Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 7
By John Buhler
Dallas Cowboys. 12. team. 123. . . Previous:
Once again, another team that was actually hurt by the bye in my eyes. Until QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant are back in the lineup, this team scares no one. Surely Dallas will improve at quarterback, opting to go with former Pro Bowler Matt Cassel over Brandon Weeden in Week 7. However, that doesn’t help solve the major concerns I have with the defense.
Dallas cannot afford to lose any more ground in the East should they want to stay relevant by the time of Romo’s return. The Cowboys are about to play a must-win game in East Rutherford against the New York Giants, a team they beat by a point in Week 1, 27-26. No team has more instability at quarterback that Dallas at the moment and it’s costing them dearly. A loss to the Giants should drop them down to Tier IV next week.
15. . . Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 11. team
The Saints are now 2-4 with primetime wins over Dallas and arch rival Atlanta. Drew Brees played as well as he has all season against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints’ 31-21 victory on Thursday Night. The pass rush came to life, making Atlanta QB Matt Ryan tremendously uncomfortable in the pocket.
However, beating the Dallas Cowboys when they don’t have Tony Romo and a division team at home on Thursday Night aren’t exactly two of the most convincing wins. The Saints are likely better than a 5-11 team, but not by much. I see 7-9 as this team’s ceiling in 2015.
More from Atlanta Falcons
- Atlanta Falcons Yet Again Making a Terrible Move Signing Matt Schaub
- Atlanta Falcons Must Make This Off-Season Move
- Dan Quinn’s Press Conference Was Filled With Notable Moments. Here’s Some Highlights.
- Atlanta Falcons Re-Sign Kicker Younghoe Koo In Solid Move
- Atlanta Falcons: Is Devonta Freeman’s Time With Falcons Over?
Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 10. team. 42. .
When QB Colin Kaepernick has time to throw in the pocket, he’s actually a competent NFL quarterback. Though they only beat the 1-5 Baltimore Ravens (still can’t get my head around Baltimore being this bad), the Niners have the ability to play spoiler in the NFC hierarchy this fall.
While I still see them as the worst team in the NFC West, I feel that there’s a chance they could go 6-10, 7-9 and potentially knock off a teams vying for a second Wild Card spot. The team is starting to play better under HC Jim Tomsula. San Francisco may plummet after a Thursday Night loss to arch rival Seattle, but a win could keep them relevant in the NFC at 3-4.
. Previous: . St. Louis Rams. 9. team. 51.
The Rams defense is a Top 10 unit in football. It seems that the Rams can run the football. The problem is they have the worst wideouts in football. I think KC has better receivers the St. Louis now that Jeremy Maclin plays for the Chiefs. If the Rams do have the worst receiving corps in football, then placing the blame on QB Nick Foles isn’t fair.
It would have to fall on HC Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead. Foles has too much arm talent to become a game manager at quarterback, but this offense is what will hold the Rams back from the postseason in 2015. That is, unless RB Todd Gurley puts up Devonta Freeman numbers after their Week 6 Bye.
Next: Tier II: NFC Playoff Contenders