Takeaways From Week Fourteen In The NFL Season

The playoff picture is becoming more clear, but the race still has some dogs in the fight. There's also a team (and a quarterback) that established themselves during the race. What went down in the fourteenth week of the 2019 NFL season?

• Jimmy Garappolo And The Niners Establish Themselves As The Team To Beat: Garappolo has thrown 11 touchdown and only three interceptions in his past four games, including a four-touchdown performance, a 74.3% completion percentage, and 349 passing yards in a 48-46 victory over New Orleans. Emmanuel Sanders chipped in with seven receptions for 157 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception. With the win, San Francisco has the driver's seat in the NFC. However, a Week 17 match-up at Seattle still looms.
  
• Michael Thomas Should Be IN The MVP Conversation: That doesn't mean the Saints didn't have some bright spots in the loss. Star wideout Michael Thomas had 11 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, which is amazing against one of the top defenses in the NFL. Drew Bress may be the engine that drives the Saints offense. However, games like this prove that Thomas should be the first receiver in NFL history to win the MVP award.
  
• Chiefs Vs. Patriots Was A Tale Of Two Teams Heading In Different Directions: The Chiefs defense, led by Damien Wilson's eight total tackles (two for loss), forced two turnovers en route to a 23-16 victory in Foxboro. The win clinched the AFC West for the Chiefs and gives them the head-to-head tiebreaker over New England for the possibility of a first-round bye. As for New England, is there something wrong with Tom Brady? The Patriots quarterback went 19 for 36 for 169 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the loss. Is Brady's age showing or is New England's receiving group just bad? The Patriots better figure something out before their dynasty comes crashing down.
  

NFL Top Five Power Rankings

1. Baltimore Ravens
   
2. San Francisco 49ers
   
3. New Orleans Saints
   
4. Seattle Seahawks
   
5. Green Bay Packers