2019 NFL Power Rankings: Dolphins stun Patriots

Recap: A second victory over the Titans in three weeks would mean Bill O’Brien’s club would match last season’s win-loss record. But perhaps the bigger news is that fact that defensive end J.J. Watt would be available for the postseason. On Sunday vs. Tennessee, the team sat quarterback Deshaun Watson and some other starters and A.J. McCarron would get the nod behind center. Houston would open up the scoring on Sunday with a Duke Johnson touchdown run. But McCarron, despite 225 yards through the air, was sacked four times and picked off once without throwing for a score. The Texans’ defense gave up a whopping 245 yards rushing in the 21-point setback.

Postseason Preview: This is a franchise that has won the AFC South four times in five seasons and six times in the last nine years dating back to 2011. But the Texans have yet to make it to a conference championship game. The postseason starts this time around with a visit from the 10-6 Buffalo Bills on Saturday afternoon at 4:35 p.m. ET.

Offseason Priorities: This past weekend, the organization got new deals done with linebacker Whitney Mercilus and punter Bryan Anger (via the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, respectively) to keep them off the 2020 free-agent market. The Texans may be wise to retain unsung running back Carlos Hyde.

Recap: Off an unexpected home loss to the Cardinals and now without not only Rashaad Penny but fellow running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise for the rest of the year, the Seahawks put in a call to Marshawn Lynch and he rejoined the team for the Sunday night showdown with the 49ers. He finished with 12 carries for 34 yards and his one-yard run early in the fourth quarter brought Pete Carroll’s team to within five points. But the ‘Hawks spent the entire game behind the eight ball as they trailed 13-0 at intermission and never caught up. The club now enters the postseason off two straight home losses. The team won 11 games and finished with a point differential of plus-7.

Postseason Preview: The 11-5 Seahawks won two more games than the Philadelphia Eagles this season and knocked off the NFC East champions back in Week 12 in the land of cheese steaks. But Wilson and company will be the road team next Sunday at 4:40 p.m. ET in the first-ever postseason encounter between these franchises.

Offseason Priorities: Earlier this year the team obtained versatile defender Jadeveon Clowney from the Texans. Will the Seahawks invest long term into the six-year pro? Tackles George Fant and Germain Ifedi and guard Mike Iupati are also potential unrestricted free agents. What does the future hold for suspended wideout Josh Gordon?

Next: Nos. 6 and 5