Saturday, December 26, 2020

Atlanta Falcons Week 16 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: 22.4 (21st)
  • Best ranking: 17th (The Athletic)
  • Worst ranking: 27th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Falcons in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 17

Wish: A fresh start. They've played hard for Raheem Morris and have looked good at times, like in the first half against Tampa Bay when Matt Ryan was spraying the ball all over the field, Calvin Ridley was coming down with catch after catch and the defense was getting to Tom Brady. But then the second half happened, reminding everyone who the Falcons actually are. They'll likely look to find a new head coach and GM who can produce a quick turnaround while Ryan still has something left.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 27

Does this team know how to blow leads or what? It's the same story seemingly every week - no matter who is the coach. They need a fresh start.

USA Today -- Rank: 18

With his 343rd career TD pass, QB Matt Ryan has (quietly?) cracked NFL's top-ten all-time list ... and is 24 away from overtaking Eli Manning for ninth place.

ESPN -- Rank: 27

Most underrated star: WR Russell Gage

With Julio Jones battling injuries throughout the season, Gage has become a key contributor to the offense, setting career highs in receptions (59), targets (94), yards (672) and touchdowns (three) with two games to go. At age 24 and with changes coming to the Falcons, he has become not only an underrated part of the Falcons' present but also a potential dynamic part of their future. -- Michael Rothstein

NFL.com -- Rank: 23

You know, Falcons, it brings us no joy to consistently reference the tragic events of Super Bowl LI ... but you have to work with us. If you want people to truly move on from that game, you need to stop doing things to remind them what happened that night in Houston. Let's use Sunday as an example: When you build a 17-0 halftime lead against the Bucs -- a Bucs team led by quarterback Tom Brady -- you're going to want to make sure the team led by Brady doesn't stage the second-largest rally in franchise history. Your defense can't allow four touchdown drives and a field goal in the final two quarters, and your offense cannot go into hibernation mode for the final 20 minutes of game time. The football gods help those who help themselves.

+ Previous update: Atlanta Falcons Week 15 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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