It’s the latest version of the NFL Power Rankings. And the Cincinnati Bengals came up with an eye-opening win at Baltimore. Seven weeks into the season and the NFC still houses the NFL’s lone unbeaten and winless clubs. A veteran quarterback in Tampa Bay continues to add to his amazing statistical resume. And a team that hasn’t made a playoff appearance since 2015 may have gotten the rest of the league’s attention.
David Culley’s team hadn’t won since opening weekend prior to taking on the NFL’s lone unbeaten team on Sunday at Arizona. But the Texans actually owned an early 5-0 lead courtesy of a safety and field goal. But that was it for the day when it came to the team scoring points as the offense managed a mere 130 total yards on just 49 plays. Rookie quarterback Davis Mills was sacked twice and lost a fumble while the team ran for only 42 yards.
The Jets were off last week and now clashed with the Patriots for the second time this season. In Week 2 at MetLife Stadium, Zach Wilson threw four interceptions in a 25-6 loss. On Sunday, he was knocked out of the game with a knee injury (see NFL.com’s Jelani Scott). Robert Saleh’s club was outgained 551-299 and committed three turnovers. The Jets have now lost 12 straight games to the Pats and are 2-20 in this series dating back to 2011.
The NFL’s lone winless team headed to Los Angeles as quarterback Jared Goff faced his former team. Of course, the Rams are led these days by one-time Lions’ hurler Matthew Stafford. Dan Campbell’s club pulled out all the stops and was even successful on one onside kick and a pair of fake punts. And Detroit owned a 19-17 lead late in the third quarter. But quarterback Jared Goff wound up throwing a pair of costly interceptions in this latest loss.
Losers of five straight contests, the club hosted the well-rested Falcons on Sunday. And for the second straight week, Brian Flores’ team lost on a field goal on the final play of the game. It was an up-and-down afternoon for Tua Tagovailoa, who was picked off twice but hit on 80 percent of his passes (32-of-40) for 291 yards and four scores. Miami rallied from 13-point fourth-quarter lead to take a 28-27 lead with 2:27 to play but couldn’t hang on to win.