Atlanta Falcons: Final 2015 NFC Power Rankings

The Detroit Lions were a team of two halves: going 1-7 in the first eight games and finishing 6-2 in the second half as the best sub-.500 team in the NFL. Detroit was supposedly going to contend for a playoff spot again in 2015, but the horrendous start threw that to the wayside in October.

Detroit needs to focus on the offensive line now that new offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter seems to have things figured out in Motown. Expect the Lions to contend for a playoff spot in 2016. The Detroit Lions have the 16th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Atlanta was an incredibly streaky team under first-year head coach Dan Quinn. The Atlanta Falcons won their first five games, then proceeded to drop seven of their next eight, finishing at .500 with an 8-8 record.

The pass rush, linebacker corps, interior offensive line and wideouts all need work. It presents a difficult draft for the Atlanta Falcons as the Dirty Birds only have five picks in the upcoming draft. Expect some trades or big moves in free agency. The Atlanta Falcons have the 17th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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?

After a so-so start to the 2015 NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks fought admirably to get back into the NFC Playoffs as the sixth-seed in 2015, with an outside shot at keeping their NFC crown for the third straight season.

An improved Russell Wilson and receiving corps offsets suspect offensive line play and good, but not great play from the once-vaunted secondary. Seattle could win the Super Bowl or lose in the first round. The Seahawks will travel to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Car Round this weekend.

The Green Bay Packers are not going to win a Super Bowl. Since the Jordy Nelson injury, the passing game for the Packers has been suspect at best with questionable offensive line play. While the Packers have 10 wins, it isn’t a strong 10 wins as they may not get out of the first round in the NFC Playoffs.

Not having Lambeau Field working on their side this postseason doesn’t help in the slightest. While the Packers do have Aaron Rodgers, this may not stand as Green Bay’s year for their fifth Super Bowl. Green Bay will travel to Landover, Maryland to the play the NFC East winner Washington Redskins in the Wild Card round this weekend.

Next: Tier I: NFC Division Champions