Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 9
By John Buhler
Nov 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Howard Jones (95) tackles Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) causing a fumble during over time at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 23-20 in over time. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons fell in overtime in Week 8 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20. Atlanta sits at 6-2 and a game and a half back of the 7-0 Carolina Panthers in the NFC South.
Like I mentioned last week, something had to give in the NFL to allow us to better understand where to draw the line between good teams and the bad. Four undefeated teams remain (Carolina, Cincinnati, Denver, and New England). Normally competitive teams are in dire straits (Baltimore, Detroit, San Diego, San Francisco).
-= Related: Atlanta Falcons Fumble, Lose to Bucs 23-20 in OT =-
The Atlanta Falcons are very much in the mix in the NFC, but have to play better in the coming weeks. Atlanta has won six games thus far, but all have come out of the division. The Falcons are the only winless team in the NFC South at 0-2. Does this mean Atlanta goes 10-6 (0-6) and still makes the playoffs as a Wild Card? Potentially. Wouldn’t that be something?
While the rest of the league is getting sorted out, I’d like to believe the 2015 Atlanta Falcons are still a good team, despite not playing their best football of the year. Hopefully that comes after the Week 10 bye.
For now the Atlanta Falcons will travel to Santa Clara to face the sad and struggling San Francisco 49ers, who have decided to bench QB Colin Kaepernick in favor of former Jacksonville Jaguars’ bust Blaine Gabbert. Though Atlanta should win against their former NFC West rival, Atlanta could very easily limp into their bye.
Why am I slightly terrified of losing in Levi’s Stadium to Blaine Gabbert, Jim Tomsula and the rest of the rag-tag San Francisco 49ers? I believe it’s because I couldn’t prove that the Atlanta Falcons were comfortably a good team any more. They’d be just okay. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, as the Minnesota Vikings, a potential playoff team, did lose to the Niners in Week 1 on Part 2 of Monday Night Football.
Without further ado, here is this week’s NFC Power Rankings. Enjoy.
Next: Tier IV: Picking in the Top Ten