Saints. It’s the second time in three years that the clubs will clash in the postseason. And who could forget the Vikings’ 29-24 walk off victory in the 2017 NFC Divisional Round courtesy of Stefon Diggs.
Offseason Priorities: While some may think the biggest name on the team’s potential free-agent list is former first-round cornerback Trae Waynes, the team may not be able to afford losing safety Anthony Harris – who has enjoyed a big 2019. Kicker Dan Bailey could also depart and has had an erratic year when it comes to making PATs.
Next: Nos. 8 and 7