Tag: NFL power rankings

How to Watch Patriots vs. Texans, NFL Week 13 Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Patriots vs. Texans Live Online.

The New England Patriots (10-1) bring their AFC East-leading squad to NRG Stadium to take on the AFC South-leading Texans (7-4). New England won 27-20 at Gillette Stadium last year and owns both AFC Divisional Playoff victories between these two teams. The Texans only win was nearly a decade ago in 2010, when they edged the Patriots 34-27 in Houston. The Patriots are 10-1 all-time vs. Texans.

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Patriots vs. Texans

When: Sunday, December 1

Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

TV: NBC

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Tom Brady is frustrated with the offensive production of the Patriots, and rightfully so. The team posted 20 points in a loss to the Ravens, 17 the following week in a win against the Eagles, and beat the Cowboys 13-9 in a defensive battle this past weekend. Brady completed 17 of 37 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown. Sony Michel rushed for 85 yards and Julian Edelman was the leading receiver with 93 yards. The offensive depth chart is incredibly thin due to injuries. This unit will need to get going, as the defense can only carry them for so long.

This year we’ve seen stellar defenses in the NFL, including the 49ers and the Patriots. Lamar Jackson proved that New England’s group isn’t perfect, but he’s been doing that to opponents all season long. The unit held the Cowboys No. 1 scoring offense to zero touchdowns in the game and Dak Prescott to a mere 212 yards passing, while also tossed an interception. All-Pro wide receiver Amari Cooper was unable to reel in any receptions for the first time in his career as a Cowboy. Dallas converted only two of 13 third-down attempts as well. The Patriots defense simply shutdown the Cowboys and will face another tough offense in the Houston Texans.

After a 41-7 beatdown at the hands of the Ravens, the Texans narrowly defeated the Colts 20-17 last weekend. If they thought it was difficult scoring points on Indy, it won’t get any easier when the Patriots come rolling into town with their defense that ranks second in total defense (256.4 YPG) and passing yards allowed (158 YPG). Last weekend, Watson threw for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns. Will Fuller had his second-best game of the season with seven catches for 140 yards, while DeAndre Hopkins added six receptions for 94 yards and two scores. Can this offensive line protect Watson and give him time to throw the ball to his talented wide receivers? Will they be able to get running back Carlos Hyde going to set up the play-action pass? How they respond to these questions will be crucial to their success on Sunday.

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Ravens continue top-place dominance in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings

Beating up on the Los Angeles Rams, 45-6, the Baltimore Ravens proved they’re deserving of the top spot on the power rankings.

Coming into Week 12, plenty of pundits and doubters wondered just how the Baltimore Ravens and their league-leading rushing attack would fare against a Los Angeles Rams defense well equipped to stop it. On the very first drive of the night for Baltimore, we had our answer . . . Running the ball seven of their first nine plays, the Ravens gained 49 yards on the ground. They finished the game with 285 net rushing yards while only allowing Los Angeles to have 221 total net yards.

Since Week 7, Baltimore has been answering every question and caveat put up by those doubting them; and in dominant fashion. After having claimed lopsided victories over four playoff-caliber teams and going on a seven-game winning streak, there should be no one doubting how great this Ravens team actually is.

At the very least, Nate Davis of USA TODAY Sports isn’t. For a third consecutive week, Davis has Baltimore in the No. 1 spot on his power rankings list.

“Yet another milestone now in Lamar Jackson’s sights? He can break franchise’s single-season record for TD passes, which is 33 — set by Vinny Testaverde in 1996.”

Jackson is currently the frontrunner for the NFL’s MVP award this season as well as the leader in Pro Bowl voting — and all for good reason. Jackson was already a dynamic runner but has steadily improved his passing game with each week as he picks apart solid defenses.

Jackson is tied with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson for touchdown passes at 24. But by doing that on 53 fewer attempts, Jackson leads the league in TD% rate. He’s also tied for the third-highest passer rating and is just the third player in NFL history to post two perfect, 158.3 passer rating games in a single season. All of it combined makes Jackson the best quarterback in the NFL at this point.

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Broncos among 6 worst teams in NFL power rankings

After yet another loss, the Broncos are now considered one of the league’s six worst teams in NFL power rankings.

After losing to the Buffalo Bills (8-3) 20-3 in Week 13, the Denver Broncos (3-8) dropped one spot in Nate Davis’ weekly NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. The Broncos are now ranked No. 27, considered one of the six worst teams in the league — at least in the eyes of Davis.

Here is Davis’ commentary with Denver’s ranking:

Shoutout to Courtland Sutton, who’s developed into Pro Bowl-caliber wideout under less-than-ideal offensive circumstances this season.

Sutton has played with two different quarterbacks this season (Joe Flacco and Brandon Allen) and he might play with a third (Drew Lock) by the end of the year. Sutton has proved to be a reliable target for whoever lines up under center, catching 50 passes for 832 yards and four touchdowns.

The Broncos are the lowest-ranked AFC West team, behind the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 21), Oakland Raiders (No. 20) and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 8). The Baltimore Ravens are ranked No. 1 and the Cincinnati Bengals are ranked No. 32. View the complete power rankings here.

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Buccaneers move up one spot in latest USA TODAY NFL Power Rankings

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ big win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 moved them up one spot in the latest USA TODAY NFL Power Rankings.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled off the upset in Week 12 by taking down the Atlanta Falcons on the road.

The Falcons were coming off two-straight wins against division foes — the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, respectively — and had outscored their opponents 55-12 in those wins.

But, the Buccaneers managed to find a way to carve up a revamped Falcons defense, and one of the ways they did that was with a bit of trickery. Nose tackle and human behemoth Vita Vea caught his first career touchdown pass from Jameis Winston in the 35-22 win, and as the Buccaneers moved up one spot this week in the latest USA TODAY Power Rankings, the question was asked, why hasn’t Vea been utilized more on offense?

 “The real question, given Bucs’ 20th-ranked ground game, is why hasn’t high school RB Vita Vea been in backfield far more often in 2019?”

Vea and the Buccaneers take to the road again in Week 13, this time staying in-state to take on the 4-7 Jacksonville Jaguars, who are still looking for their first win with quarterback Nick Foles under center.

Surprisingly, the Jags, who were humiliated Sunday by the Tennessee Titans and fell to No. 25 in the power rankings, are favorites over the Bucs at home.

Some extra motivation for Tampa Bay, perhaps?

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Power rankings: Bills rise, but many watching looming schedule

Buffalo Bills outlook in power rankings ahead of Week 13 in national outlets.

After a 20-3 win over the Denver Broncos, the Bills are sitting pretty in most power rankings polls via national outlets.

Plenty already have the Bills in the top-10. Regardless, almost all are looking at Buffalo’s looming schedule. The Bills have the hardest-remaining schedule in the NFL and many of the polls indicate that the league will see the Bills’ true colors in the coming weeks.

Here’s how the Bills fared in

USA Today

12. Bills (15): Much has been made of Buffalo’s Division II schedule, but next four games against teams with winning records. What will we learn about Bills?

Touchdown Wire

6. Buffalo Bills

(8-3. Last week: 9)

The big news in Buffalo’s 20-3 win over the Broncos was Frank Gore’s 65 rushing yards, which moved him to 15,289 yards for his career, moving him to third in NFL history behind only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. Rookie Devin Singletary contributed 106 yards on 21 carries, quarterback Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, and Buffalo’s defense overwhelmed Denver quarterback Brandon Allen. The Broncos had just three drives that went into Buffalo territory, and their five final drives were all three-and-outs for a total of two yards. Allen had just four yards passing in the first half. Are the Bills the most under-the-radar eight-win team through 12 weeks of an NFL season in recent memory? It’s starting to look that way.

NFL.com

10. Bills (8-3)

Previous rank: No. 14

“Eight and three? That feels good to me. I ain’t never been 8-3 in the NFL.” That was Shaq Lawson, after the defensive end finished with two sacks and three pressures in the Bills’ 20-3 win over the Broncos. Lawson is in his fourth season, but he could be wrapping up his 20th year in Buffalo and still be tasting 8-3 for the first time. (The 1996 Bills were the last team to start 8-3). Yes, these are optimistic days in Western New York, where the local team is in prime position for a second trip to the playoffs in three years. The D was dominant on Sunday, holding Denver to a piddly 134 yards. Brandon Allen did not lead the Broncos on a drive of more than 48 yards in a contest that never felt in doubt for the home team, even when it was 6-0 at the half. The Bills are good.

Yahoo! Sports

9. Buffalo Bills (8-3, LW: 10)

Rookie Devin Singletary had his first 100-yard rushing game on Sunday. He has three starts and has 276 rushing yards with a 4.9-yard average. The Bills’ third-round pick is looking very good.

Bleacher Report

11. Buffalo Bills (8-3)

High: 9

Low: 16

Last Week: 14

Week 12 Result: Won vs. Denver 20-3

In many respects, the fact that Frank Gore passed Barry Sanders for No. 3 on the NFL’s all-time rushing list while playing for the Buffalo Bills is apt.

Like Gore has been for most of a career that will probably land him in Canton one day, the Bills have been very good in 2019. Buffalo’s decisive win over the Broncos on Sunday gives the team a two-game lead over the sixth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers with five to play. Barring a total collapse, the Bills are going to make the playoffs as the AFC’s top wild card.

“Buffalo continues to take advantage of a weak schedule,” Sobleski said. “As a result, the Bills own the AFC’s third-best record and inside track to the top wild-card playoff spot. Yes, Buffalo has concern areas and struggled against the better teams it faced, yet the team deserves credit for winning the games it should win. Sure, the Bills might be one-and-done in the playoffs, but that’s something to worry about for another time.”

That’s the thing. Like Gore has been for much of his career, the Bills are widely considered good—but not great. You’d be hard-pressed to find a pundit who thinks this team can hang with the Patriots, Ravens and Chiefs in the postseason.

We’re about to find out just how good the Bills are, though. Thursday’s Turkey Day trip to Dallas kicks off a nasty four-game stretch that features a home date with the Ravens and trips to face the Cowboys, Steelers and Patriots before wrapping up the regular season at home against the Jets.

If the Bills want respect, here comes an opportunity to earn it.

Sporting News

10. Buffalo Bills, 8-3 (14)

The Bills turned in another dominant performance against an overmatched opponent, trading the Dolphins for the Broncos. Now they’ll see if they can feast again to get a transcendent statement victory over the Cowboys — who have yet to beat a winning team — on the road on Thanksgiving.

ESPN

10. Buffalo Bills (8-3)

What they’re thankful for: WR John Brown.

The Bills signed Brown to a three-year contract this offseason to serve an integral role in their passing offense. Not only has he stabilized Buffalo’s offense, he is the AFC’s leading receiver through 11 games. Brown is on pace for 85 catches and 1,245 receiving yards — which would both be career highs in his sixth season. Without him, the Bills’ passing game would take a drastic hit.

CBS Sports

8. Bills

They look to be in good shape for a playoff berth, but now the schedule toughens up in a big way. Their game at Dallas Thursday will be fun.

NBC Sports

10. Bills (8-3; No. 9)

They’ll likely get to the playoffs; can they win once the playoffs start?

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Seahawks inch up to No. 4 in Touchdown Wire’s Week 13 power rankings

The Seahawks continue their climb in the NFL power rankings after beating the Eagles to advance to 9-2 on the season and 6-0 on the road.

The Seahawks continue their climb in the NFL power rankings after beating the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday to advance to 9-2 on the season and a perfect 6-0 road record.

Seattle has jumped up two spots to land at No. 4 in Touchdown Wire’s Week 13 rankings.

“The Seahawks’ win over the Eagles on Sunday resembled the Legion of Boom days more than most anything Russell Wilson has accomplished this season,” writes Doug Farrar. “Though he did connect with receiver Malik Turner on a ridiculous 33-yard flea-flicker touchdown, Wilson was uncharacteristically shut down by Philly’s normally vulnerable secondary, completing 13 of 25 passes for 200 yards, that one touchdown, and his third interception of the year.”

“It was Seattle’s defense, with its ability to harass Carson Wentz and shut down the Eagles’ limited receivers, who really defined this game – even without the injured Jadeveon Clowney,” Farrar continues. “Also, 2018 first-round pick (and near-bust based on overall performance) Rashaad Penny gained a career-high 128 yards on the ground. Another unusual wrinkle: The team known for the most prominent home-field advantage in the NFL is one of two remaining undefeated road teams, and the Seahawks’ 6-0 away record beats San Francisco’s by one game.”

The Seahawks are next set to square off against the Vikings in primetime in an NFC matchup that can’t be missed.

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Cardinals move up a spot in USA TODAY power rankings after bye week

The NFC West has two top-five teams and three top-15 teams.

The Arizona Cardinals did not play on Sunday because it was their bye week. However, even without playing, they managed to move up in USA TODAY’s latest power rankings.

They moved up one place, from No. 25 to No. 24 overall.

This week, Chandler Jones’ production is brought up.

Chandler Jones on track to lead league in sacks for second time in three seasons, yet does anybody give him acclaim he clearly deserves?

No, Jones does not get the praise he deserves but the Cardinals haven’t played well enough for him to get attention. And because he normally is consistent about getting one sack a game, that isn’t super flashy. It is consistent but it isn’t flashy.

As for the team, their ranking is fair. They are behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat the Cardinals and has won four games this season. The Cardinals are still ahead of the three teams they have beaten and the one they tied with.

What about the rest of the NFC West?

With their loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the 6-5 Los Angeles Rams fell from 11th to 14th overall. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are No. 5 and the San Francisco 49ers are No 3.

No other division has two top-five teams or three top-15 teams.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Lions heading towards the bottom of the league

The Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings have been released and the Detroit Lions are headed to the bottom of the league.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) appear to be nearing rock bottom and their Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings reflect that. After yet another disastrous loss — this time to a bad Washington team — the current situation in Detroit has left a sour taste in the mouths of analysts.

Let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in the national eye.

USA Today: 30 (Previous: 28)

“Why wouldn’t they shut down Matthew Stafford? Maybe that comes next week, when they’ll likely be officially eliminated from playoff picture.” — Nate Davis

Touchdown Wire: 27 (Previous: 22)

“In NFL history, only one non-strike team has held the lead in each of its first 11 games, and won three or fewer — the 2004 Chiefs. That Chiefs team started their season 3-8 and wound up with a 7-9 record, so we suppose head coach Matt Patricia could tell his team that the 2019 Lions, who have now joined that short list, are capable of going on a nice run. However, the opposing arguments are comprehensive. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel was completely lost against the Redskins’ defense (which is a severe indictment in and of itself), completing 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Detroit’s run game is nonexistent, and its man-based pass defense has fallen apart in a relative sense this season. This franchise fired Jim Caldwell as its head coach after the 2017 season because two straight 9-7 seasons weren’t good enough. What does the Ford family make of Patricia’s 9-17-1 mark through almost two seasons?” — Doug Farrar

NFL: 28 (Previous: 25)

“A season that begin with promise has descended into ugliness. A 19-16 loss to the lowly Redskins is the seventh defeat in eight games for Detroit, which has gone into a nosedive with Matthew Stafford out of the lineup with a back injury. Jeff Driskel had some positive moments early in his stint as Stafford’s understudy, but he had a bad game against Washington, throwing interceptions in each of Detroit’s final possessions to seal the loss. And while the defense wasn’t the culprit on Sunday, this remains a unit that has given up nearly 29 points per game over the last eight games. Throw in some poor special teams, and Matt Patricia appears to be in a fair bit of trouble. The second-year coach probably needs a strong finish for a chance at another season on the sideline. A playoff stakes-free Thanksgiving matchup against the Bears is up next.” — Dan Hanzus

ESPN: 22 (Previous: 21)

“What they’re thankful for: WRs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. Even in a lowlight of a season, Golladay and Jones are showing to be a potent receiving duo. Both receivers have a chance to top 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019 — remarkable considering Matthew Stafford has been out the past three weeks. The Lions have both players, as well as Stafford, under contract in 2020, so there is something to build on offensively in Detroit, even in a season going nowhere.” — Michael Rothstein

CBS Sports: 29 (Previous 23)

“Without Matt Stafford, they just aren’t good team. Is Matt Patricia safe? Should he be?” — Pete Prisco

Sports Illustrated: 28 (Previous: 24)

“Remember when this team was “better than their record indicated?” Yeah, sorry about that. No Stafford didn’t help, backup Jeff Driskel threw three picks, the defense went home halfway through the fourth quarter and Matt Patricia’s bunch is officially punched out for 2019.” — MMQB staff

Sporting News: 26 (Previous: 23)

“The Lions can think about what could have been the past three weeks had Matthew Stafford been able to continue his career-best play, but as they’ve found something with their defense and running game, they’ve been let down by Jeff Driskel’s play. Will that be enough to give Matt Patricia a free pass in Year 2?” — Vinnie Iyer

NFL power rankings, Week 13: Saints tumble after too-close win vs. Panthers

The New Orleans Saints still can’t win convincingly enough for a top spot in NFL power rankings, trailing teams like the Seattle Seahawks.

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Week 12 was a little more dramatic than it should have been for the New Orleans Saints, in which a series of penalties and mistakes allowed the Carolina Panthers to rally back from a late-game 13-point deficit. While the Saints did win the day on a last-second Wil Lutz field goal, that sloppy execution cost them in the latest NFL power rankings from Doug Farrar over at Touchdown Wire.

Requiring the opposing team’s kicker to miss a chip-shot field goal and two extra point tries to escape with a win, especially against a team that scored just three points a week earlier. It caused the Saints to tumble from third-place to fifth-best:

The Saints kept up with the Seahawks and just behind the 49ers in an NFC race that seems increasingly low on oxygen at the top. It took more than one might expect for New Orleans to beat the Panthers, 37-34, in a last-second thriller. Carolina overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter with a 4-yard Christian McCaffrey run and a 2-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Allen to D.J. Moore (who also caught passes of 51 and 52 yards) to tie the game, but the Panthers’ inability to push it in from the Saints’ 3-yard line on their final drive, and Joey Slye’s missed field goal with 2:00 left in the game, set things up for New Orleans’ definitive drive. That Drew Brees’ team had the better kicker in Will Lutz was the deciding factor in a game that was messier than Sean Payton wanted it to be. Payton’s team finished with 12 penalties for 123 yards, including a highly ironic pass-interference call, and a pass defense that was vulnerable without cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) allowed Allen to look like a franchise quarterback. The Saints have little time to recover from this one, as they play in Atlanta on Thanksgiving.

The teams ahead of the Saints include the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens. While the Saints have stacked plenty of wins this season, they have some clear areas of instability they need to iron out before the playoffs, and time is starting to run out with just five games left in the regular season. New Orleans has proven it can beat any opponent on any field in the league, but it would be great if they can win a little more convincingly down the stretch.

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Steelers slide in latest Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings

Pittsburgh stays in the middle of the pack in latest NFL power rankings.

Just because you win doesn’t mean you will be rewarded for it. This is the situation the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves after NFL Week 12. Despite beating the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 and being a playoff team, the Steelers still aren’t getting the national recognition the fanbase might expect.

In the latest NFL power rankings by our friends over at Touchdown Wire, the Steelers are actually down one spot in this week’s rankings to No. 18. Last week the Steelers were No. 17 coming off their loss to the Cleveland Browns. Here’s what they had to say about the Steelers spot in the rankings.

Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph escaped suspension for his role in the Steelers-Browns fracas in Week 11, but he couldn’t get past his own limitations against the Bengals’ generally awful defense in Week 12. Rudolph threw four interceptions in the Steelers’ loss to Cleveland, but that was overshadowed by Myles Garrett whacking him over the head with his own helmet and Garrett’s subsequent unsubstantiated claim that Rudolph used a racial slur during the incident. Nonetheless, Rudolph completed eight of 16 passes for 85 yards and an interception against Cincinnati, and head coach Mike Tomlin had seen enough, pulling Rudolph in favor of Devlin “Duck” Hodges. As Hodges helped lead the team away from what would have been a mortifying loss to the NFL’s only winless team, it may be that Hodges becomes the starter. And as Pittsburgh next faces the Browns again, there may be more than one reason to go that route.

It is tough to get on the Steelers’ bandwagon with an anemic offense. But as long as the defense keeps playing lights out they will stay relevant on a league level.

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