Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 6

Oct 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 39-17. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston and Doug Martin won a shootout at home for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Albeit, it was against the Jacksonville Jaguars who are 1-4, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are starting to put it together on offense. If Doug Martin returns to rookie form, then Tampa might have a suitable foundation for a believable play-action fake for Jameis Winston to run. With weapons like Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, look out!

However, the Tampa 2 defense of HC Lovie Smith is out of date and does not account for slot receivers. If the Jacksonville Jaguars can put up 31 points on it, I wonder how the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants, among others, will attack the antiquated defense. Tampa Bay could be a 7-9 team this year if the offense continues to improve and the defense doesn’t force the Bucs to win shootouts every week.

We can’t put all the blame on QB Brandon Weeden for Dallas’ 3-game slide. The Cowboys have not been the same team since letting the Atlanta Falcons score 25 unanswered points to lose 39-28 in Week 3. New Orleans has their only win of 2015 against Dallas on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. New England manhandled them in Week 5, 30-6.

Their defense has allowed at least 26 points in four of their five games. Dallas limps into their Week 6 bye, hoping to get healthy enough for the team to tread water when QB Tony Romo comes back likely Week 12 versus Carolina. I thought this team was NFC Championship caliber entering 2015. This feels like a 6-10 team, assuming they win both road games against Tampa Bay and Miami. We’re seeing troubled times once again in Big D.

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I look at Monday Night as a borderline must-win game for the Philadelphia Eagles. If they are going to want to stay relevant in the NFC East, the Eagles have to beat the division leading New York Football Giants on their own turf. Philly cannot afford to start divisional play at 0-3.

Sam Bradford finally looked solid in HC Chip Kelly’s offense and RB DeMarco Murray had a Pro Bowl caliber game for the first time this season. Albeit, it was against the 1-4 New Orleans Saints. If the Eagles are unable to fly on Monday Night, then this team might sulk to a 2-5 record into their Week 8 bye. A loss to New York at home means the Eagles probably won’t win in Carolina the next week.

The St. Louis Rams are the most confusing team in the NFC, period. Are they good or are they mediocre? Can they win games outside of the NFC West? Are we looking at a 6-10 team that goes undefeated in divisional play? Can the St. Louis Rams end their 11-year playoff drought?

With a strong defense and a stud rookie tailback in Todd Gurley, all it will take is sound quarterback play and coaching. Unfortunately the Rams are in a position where they have to rely on both QB Nick Foles and HC Jeff Fisher should they want to make the postseason. Defense and running the ball can get this team over the hump, but Foles can’t throw picks like he did in Green Bay if the Rams want to contend in 2015.

Next: Tier II: NFC Playoff Contenders