2022 NFL power rankings, Week 9: 49ers roll, Bengals rolled
28. . 2-5. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 28. team
The Silver and Black made its way to the Big Easy and clashed with the defensively-challenged Saints – now led by one-time Raiders’ head coach Dennis Allen. But the Raiders’ offense was a complete no-show at the Superdome as the club gained a disappointing 183 total yards on 56 plays.
Las Vegas ran for only 38 yards and Derek Carr (3) – who threw an interception – and Jarrett Stidham (1) were dropped a combined four times in the shutout loss.
27. team. 87. . 2-6. Previous: . Carolina Panthers
Panthers’ running back D’Onta Foreman had a big game with 118 yards rushing and three touchdowns. So did D.J. Moore, who caught six passes for 152 yards. His 62-yard TD grab with 12 seconds to play narrowed Atlanta’s lead to 34-33.
But he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play and Eddy Pineiro missed on a 48-yard PAT try. In overtime, he missed on a game-winning 32-yard field goal attempt. And the Falcons seized the moment.
. 3-5. Previous: . Denver Broncos. 26. team. 45
After sitting out what proved to be a home loss to the Jets, Broncos’ quarterback Russell Wilson returned to the starting lineup on Sunday as his team was in London to face the Jaguars. Denver’s offensive unit scored three touchdowns for only the second time in 2022.
The last of those trips to the end zone was via running back Latavius Murray. His two-yard run with 1:43 to play capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive and was the difference in the game.
25. team. 15. . 3-5. Previous: . New Orleans Saints
After surrendering a whopping 200 points in their first seven games, Dennis Allen’s club pitched a shutout on Sunday against the visiting Raiders.
Running back Alvin Kamara was overdue for a big outing and he came through in the convincing victory. He totaled 18 carries for 62 yards and one touchdown and caught nine passes for 96 yards and two scores via quarterback Andy Dalton. The Saints’ defense limited the Raiders to 183 total yards.
. 3-4-1. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 24. team. 46
The team opted to sit down veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and gave Sam Ehlinger his first NFL start. He hit on 17 of his 23 throws for 201 yards and was sacked twice but did not throw a touchdown pass. And both he and running back Jonathan Taylor wound up losing fumbles.
Nyheim Hines scored from six yards out early in the fourth quarter to give Frank Reich’s club a 16-7 advantage. But the Indianapolis’ defense couldn’t protect a nine-point lead.
Previous: . Chicago Bears. 23. team. 57. . 3-5
Off a stunning road win at New England, Matt Eberflus’ team was in Dallas to take on the Cowboys. The Bears were able to roll up a lot of yards on the ground (240). And Justin Fields ran for 60 yards and one score, to go along with 151 passing yards and two TD strikes. But he was also sacked four times.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s defensive unit has few answers for the Cowboys’ attack. Dallas rolled up 442 total yards and surrendered six offensive touchdowns.
53. . 3-5. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 22. team
Following a 2-1 start, the Browns had dropped four straight games entering Monday night’s visit from the reigning AFC champion Bengals. Kevin Stefanski’s team got on the scoreboard first via a Nick Chubb TD run and two-point conversion in the second quarter.
Chubb would finish with 101 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns. Amari Cooper caught five passes for 131 yards and one TD. Cleveland’s offense rolled up 440 total yards in the win.