Atlanta Falcons: NFC Power Rankings, Week 13

Though Tampa Bay lost to Indianapolis in Week 12, they seem to have more things going their way than against them in 2015. Even with a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston, the Buccaneers offense has not been the problem. It has been the antiquated defense of HC Lovie Smith and DC Leslie Frazier.

Tampa Bay has a terrific opportunity to beat up on the reeling Atlanta Falcons at home in Week 13 to move to .500 and battle for an NFC Wild Card spot. Having a 2-0 lead over Atlanta should it come to a tiebreaker sounds very promising for this promising young Bucs team.

I did not see the Chicago Bears beating the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field. Then again, the Packers aren’t exactly playing great football, losers of four of their last five games. Chicago is very much in the NFC Wild Card mix, but won’t likely catch Minnesota for the NFC North crown.

For a team that finished 5-11 in 2014, it has been simply remarkable for this team to emerge as a top half team in the NFC after an awful first four weeks of the season. Bears fans have to feel immensely proud of how their team and coaching staff are performing this season. The Bears are closer to being good than we initially realized.

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

Seattle is in incredibly rough shape physically, but have somehow clawed their way back to a playoff spot with a costly win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. The Seahawks lost TE Jimmy Graham to an awful knee injury and RB Marshawn Lynch opted to have surgery on his sports hernia. If both are out for the year, that does not bode well for the ‘Hawks down the stretch.

Fortunately, Seattle has been in the playoff push before and nearly always seems to find a way to win the close games. Don’t expect any more Seahawks victories to look glamorous, but they could emerge as the most mentally tough Wild Card contender and that could push them over the edge for the 6th seed in 2015.

Green Bay, like the Atlanta Falcons, are reeling away from their playoff destiny. 7 wins looks strong at first glance, only then do you realize that Green Bay has lost four of their last five football games, including two in the NFC North.

The Packers should survive and make the playoffs because they’re the Green Bay Packers, but any iota of a chance that this team was going to win Super Bowl 50 is now gone after their Thanksgiving Night loss to the Chicago Bears at home. Green Bay is a 5-Seed, but not a tremendously strong one at that.

Next: Tier I: Projected NFC Division Winners