Friday, December 4, 2020

Atlanta Falcons Week 13 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Atlanta Falcons rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 18.4 (19th)
  • Best ranking: 16th (The Athletic)
  • Worst ranking: 21st (ESPN)

Below you will find a Week 13 roundup for the Falcons in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 16

Below expectations: They came into the year hoping to be a surprise playoff team, but instead the Falcons fired Dan Quinn after a brutally painful five-game stretch. EPR loves the Falcons, likely because four of their losses have been by one score, and they produced a couple of blowout wins against solid opponents. Most teams are lying to themselves when they say they were one or two plays away from having a different season, but that really does apply to Atlanta.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 20

They are playing so much better under Raheem Morris. They aren't out of it as they ready to face division-rival New Orleans for the second time in three weeks.

USA Today -- Rank: 17

Stands to reason their most impressive performance of 2020 would come with WR Julio Jones and RB Todd Gurley inactive with injuries.

ESPN -- Rank: 21

Most important game remaining: Week 13 vs. New Orleans

In short, the next game on the docket. The Falcons have been a far tougher out under Raheem Morris, given they are 4-2 since Morris was named interim head coach. They are coming off their best effort of the season in Sunday's rout over the Raiders and can see where they really stand against the division leader. They can also study what the Broncos did against Saints QB Taysom Hill, who finished with 78 yards passing Sunday. If the Falcons can give Hill similar problems, it would not only give them back-to-back wins over teams with winning records, but would be the kind of win that helps Morris' candidacy for the permanent job. -- Jeff Legwold

NFL.com -- Rank: 18

Raheem Morris might be interim coaching his way into legitimate consideration for a full-time gig in Atlanta. The Falcons blew out the Raiders on Sunday and improved to 4-2 since they fired Dan Quinn and promoted Morris in October. Atlanta set season highs with five sacks and five turnovers, including a pick-six by Deion Jones, and piled up 43 points on just 304 yards of total offense. The Falcons played without Julio Jones and Todd Gurley, who both missed the game with injuries. If the offense can get healthy and the defense continues to play at this level, the Falcons will be the non-playoff team no one wants to play down the stretch.

+ Previous update: Atlanta Falcons Week 12 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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