2019 NFL Power Rankings: Dolphins stun Patriots
Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 4. team. 124. . 12-4
Recap: With a victory over the visiting Chargers, Andy Reid’s club was in position to win a dozen games for the third time in four years. The Chiefs have allowed a combined 48 points in their last five games – all victories. And this time around, the rival Bolts gave Kansas City all it could handle. But Reid’s offense got 124 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Damien Williams as the team rolled up 162 yards on the ground. Patrick Mahomes had a modest 174 yards through the air without a score and was picked off once. But the big play was provided by rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who raced 104 yards with a kickoff after the Chargers had taken a 14-10 lead.
Postseason Preview: Reid’s team is the No. 2 seed in the AFC and earned a first-round bye for the first time since 2016. They will face either the Patriots, Texans or Bills on Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET, on January 12. It will be the team’s fifth consecutive home playoff contest dating back to ’16 and Reid’s club is just 1-3 in the previous four games.
Offseason Priorities: The club’s potential list of unrestricted free agents reads 20. And the biggest name on the ledger is defensive lineman Chris Jones. He could get the franchise tag if the parties aren’t able to agree to a deal before mid-March. The futures of defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and wideout Marcus Robinson bear watching.
13-3. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 3. team. 15.
Recap: Following the wild home loss to the 49ers in Week 14, Sean Payton’s club rebounded with impressive wins over the Colts and Titans. Now the Saints were on the road for the second straight Sunday and looked to complete a sweep of the struggling Panthers. And before you could say jambalaya the team from the Crescent City was owned a 35-0 second-quarter lead. Drew Brees connected on 19-of-30 throws for 253 yards and three touchdowns and the Saints did not commit a turnover. Alvin Kamara ran eight times but that was good for 39 yards and two scores. The defense forced three turnovers and the club finished 7-1 on the road for the second consecutive year.
Postseason Preview: Until last season, the Saints had never won back-to-back division titles. Now make it three straight NFC South crowns for a team that finished with 13 victories for the second consecutive year. And despite the gaudy record, Payton’s team will be playing the Vikings at the Superdome this Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Offseason Priorities: Yes, the Saints’ two starting quarterbacks this season – Brees and Teddy Bridgewater – could test free agency if they don’t agree to new contracts. But there are also some other very notable names among the club’s 19 potential UFAs in the former of guard Andrus Peat, safety Vonn Bell and outside linebacker A.J. Klein.
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