Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 12

The New York Football Giants did not play in Week 11, as they were one of the last four teams in football to have their annual bye. New York entered their bye in first place in the NFC East and remain there entering Week 12. A week’s worth of rest and still having the divisional lead by a game is a great thing.

New York has their flaws, most notably a mediocre secondary, but this is the best team in the weak NFC East. Even if the Giants somehow don’t win the division, they are only a game back of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Wild Card race. They could perhaps make the playoffs as a Wild Card team should they not win their division. Washington, Philadelphia, and Dallas cannot say that.

Green Bay ended their three-game skid by asserting their dominance over division rival Minnesota in Week 11. An angry Aaron Rodgers is zero fun to go up against and he out-dueled Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday. The Packers aren’t by any means perfect, but if they beat the Vikings again, then they could win the NFC North yet again.

What separates Green Bay and Minnesota besides a head-to-head matchup in the Packers favor is that Green Bay has gone on deep playoff runs with their current core group of players. Green Bay thrives in the cold, where Minnesota is a dome team playing outside. It won’t come easily, but Green Bay could again play in the NFC Championship.

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?

The Arizona Cardinals are the most complete football team in the NFL. Their 34-31 victory over the AFC North leading Cincinnati Bengals gives the Cardinals credibility to possibly win a Super Bowl. QB Carson Palmer is one of three legitimate MVP candidates in the NFL, with the other two being Cam Newton and Tom Brady.

If Palmer continues to thrive in Bruce Arians’ offense, then Arizona can no doubt play for or win a Super Bowl. It helps to also have a great secondary and be an outstanding home team. Those two areas matter in deep playoff runs. I cannot see Arizona doing worse than losing in the NFC Championship game on the road in 2015. They are a Top 4 team in football.

The Carolina Panthers are 10-0 and are only a few weeks away from clinching the NFC South and probably a first round bye. Carolina is my pick to earn home field advantage in the NFC, as the road to the Super Bowl will run through Charlotte.

The Panthers aren’t the most glamorous team in the NFL, but are absolutely one of the best entering Week 12. Surely, Carolina will drop a game at some point, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’m afraid that a rare loss for them will come in devastating fashion during an inopportune time. For their sake, they’d have to hope it comes during the regular season and not during the playoffs.