MY NEW NFL POWER RANKINGS GOING INTO WEEK 15

COWBOYS HOT, STEELERS NOT

It was an extremely rough Sunday for a few of the league’s first-place club. Meanwhile, a second NFC team wrapped up a division title.

32: ARIZONA CARDINALS 3-10

Last week: L, 17-3 vs DET
Last rank: 28th

Recap: The Cardinals were coming off a stunning road win at Lambeau Field and would now play host the Detroit Lions. And Arizona’s much-maligned offense, which entered the week dead last in the NFL in total yards and passing yards per game – as well as next-to-last in the league in rushing – failed to score a touchdown. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 240 yards but was sacked three times. And his only interception of the game was returned 67 yards for a touchdown by Lions’ cornerback Darius Slay. Meanwhile, Arizona’s disappointing ground attack picked up a mere 61 yards on 21 attempts.

Next Week: It’s a battle of the Birds at Atlanta as the Cardinals (3) and Atlanta Falcons (4) have combined for only seven wins this season. It’s the third time since 2014 that these teams have clashed, with Arizona falling on the road in ’16 (38-19) when last these clubs met. The Cards have dropped nine straight at Atlanta dating back to 1992.

Draft Talk: The Cardinals have been dreadful on offense this season and the club needs more weapons for Rosen. It would also help if general manager Steve Keim got some more offensive line help as the team has allowed 35 sacks this year and has struggled to run the football despite the presence of talented David Johnson.

31: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4-9

Last week: L, 30-9 at TEN
Last rank: 26th

Recap: Doug Marrone’s club was looking to avoid being swept by the Tennessee Titans for the second straight year. Back in Week 3 at Jacksonville, the Jaguars were on the losing send of a 9-6 score. And after 30 minutes of play, the only points the team could manage against their longtime was two via a safety. But Marrone’s somewhat-uninspired defensive unit could not get a handle on Titans’ running back Derrick Henry. He totaled only 17 carries but ran for 238 yards and four touchdowns – including scores of 99 and 54 yards. Quarterback Cody Kessler was under constant fire as the Jacksonville offense managed a mere 255 total yards by night’s end.

Next Week: The team will host the Washington Redskins for the first time since 2010. It will mark only the seventh lifetime meeting between these interconference opponents dating back to 1997. It’s a series that has seen the Jaguars lose but all but one of those previous six encounters, the latest a 41-10 setback at Washington in 2014.

Draft Talk: With the Jaguars officially out of the playoffs for the 10th time in 11 seasons dating back to 2008, the talk is already to the future. And the coming years won’t include quarterback Blake Bortles, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. All told, this is a team in dire need of offensive help at nearly every position.

30: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 3-10

Last week: W, 20-14 vs DEN
Last rank: 32nd

Recap: The 49ers had dropped three consecutive games as they hosted the resurgent Denver Broncos on Sunday. And early on, Kyle Shanahan’s squad really put it to a team that had come into the game riding a three-game winning streak. Quarterback Nick Mullens finished the game with 332 yards through the air and two scores (1 interception) despite being sacked three times. And his favorite target continued to be emerging tight end George Kittle, who had quite the first half. He was targeted eight times and hauled in seven passes for an astonishing 210 yards, including an 85-yard score. Ahead 20-0 at intermission, the Niners would hold off a Denver rally.

Next Week: For the second time in a three weeks, the Niners will square off against the Seattle Seahawks. In the teams’ first meeting of the season, Shanahan’s club was routed, 43-16. Including a 2013 postseason clash, it was the 10th consecutive loss by the 49ers in this NFC West series – with four of those taking place at San Francisco.

Draft Talk: Give credit to Shanahan and company for putting a dent in the postseason plans of the Broncos. But the reality is that the Niners won’t be going to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. As opposed to other years, injuries played a big role in this season’s struggles. But this team could use some more help on defense.

29: OAKLAND RAIDERS 3-10

Last week: W, 24-21 vs PIT
Last rank: 30th

Recap: Reduced to a playoff spoiler once again the Silver and Black hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams came into this clash losers of their last two games. But it was Jon Gruden’s club that rose to the occasion at several key moments and took advantage of the opposition’s sloppy play. Quarterback Derek Carr overcame four sacks and a lost fumble by throwing for 322 yards and a pair of scores. He led the team on an eight-play, 75-yard drive with less than three minutes to play, capping it off with a six-yard TD strike to tight end Derek Carrier on fourth downs with 21 seconds to play. And the Raiders got a timely assist from the Coliseum turf.

Next Week: The Bengals play host to the Silver Black for the first time since 2012 as these teams clash for only the third time in seven years. In the franchises’ most recent encounter, Cincinnati came away with 33-13 win at Oakland. As for the Raiders’ last appearance in the Queen City, the club was manhandled by a 34-10 score in ‘12.

Draft Talk: Make it 15 times in these last 16 seasons (dating back to 2003) that the Silver and Black won’t be in the playoffs. But the win over the talented Steelers showed that this club continues to play hard despite a year full of controversy and some questionable decision-making by the head coach and the organization in general.

28: DETROIT LIONS 5-8

Last week: W, 17-3 at ARI 
Last rank: 29th

Recap: Matt Patricia’s team headed west to the desert as the Lions and Cardinals clashed for the sixth time in seven seasons dating back to 2012. And it was an ugly affair was Detroit took a 3-0 lead into the locker room at intermission. Patricia’s squad extended its lead in the third quarter when cornerback Darius Slay stepped in front of a Josh Rosen pass and returned it 67 yards for a score. In the fourth quarter, running back Zach Zenner capped off a seven-play 75-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run. All told, the Lions’ offense managed only 218 total yards in the 14-point victory, only the second road triumph by the club this season.

Next Week: The Lions make their way to Orchard Park for the first time since 2010 to take on a Bills’ team that has already dropped two of its three games vs. the NFC North this season. As for this series, Detroit has dropped two straight dating back to ’10, the latest a 17-14 setback at Ford Field four years ago.

Playoff hopes: Patricia’s team is still in the postseason hunt despite the fact that these Lions have been among the most inconsistent clubs in the league this season. And a 3-7 record vs. NFC competition this season certainly doesn’t help their cause. It’s been an odd year for a team that certainly has some talent.

27: NEW YORK JETS 4-9

Last week: W, 27-23 at BUF
Last rank: 31st

Recap: The Green and White took a six-game losing streak into Orchard Park as they faced the Buffalo Bills for the second time this season. Back in Week 10 at MetLife Stadium, Todd Bowles’ club was humbled by a 41-10 score. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold was back at the helm for the Green and White after missing the previous three games. New York trailed by a 17-6 score in the second quarter but the club showed some resiliency and came all the way back for a four-point victory. And while Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen ran for 101 yards and a score, the Jets sacked him three times and stole a pair of his passes.

Next Week: It’s a Saturday afternoon tilt at MetLife Stadium as the struggling Jets play host to the Houston Texans for the first time since 2012. While the Green and White owns a 5-2 lifetime edge in the infrequent series, they’ve dropped the last two meetings between the clubs – the latest a 24-17 setback at Houston in 2015.

Draft Talk: Make it eight consecutive seasons that the Jets won’t be in the playoffs. But the team did snap its six-game losing streak on Sunday and rallied from an 11-point deficit in the process. Who knows what the hierarchy of this team will be in 2019. But this club needs some more help in both trenches if some progress is to be made.

26: BUFFALO BILLS 4-9

Last week: L, 27-23 vs NYJ
Last rank: 24th

Recap: Back in Week 10 at MetLife Stadium, the Bills rolled the New York Jets, 41-10. Now these two clubs would clash at Orchard Park, with Buffalo in position to sweep this AFC East rivalry for the first time since 2015. Late last week, the Bills parted ways with wide receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes. The former proved to be a huge disappointment after the club obtained him via trade from the Carolina Panthers a year ago. As for the team’s clash with the Green and White, quarterback Josh Allen continued to get it done with his legs. He ran for 101 yards and a score. But he was also picked off twice as the team blew an 11-point second-quarter lead.

Next Week: McDermott’s club is home for the second straight Sunday and plays host to the Detroit Lions for the first time since 2010. It’s the teams’ first meeting since 2014, when the Bills went to Ford Field and came away with a 17-14 victory. Buffalo has prevailed in four of the clubs’ last five meetings dating back to 1997.

Draft Talk: The loss to the Jets means the Bills won’t be going back to the playoffs for a second consecutive year. The club used its share of starting quarterbacks this season and the team’s offensive line still has plenty of work to do. And that may be the franchise’s focus this offseason, especially in late April.

25: CINCINNATI BENGALS 5-8

Last week: L, 26-21 at LAC
Last rank: 25th

Recap: Losers of four straight games, the struggling Bengals made their way to the West Coast to take on the surging Los Angeles Chargers. The team would now be without wide receiver A.J. Green after being re-injured last Sunday in the loss to the Denver Broncos. And Marvin Lewis’ team would certainly make a game of it despite digging itself a 14-3 second-quarter hole. Running back Joe Mixon touched the ball 31 times and gained 138 yards from scrimmage and one of the team’s two touchdowns. As for the positives, Cincinnati played turnover-free football and limited the Chargers to 288 total yards – including 109 in the second half.

Next Week: The Bengals play at home for the third time in four weeks and host the Oakland Raiders for the first time since 2012. It’s a series that has gone Cincinnati’s way as of late as the team has won three of the last four meetings dating back to ’06. That includes a 33-13 win at Oakland three years ago in the clubs’ last meeting.

Playoff hopes: That very-promising 4-1 start as morphed into seven losses in the last eight outings for Lewis’ club. And this latest setback means the Bengals won’t finish with a winning record for the third consecutive year. That’s quite a departure for a franchise that reached the playoffs five straight years from 2011-15.

24: ATLANTA FALCONS 4-9

Last week: L, 34-20 at GB
Last rank: 23rd

Recap: The streaky Falcons were in the midst of a four-game skid when the team arrived at Lambeau Field for a clash with the struggling Packers. A week ago, Dan Quinn’s club was limited to a mere 131 total yards in a 26-16 loss to the Ravens. This week, Atlanta more than doubled that total (344). But with a quarter to play, Green Nay had already owned a 34-7 lead. Matt Ryan would throw for 262 yards and three scores but had one of the team’s two turnovers and his lone interception of the day was returned for a score. The Falcons’ problem-plagued defense had four sacks of Aaron Rodgers but gave up a disappointing 138 yards rushing.

Next Week: Quinn’s team plays host to the Arizona Cardinals for the first time since 2016 as these teams meet for the sixth time in nine years dating back to ‘10. Dating back to 2012, the Falcons own a 4-1 record in this series. Including playoffs, the home team has prevailed in nine straight meetings in this setting dating back to ’04.

Playoff hopes: Losers of five straight games, the Falcons remain all alone in the basement of the NFC South. It’s been quite a fall for a team that reached the Super Bowl in 2016 and was back in the playoffs a year ago. A lack of depth has proven to be the team’s undoing, especially on the defensive side of the football.

23: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 5-8

Last week: L, 28-14 vs NO
Last rank: 22nd

Recap: For all their issues, the Buccaneers have already won as many games as they did all of last season. And off two consecutive victories, the club hosted the NFC South leading New Orleans Saints. Thanks to a 48-40 upset triumph in Week 1 at the Superdome, the team was in position to sweep this series for the first time since 2007. And Dirk Koetter’s squad would take a 14-3 lead into the half, limiting the Saints to a mere three yards on the ground. But it was all New Orleans in the second half as Jameis Winston sacked three times and intercepted once in the game’s final 30 minutes and the Tampa offense was limited to a paltry 81 total yards.

Next Week: Winston and the Buccaneers head north to Baltimore as the Buccaneers faces the Ravens for the first time since 2014. It’s just the sixth lifetime meeting between these franchises dating back to ‘01. All told, the Bucs own a 0-2 road record in this setting and came up short, 17-10, in 2010 in their last appearance at Baltimore.

Playoff hopes: Because the NFC is such a bundled mess, the Bucs are still mathematically alive when it comes to the postseason. But this will prove to be an extremely costly loss as the club dipped to 4-6 within the conference. It’s been a mistake-prone year for a franchise that was showing such promise a few years ago.

22: WASHINGTON REDSKINS 6-7

Last week: L, 40-16 vs NYG
Last rank: 14th

Recap: The slumping Redskins, owners of a 6-6 record and losers of three straight games, hosted the improving New York Giants. Still, Washington was in position to sweep this series for the first time since 2011. Mark Sanchez would be Jay Gruden’s third different starting quarterback this season as Colt McCoy broke his leg on Monday night at Philadelphia. The 10-year pro hit on only six of his 14 tosses for 38 yards and two interceptions (1 returned for a score) and was sacked five time before eventually taking a seat. But Washington’s defense had its issues as well as Greg Manusky’s unit had zero answers for Giants’ running back Saquon Barkley.

Next Week: The Redskins head to Jacksonville for the first time since 2010. It is the first of two straight road games for Gruden’s team vs. AFC South foes, with a trip to Nashville the following week. It’s worth noting that in 2018 that Washington has already lost to the Colts and Texans, both of those contest at FedExField.

Playoff hopes: The losses of quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colt McCoy have had devastating consequences for a team that four games that not long ago was leading the NFC East. And the lack of offensive production by Gruden’s club has made it difficult for a defensive unit that was off to a very promising start this season.

21: NEW YORK GIANTS 5-8

Last week: W, 40-16 vs WAS
Last rank: 27th

Recap: Winners of three of their previous four games, the Giants head to FedExField for the second meeting of the season with the Redskins. Back in Week 8, Big Blue fell short at East Rutherford, 20-13. And the team rolled up 284 total yards in the first half on the way to a 34-0 lead at intermission. Rookie running back Saquon Barkley managed only 10 carries but for 159 yards and one score after two quarters. And the team would eventually own a 40-0 advantage before Washington tacked on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Barkley finished with 197 total yards from scrimmage and the aforementioned score as the Giants won for the fourth time in their last five games.

Next Week: The team hosts the 7-6 Tennessee Titans for the first time since 2010. The last time these clubs squared off, the Giants rolled to a 36-7 win at Nashville in 2014. But when the teams last clashed at MetLife Stadium, it was the Titans who came away with a 29-10 victory.

Playoff hopes: When some were expecting these once-struggling Giants to just play out the string, Shurmur’s club has played much better the last five weeks and there may be room for optimism down the road after all. Big Blue could still salvage a non-losing season with a really strong finish. As for reaching the playoffs, it’s still possible.

20: GREEN BAY PACKERS 5-7-1

Last week: W, 34-20 vs ATL
Last rank: 20th

Recap: Home for the second consecutive Sunday and now with Joe Philbin as their interim head coach, the Packers welcomed the Atlanta Falcons to Lambeau Field. And the team took out its frustrations in a big way by snapping its three-game losing streak in convincing fashion. Aaron Rodgers connected on 21 of his 33 throws for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones ran for one score and had more than half (78) of Green Bay’s 138 yards on the ground. The team’s offensive line came into the game in pretty rough shape and Rodgers was sacked four times. But it was a nice debut for Philbin in his new role with the club.

Next Week: The Pack is off to a Windy City as Rodgers and company and the rival Chicago Bears meet for the second time this season. Soldier Field has been Green Bay’s home away from home as of late. Including their victory in the 2010 NFC title game, the Pack has won eight straight road games in this legendary rivalry.

Playoff hopes: The club has to win the remainder of its games just to finish with a winning record. And that certainly wouldn’t guarantee anything in a conference where the Packers own a dismal 3-6-1 record. Stranger things have happened but the team’s postseason chances just aren’t very realistic.

19: CAROLINA PANTHERS 6-7

Last week: L, 26-20 at CLE
Last rank: 15th

Recap: The slide continued for Ron Rivera’s team as the team’s defensive unit continued to make things easy for the opposition. The Browns only had the football for 26:10 but averaged an impressive 7.7 yards per play. And even though the Panthers managed a pair of takeaways in this interconference tilt, the inability to stop the opposition on a consistent basis has really been this team’s downfall as of late. Second-year running back Christian McCaffrey had another productive day, scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Cam Newton threw for 265 yards without a score. And his lone interception with roughly a minute to play ended any comeback hopes.

Next Week: Last season, three times wasn’t very charming for the Panthers when it came to the rival New Orleans Saints. The club fell twice during the regular season to Sean Payton’s crew and also saw their season end with a 31-26 wild card loss at the Superdome. It’s the first of two meetings in the final three weeks of 2018.

Playoff hopes: The Panthers are still alive when it comes to grabbing a wild card berth. But this is a team obviously headed in the wrong direction. A once-formidable defense continues to have its problems. At 6-2, the Panthers looked like they were on track for back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in team history. And now?

18: DENVER BRONCOS 6-7

Last week: L, 20-14 at SF
Last rank: 17th

Recap: Vance Joseph’s rejuvenated team looked to make it four consecutive wins as they traveled to San Francisco to take on the struggling 49ers. But the team got a bit of bad news when wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was lost for the rest of the season after suffering an Achilles’ injury during practice last week. Rookie Phillip Lindsay and the Broncos’ running game has taken center stage as of late but he was limited to 30 yards and a score on 14 carries. The Denver defense had no answers for the 49ers’ combination of quarterback Nick Mullens and tight end George Kittle. And by game’s end, Von Miller and company wound up surrendering a surprising 389 total yards in the loss.

Next Week: Joseph’s squad is playing much better football these days and now has a tricky Saturday afternoon home affair with the Cleveland Browns. But this series has quite the history and most of it favors the Broncos who own an 11-game winning streak in this setting (5-0 at Denver) dating back to 1991.

Playoff hopes: There are simply too many teams ahead of the Broncos in the conference standings to believe that this team has a realistic shot at the playoffs. It’s certainly not impossible but Joseph’s club needed to keep pace with the other contenders and it failed to get the job done on Sunday.

17: CLEVELAND BROWNS 5-7-1

Last week: W, 26-20 vs CAR
Last rank: 21st

Recap: The Browns welcomed the Carolina Panthers to Cleveland for the first time since 2010 and these infrequent foes wound up tied at 17-all after 30 minutes of play. But Gregg Williams’ club limited Cam Newton and company to a field goal in the second half. Quarterback Baker Mayfield bounced back from those three interceptions that he threw a week ago at Houston by hitting on 18-of-22 throws for 238 yards and one score. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins and Jarvis Landry lost fumbles in the second half but this improving team was able to overcome those mistakes. And Myles Garrett raised his season sack total to 12.5 with a second-half trap of Newton.

Next Week: The club heads to Denver for the first time since 2012 and squares off with the Broncos for the first time since ‘15. Regardless of what version of the Browns is referenced, the team owns a dismal 5-23 lifetime record in this series (including playoffs) and has dropped 11 straight games in this series dating back to ’91.

Playoff hopes: The team is still mathematically alive for a playoff berth. And it’s also worth noting that this club could still finish with a winning campaign for the first time since 2007, when the Browns managed a 10-6 mark but missed out on the postseason due to tiebreakers. The program is certainly headed upwards.

16: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 6-7

Last week: L, 29-23 at DAL (OT)
Last rank: 19th

Recap: Off their first two-game winning streak of the season, the defending Super Bowl champions headed to Dallas looking to avenge a 27-20 Sunday night loss at Philadelphia in Week 10. And the Eagles’ defense kept the Cowboys under wraps for three quarters as they harassed quarterback Dak Prescott into numerous miscues. But coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense has no answers in the fourth quarter and overtime for Dallas’ wideout Amari Cooper. He burned the Birds for scores of 28, 75 and 15 yards, respectively, in the final seven-plus minutes of regulation and then overtime. And that last score came off a deflection – epitomizing the team’s 2018 issues.

Next Week: The Eagles head west and hope to have a few laughs at the expense of the NFC West champion Rams. A year ago at Los Angeles (Week 14), Wentz would go down with a knee injury but the team will hold on for 43-35 win. Dating back to 2005, the Birds have prevailed in the last five meetings between the teams.

Playoff hopes: Doug Pederson’s team has rarely risen to the occasion this year and the defending champions now have to win their final three games just to finish above the .500 mark. Yes, there have been injuries but a season ago these Eagles found a way to overcome a lot of adversity. And that’s been just the opposite this year.

15: TENNESSEE TITANS 7-6

Last week: W, 30-9 vs JAC
Last rank: 16th

Recap: Thanks to a 9-6 win in Week 3 at Jacksonville, the Titans were in position to sweep the Jaguars for the second consecutive season. And Mike Vrabel’s did something the club couldn’t in the teams’ first meeting and scored a touchdown by taking the opening possession of the game and marching 73 yards on 10 plays. Later in the second quarter after a successful goal line stand, Derrick Henry stiff-armed his way to a 99-yard TD run – tying the NFL record – and the rout was on. The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner finished with 238 yards and four scores on only 17 carries. And the Titans’ defense finished with four sacks of Jaguars’ quarterback Cody Kessler.

Next Week: The Titans travel to MetLife Stadium to face the improving New York Giants. It’s the first meeting between these franchises since Big Blue came away with an easy 36-7 triumph at Nashville in 2014. On the other hand, Tennessee came away with a 29-10 triumph in 2010 in their last appearance at East Rutherford.

Playoff hopes: Vrabel’s club remains very much in the postseason mix. And their prime time victory did keep them in the mix for the club’s first division title since 2008. Combine that with Sunday’s home loss by the Houston Texans and things got a little easier on that front. But Tennessee needs to close with a burst.

14: MIAMI DOLPHINS 7-6

Last week: W, 34-33 vs NE
Last rank: 18th

Recap: Back in Week 4 at Foxborough, Adam Gase’s club was handed its first loss of the season and it came in resounding fashion. Now the Dolphins looked for revenge after that 38-7 setback and this time their clash with the rival Patriots. The first half was a back-and-forth affair which saw Miami down 27-21 at intermission. But the ‘Fins running game was a major factor all afternoon and wound up amassing 189 yards – 92 of that by ageless veteran Frank Gore. But Gase’s team saved the very best for the very end the game. Down 33-28 in the closing seconds, running back Kenyan Drake reached the end zone on a play that must be seen to be believed.

Next Week: The unpredictable Dolphins head north to the Twin Cities for the first time since 2010 as they renew acquaintances with the Minnesota Vikings for the first time since ‘14. Miami has won the last three meetings dating back to 2006, the latest a 37-35 victory at South Florida in ‘14.

Playoff hopes: The Dolphins are back above .500 after back-to-back wins. At 7-6, they are tied with three other teams in the conference in terms of win-loss record. And Gase’s club does own a 6-4 mark within the conference. If this club can build on these last two victories, it could return to the playoffs for the second time in three years.

13: BALTIMORE RAVENS 7-6

Last week: L, 27-24 at KC (OT)
Last rank: 12th

Recap: John Harbaugh’s club had allowed an NFL-low 214 points after 13 weeks and took a three-game winning streak into Arrowhead Stadium to face the league’s highest-scoring team. The game was the Ravens for the taking as the club owned a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter. Baltimore’s defense limited Kansas City to 94 yards on the ground, sacked Patrick Mahomes three times and stole one of his passes. But Don Martindale’s unit couldn’t get the key stop and enabled the Chiefs to march 75 yards in just over three minutes to tie the score. Lamar Jackson totaled 71 of the team’s 198 yards rushing and threw for two scores but it wasn’t enough.

Next Week: The Ravens return home and host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time since 2010. It’s just the sixth encounter in this interconference series which began in 2001. Baltimore has prevailed in the last three meetings dating back to 2006, the latest a 48-17 victory at Tampa in 2014.

Playoff hopes: There are four teams with a 7-6 record in the AFC and Harbaugh’s club is one of them. Baltimore owns a 6-4 record in the conference and that certainly helps their cause. But can the defense carry the load down the stretch? That’s been the Ravens’ biggest problem the last few years when it comes to trying to close the deal.

12: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 7-6

Last week: W, 24-21 at HOU
Last rank: 13th

Recap: A week ago, the Colts saw their five-game losing streak go by the wayside. Meanwhile, quarterback Andrew Luck’s stretch of eight straight games with at least three touchdown passes bit the dust as well. So could Frank Reich’s team rebound after a shutout loss at Jacksonville with a win over the very hot Houston Texans? Luck threw for 237 yards and one score (1 interception) in the first half as the Colts took a 17-7 lead at intermission. The talented signal-caller finished with 399 yards through the air and added another score in the second half. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis’ defense sacked Texans’ quarterback five times in the three-point victory.

Next Week: The Colts host the Dallas Cowboys for the first time since 2010 and look to get back on the winning track in this infrequent setting. When last these franchises clashed, Indianapolis was on the very wrong end of a 42-7 loss at Arlington in ‘14. The Colts have dropped three straight to the Cowboys dating back to 2006.

Playoff hopes: It was a nice bounce back effort for a team that was shut out a week ago at Jacksonville. The Colts are in the AFC playoff scrum and are a much-improved club that is now 6-1 in its last seven outings after that miserable 1-5 start. But can they complete the comeback? They made need to run the table to do so.

11: DALLAS COWBOYS 8-5

Last week: W, 29-23 vs PHI (OT)
Last rank: 11th

Recap: For much of the afternoon, the Dallas offense once again struggled to get out of its own way. Quarterback Dak Prescott wound up turning over the football three times, throwing a pair of interceptions, while being under steady pressure. But the resilient performer hung tough and when it was all said and done, he connected on 42-of-54 passes for 455 yards and three touchdowns. All of those scores went to wide receiver Amari Cooper, who finished the game with 10 grabs, good for 217 yards. Dallas’s defense made the Eagles’ attack one-dimensional as they limited Birds to just 34 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

Next Week: The Cowboys head north to Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time since 2010 as these interconference foes clash for the first time since 2014. Dallas has prevailed in three straight meetings in this series in ’06, including a 38-35 overtime victory in ’10 when the clubs’ last squared off at Indianapolis.

Playoff hopes: Garrett’s club has put itself in prime position to capture the NFC East for the third time in five years. The team completed the sweep of the defending Super Bowl champions and owns a 4-1 record vs. their divisional rivals. Being realistic, the Cowboys have a chance to win up as the NFC’s third-seed if they continue to win.

10: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 8-5

Last week: W, 21-7

Last rank: 10th

Recap: Many felt it was going to be a rebuilding year in the Pacific Northwest. And after Pete Carroll’s team got off to 0-2 start, it appeared the Seattle Seahawks had a lot of work to do if they were going to once again become a playoff contender. But a team that finished just 23rd in the NFL in rushing in 2017 was leading the league into that category entering the final four weeks of the season. The key has been an offensive line that is much-improved from recent years. Quarterback Russell Wilson continues to be efficient. He’s already thrown for 29 scores while being picked off only five times. Meanwhile, a new-look Seattle defense has had its ups and downs.

Next Week: For the second time in three weeks, the Seahawks will battle the 49ers. Only this time, the game will be in San Francisco. Of course, it hasn’t mattered where this showdown has taken place. Including the 2013 NFC title game, Carroll’s club has taken 10 straight in this rivalry – the most recent a 43-16 win at Seattle in Week 13.

Playoff hopes: The Seahawks are clicking on a lot of cylinders these days, although their once-formidable defensive unit remains suspect at best. But the team’s much-improved offensive line has certainly been the key to the club’s turnaround after a 0-2 start. And that 6-3 conference record is worth noting as well.

9: PITTSBURGH STEELERS 7-5-1

Last week: L, 24-21 at OAK
Last rank: 7th

Recap: Off consecutive losses to the Broncos and Chargers, the Steelers headed west to Oakland to face the struggling Raiders. Mike Tomlin’s team would be without running back James Conner, who suffered a severe ankle injury in last week’s Sunday night loss to the Bolts. Enter Jaylen Samuels, who totaled 11 carries for 28 yards and caught seven passes for 64 yards. But even when Ben Roethlisberger was sidelined briefly, the offense remained unbalanced. The veteran signal-caller would return in the fourth quarter and give his team a brief lead. But in the closing seconds and with a chance to send the game into OT, kicker Chris Boswell literally fell down on the job.

Next Week: For the second consecutive year, the Steelers host the New England Patriots in Week 15. It’s a series that has not gone the way of Tomlin’s team as of late. Including a 36-17 loss in the 2016 AFC Championship Game at Foxborough, Pittsburgh has dropped five straight in this series dating back to 2013.

Playoff hopes: Make it three consecutive losses for a team that not long ago was in the midst of a six-game winning streak. Fortunately for Tomlin’s club, the second-place Baltimore Ravens came up short on Sunday as well. But a lot of things are starting to go wrong for this talented yet perplexing team.

8: MINNESOTA VIKINGS 6-6-1

Last week: L, 21-7 at SEA
Last rank: 9th

Recap: A team that many felt was the most balanced in the league entering 2018 has been erratic at best. A year ago, the Vikings lost only three regular-season games on their way to a division title. After 12 games this season, Mike Zimmer’s club is struggling to stay above .500 marks and has been chasing the Chicago Bears for the top spot in the NFC North. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown more than twice as many TD passes (23) as interceptions (9) but has also been sacked 30 times and lost six of his eight fumbles. Wideout Adam Thielen has been huge. But the ground game has been spotty for numerous reasons and a once-proud defense has been inconsistent at best.

Next Week: Zimmer’s up-and-down team returns home and faces the Miami Dolphins as these clubs clash for the first time since 2014. That season, the Vikings lost a 37-35 shootout in South Florida. As for the franchises’ last clash in the Twin Cities, the Purple Gang fell short as well, 14-10.

Playoff hopes: The team’s showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night may go a long way to this team getting back to the playoffs this year. And even with a road win, the Vikings will still trail the Chicago Bears in the NFC North standings and have already dropped one game to Matt Nagy’s team earlier this year.

7: CHICAGO BEARS 9-4

Last week: W, 15-6 vs LAR
Last rank: 8th

Recap: Coordinator Vic Fangio and his defensive unit would have quite the challenge on Sunday night as the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams invaded Soldier Field. Bears’ head Coach Matt Nagy would have quarterback Mitch Trubisky at the controls after a two-game absence. And he appeared a bit rusty despite throwing a third-quarter touchdown pass to tackle eligible Bradley Sowell. The second-year pro was also picked off three times and finished with only 110 yards through the air. But this game belong to Fangio’s defense. It limited the Rams to 214 total yards, sacked Jared Goff three times (once for a safety) and stole four of his passes.

Next Week: The Bears look to exact some revenge from their heartbreaking 24-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field back in Week 1. All told, Chicago has dropped five straight in this legendary rivalry dating back to ‘16. And starting with the 2010 NFC title game, the Bears have lost eight straight to the Pack at Soldier Field.

Playoff hopes: The team wrapped up its first winning campaign since 2012, when the club finished 10-6 but failed to reach the playoffs. This is a club that has come a long way considering the franchise had finished last in the NFC North each of the previous four seasons. Now Nagy and company eye the Bears’ first division title since 2010.

6: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 9-4

Last week: L, 34-33 at MIA
Last rank: 5th

Recap: South Florida has not been an ideal setting for the Patriots, who had dropped four of their last five road games in this series entering Sunday’s contest. Back in Week 4, New England rolled the Dolphins, 38-7, at Foxborough. On Sunday, these longtime divisional rivals went back and forth all day. The Patriots owned a 27-21 lead at halftime and a 33-28 advantage with seven seconds on the clock. But the Dolphins lateraled their way to a 69-yard touchdown as time expired and stunned Bill Belichick’s team. It was an odd performance by the club, who gave up 189 yards on the ground and watched kicker Stephen Gostkowski miss a PAT and a 42-yard field goal.

Next Week: The Pats have had the Pittsburgh Steelers’ number per say in recent years. And it hasn’t mattered were the game has been played. Dating back to 2001 and including three wins in the AFC title game, New England owns an 11-3 edge in the series. That includes last season’s 27-24 win at Heinz Field (Week 15).

Playoff hopes: The Patriots were seconds away from clinching a 10th straight AFC East title. But it wasn’t meant to be and that will have to wait another week. Belichick’s perplexing team now owns a disappointing 3-4 road record and now heads to Pittsburgh for a key showdown within the conference.

5: HOUSTON TEXANS 9-4

Last week: L, 24-21 vs IND
Last rank: 4th

Recap: A year ago, the Texans dropped their final six games. The club opened 2018 with three straight losses. Now that nine-game overall skid has been offset by the same number of consecutive victories heading into Sunday’s rematch with the Indianapolis Colts. But the AFC South leaders trailed 17-7 at intermission and watched Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck shred their secondary for 399 yards and a pair of touchdowns (1 interception). Houston’s ground attack was limited to 89 yards and Deshaun Watson was sacked five times. All told, one of the better defenses in the league allowed a disappointing 436 total yards on 50 plays.

Next Week: Last season, the Texans and New York Jets both finished last in their respective divisions. Now these teams meet on a Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in a battle of clubs obviously headed in different directions. Houston came away with a 24-17 home victory in 2015 when last these clubs squared off.

Playoff hopes: Once the rival Titans won on Thursday night, O’Brien’s team was not able to clinch the AFC South even with a victory over the Colts. Now both Tennessee and Indianapolis are two games behind the first-place Texans with three weeks to play. The team now looks to rebound and faces a short week.

4: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 10-3

Last week: W, 26-21 vs CIN
Last rank: 6th

Recap: The surging Bolts hosted the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday and would once again be without running back Melvin Gordon. And Anthony Lynn’s club would jump out to a 14-3 second-quarter lead thanks to touchdowns by Keenan Allen (via Philip Rivers) and running back Austin Ekeler, respectively. But the Chargers struggled to put away Marvin Lewis’ team and the Los Angeles’ defense had its issues when it came to slowing down the Cincinnati ground attack. Lynn’s team allowed 144 yards rushing and that help keep Rivers and company off the field for more than half the game. But the Chargers made enough plays down the stretch to close the deal.

Next Week: They have been the team’s albatross for far too long. The Bolts head east to Kansas City for a Thursday night tilt against a Chiefs’ club that has defeated them nine consecutive times, including a 38-28 setback in Week 1 at Los Angeles. The Chargers have also dropped four straight at Arrowhead Stadium dating back to ‘14.

Playoff hopes: The Bolts could have wrapped up their first postseason berth this week with a win and some help. But the other teams in the AFC that they needed to lose simply did not. Still, the team is just one game behind the Chiefs for the division lead. And with 10 wins, it’s the club’s first double-digit victory campaign since 2009.

3: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 11-2

Last week: W, 27-24 vs BAL (OT)
Last rank: 3rd

Recap: The AFC West leaders were challenged in a big way and it took some clutch moments from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Tyreek Hill to rescue Andy Reid’s club. Down 24-17 late in the fourth quarter, the second-year signal-caller rescued his team twice on fourth down and the club managed to tie the tough Baltimore Ravens, 24-all, with :53 seconds to play. The Chiefs had a chance to pull out a win in the closing seconds but kicker Harrison Butker pulled a 43-yard field goal attempt to the right. His 35-yard boot in the extra session would prove to be the difference. Mahomes was picked off once but threw for 377 yards and two scores.

Next Week: Reid’s club looks to make it 10 consecutive wins over the rival Los Angeles Chargers as the clubs battle on a Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Back in Week 1 on the West Coast, the Chiefs came away with a 38-28 victory over the Bolts. Kansas City has won eight straight games vs. AFC West rivals dating back to Week 9 of ‘17.

Playoff hopes: The Chiefs are headed back to the postseason for the fourth consecutive years. And the team certainly moved closer to a first-round playoff bye with the losses by the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. The club showed a lot of resourcefulness in the fourth quarter and overtime in this latest victory.

2: LOS ANGELES RAMS 11-2

Last week: L, 15-6 at CHI
Last rank: 1st

Recap: It was a chilly evening in the Windy City as the 2018 NFC West champions invaded Soldier Field. It would prove to be quite the defensive struggle as Sean McVay’s club was limited to a mere 98 yards and two field goals in the second half. Meanwhile, usually-reliable Jared Goff was picked off twice in the game’s first 30 minutes. And things didn’t get any better after halftime as the third-year quarterback served up two more interceptions. All told, the Rams finished the evening with 214 total yards and failed to score a touchdown. And Los Angeles’ suspect defensive unit gave up a whopping 194 yards on the ground.

Next Week: The Rams host the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. It is the second consecutive year these two teams will face each other at Los Angeles, with this meeting taking place in prime time. A season ago in Week 14, the Birds came away with a 43-35 victory in a game in which Wentz (knee) was lost for the remainder of the year.

Playoff hopes: With a win, the Rams had a chance to clinch a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs. Instead, the team once again has the same win-loss record as the New Orleans Saints – the team that handed them their first loss of 2018. Still, McVay’s division champions is in prime position to get one of the conference’s top two seeds.

1: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 11-2

Last week: W, 28-14 at TB
Last rank: 2nd

Recap: The Saints looked to get back on track this week at Tampa after seeing their 10-game winning streak snapped at Dallas. But this was a Buccaneers’ team that prevailed at the Superdome (48-40) back on opening weekend. This time around, Sean Payton’s club dug itself a 14-3 halftime hole in which the club managed only 104 total yards, including only three on the ground. But that changed in a big way in the second half as New Orleans’ defense pitched a shutout while Drew Brees and company came up with 25 answered points. Mark Ingram (52) and Alvin Kamara (51) combined for 25 carries for 103 yards on the ground, the former scoring a TD as well.

Next Week: A year ago, the Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers a total of three times. That included a 31-26 victory in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at the Superdome. The teams renew acquaintances on Monday night at Charlotte, the first of two meetings in the final three weeks of the season between the clubs.

Playoff hopes: The victory over the Buccaneers not only avenged the team’s Week 1 loss to this club but gave Payton’s squad its second consecutive NFC South title. It marks the first time that the Saints has won consecutive division crowns. The team owns an impressive 22-5 regular-season record since opening ’02 in 2017.