NFL power rankings, Week 14: 49ers slip slightly after loss to Ravens
By Peter Panacy
NFL Power Rankings: Nos. 32-21
56. . 1-11. Previous: . Cincinnati Bengals. 32. team
W, 22-6 vs. Jets
The Bengals elected to hand starting quarterback duties back over to Andy Dalton in relief of the rookie, Ryan Finley. That seemed to do the trick enough, as the Bengals landed their first victory of 2019.
Cincinnati is still terrible, though.
team. 31. . 2-10. Previous: . New York Giants. 31
L, 31-13 vs. Packers
Kind of tough luck for the Giants, who faced an angry Packers squad which was demolished by the 49ers the week prior. Still, the G-Men’s misfortunes this season have kept them regularly at the bottom of our NFL power rankings. And rookie quarterback Daniel Jones looked like, well… a rookie with one touchdown against three interceptions.
Running back Saquon Barkley is going to be used up before New York gets good again.
3-9. Previous: . Miami Dolphins. 30. team. 59.
W, 37-31 vs. Eagles
So much for the Dolphins’ tank job this season, and so much for them being in the weekly NFL power rankings basement.
Miami put a massive dent in Philadelphia’s playoff chances with the home win, riding the hot hand of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver DeVante Parker. Those two were fun to watch connect, and each of the Dolphins’ wins this season generate such a feel-good sensation.
team. 50. . 3-8-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 29
L, 24-20 vs. Bears
The David Blough show is underway under center in Detroit, and hardly anyone outside of Lions fans noticed. This was the last game anyone wanted to watch on Thanksgiving Day, especially when Detroit’s defense actually made Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky look, gulp… good.
58. . 3-9. Previous: . Washington Commanders. 28. team
W, 29-21 @ Panthers
The Redskins also stink, like most in our NFL power rankings in this spot. But at least they embraced the spoiler role in Week 13, essentially wrecking the Panthers’ slim playoff hopes with the win.
It’s great seeing running back Derrius Guice have such a dominant game, too, following the start to his NFL career being so thwarted by injury.
3-9. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 27. team. 44.
L, 26-18 vs. Saints
So much for that little hot streak the Falcons enjoyed a little while ago. They were manhandled by the Saints on Thursday Night Football, and only a brief Atlanta surge in the fourth quarter made this game worth watching from a competitive standpoint.
The Falcons now host the all-but-playoff-eliminated Panthers before traveling to visit the 49ers, and both games could easily drop head coach Dan Quinn’s squad in our NFL power rankings.
Previous: . Arizona Cardinals. 26. team. 32. . 3-8-1
L, 34-7 vs. Rams
Like the Giants dealing with the Packers, the Cardinals had to bear the punishment of the Rams, who were previously coming off a massive beatdown in Week 12 by the Ravens.
And it showed. Quarterback Kyler Murray looked far more like a rookie than an up-and-coming phenom.
25. team. 30. . 4-8. Previous: . New York Jets
L, 22-6 @ Bengals
The Jets have now handed both the Dolphins and the Bengals their first wins of the season. So much for that brief three-game win streak saving head coach Adam Gase’s job. He’s back on the hot seat.
52. . 4-8. Previous: 22nd. Jacksonville Jaguars. 24. team
L, 28-11 vs. Buccaneers
Someone is going to have to explain to somebody just how quarterback Nick Foles cashed in on that massive free-agent deal with the Jaguars, and do it without mentioning his playoff heroics with the Eagles, previously.
The rookie, Gardner Minshew, should be starting from here on out. Jacksonville is going nowhere in the standings, but Minshew can help in NFL power rankings at least.
team. 45. . 4-8. Previous: 28th. Denver Broncos. 23
W, 23-20 vs. Chargers
Quite the boost for the otherwise-lowly Broncos in our NFL power rankings, who used a fortunate defensive pass-interference call against the Chargers to land a game-winning field goal with the clock running out.
Is Drew Lock finally the answer for general manager John Elway under center? Perhaps, and finally, if so.
22. team. 13. . 4-8. Previous: . Los Angeles Chargers
L, 23-20 @ Broncos
Yes, the Chargers are a spot ahead of the Broncos in our NFL power rankings after losing in Denver in Week 13. But Los Angeles is still pound-for-pound better than the Broncos right now.
The Chargers just figure out new ways to lose each week, and Sunday’s game was a prime example. Those DPI calls hurt, especially in the waning seconds.
21. team. 54. . 5-7. Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles
L, 37-31 @ Dolphins
After the Cowboys lost on their Thanksgiving game, the Eagles had the chance of chances to take advantage and gain much-needed ground in the up-for-grabs NFC East.
Instead, a still-scuffling Philly squad lost to the lowly Dolphins. That stings in more ways than one and could probably justify the Eagles falling further in our NFL power rankings, although quarterback Carson Wentz looks like he’s bounced back a bit.