Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 5

The St. Louis Rams are now 2-0 in the NFC West with victories over both Seattle and Arizona. We know this Rams team can hang in the West, but can they prove it in their other 10 games this season? So far, they’re 0-2 against everybody else, with losses to Pittsburgh and Washington.

I like their running game, especially with Todd Gurley back to full strength, and their defense. But can QB Nick Foles orchestrate enough offensively to keep the Rams in the Wild Card this year? If they go 5-1 or even 6-0 in the West, then I think the Rams can get back to the Playoffs for the first time since 2004. I see the 2015 St. Louis Rams having a floor of 6-10 and a ceiling of 10-6. It could go either way with this team.

Brandon Weeden isn’t the answer at QB in Tony Romo‘s extended absence. Weeden is 0-2 in his two starts with the Dallas Cowboys. With LB Sean Lee likely entering concussion protocol, will this team’s losing skid continue? The Cowboys’ next four games don’t look favorable (New England, @New York Giants, Seattle, Philadelphia).

I don’t see Dallas as a 2-6 team in the first half of 2015, but 3-5 seems possible. However, should Dallas continue their winning ways in the NFC East, I think they can hang around .500 and contend in the East/NFC Wild Card Picture in 2015. But they’ll really miss Tony Romo. I think he’s eligible to come back Thanksgiving Day against the Carolina Panthers.

More from ATL All Day

• Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
• Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
• Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
• Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
• Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up

It’s hard to pick apart a 4-0 start, but look at who the Carolina Panthers have played (Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans, Tampa Bay). Not that they have any control over this, but their opponents’ combined record is 4-12. They’re first real test of 2015 will come in Week 6 @ Seattle following their bye. Good luck with that.

All that aside, I still find the Carolina Panthers a 10-6 NFC Playoff team, likely contending with the Atlanta Falcons for NFC South supremacy. Cam Newton is a proven quarterback that can win games in adverse circumstances. Their defense is still solid. I’m not blown away with what I’ve seen from Carolina in the first quarter of 2015, but I have a hard time envisioning an NFC Playoffs without the Panthers involved. They are at worst a 6-Seed in the NFC and I’m okay with that.

The Seattle Seahawks are back? I’m not buying it. You beat two of the worst teams at home in the NFC in the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. The defense/special teams are outstanding, but what about the offense?

I’ve seen QB Russell Wilson win with less, but I’m not afraid of this team anymore. Am I wrong to say that? Marshawn Lynch didn’t play on Monday Night Football and is Doug Baldwin the best option Wilson has to deliver the football to? Jimmy Graham would have 4-5 touchdowns by now if he was still in New Orleans. They have the pieces to contend in the NFC, but I’m not sure if they’re better than an 11-5 Wild Card Team in 2015. The Seahawks have a lot left to prove this fall, but are still contenders nevertheless.

Next: Tier I: Projected NFC Division Winners