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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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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 29: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs in a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 29: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs in a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 29, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers. 2. team. 42. . 13-3. Previous:

Recap: A victory at Seattle would give the 49ers their first NFC West title since 2012 while a second loss of the season to the Seahawks would relegate Kyle Shanahan’s club to the No. 5 seed in the conference and put them on the road for the first round of the playoffs. The 49ers came out with a purpose, played turnover-free football and despite a second-half rally by Seattle looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 285 yards albeit without a touchdown and rookie wide receiver Deebo Samuel was huge, catching five passes for 102 yards and tight end George Kittle added seven receptions for 86 yards in a balanced attack that gained 398 yards.

Postseason Preview: The Niners are headed to the playoffs for the first time 2013. It’s been quite a turnaround for a club that was a combined 25-55 the five seasons prior to this year and coming off a 4-12 campaign. And the club is up first when it comes to the divisional round, hosting the Eagles, Seahawks or Vikings on Saturday, January 11.

Offseason Priorities: One of general manager John Lynch’s best moves over the last few months was obtaining wide receiver Emanuel Sanders from the Broncos. But the veteran performer can also become a free agent. A pair of former first-round picks in defensive back Jimmie Ward and defensive end Arik Armstead are also on the list.

. 14-2. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 1. team. 26

Recap: The No. 1 seed in the AFC would face the rival Pittsburgh Steelers without quarterback Lamar Jackson and other starters such as Marshal Yanda, Brandon Williams, Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas. And veteran Robert Griffin III would get the start for the Ravens against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And Baltimore’s relentless ground game was once again the story of the afternoon as John Harbaugh’s squad totaled 223 yards on the ground (130 yards on 21 carries by Gus Edwards) and set a new NFL regular-season record for rushing yards (3,296) in a season. All told, the Ravens completed their first sweep of Mike Tomlin’s club since 2015 and won the AFC North by six games.

Postseason Preview: The Ravens are the top seed in the conference playoffs for the first time in what will be their 12th postseason appearance. And the victory over the Steelers meant the club set a franchise record for victories (14) in a season. All told, Baltimore’s first 2019 playoff game takes place on Saturday, January 11, at 8:15 p.m. ET.

More fansided.com: Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

Offseason Priorities: On Saturday, the team announced that it has agreed to a contract extension with cornerback Marcus Peters. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport announced the deal was for three years and $42 million. The franchise has added a lot of players via the draft the last few years. The Ravens may want to retain linebacker Matt Judon.

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