Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Atlanta Falcons Week 11 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 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: 24.8 (24th)
  • Best ranking: 23 (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 27 (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 11 roundup for the Falcons in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

Most important remaining game: Thursday vs. Patriots

After a 43-3 pasting by Dallas -- Atlanta's worst loss since 2004 -- the Falcons need to find something positive. Add in that the team hasn't won at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this year and that they are playing the Patriots in Atlanta for the first time since the Falcons lost to New England in Super Bowl LI (dropping a 28-3 lead in the process) and there's a bunch of storylines that can be exorcised with a win on Thursday. Plus, at 4-5 in a crowded middle of the NFC, a victory could do wonders for the team's potential playoff hopes. -- Michael Rothstein

NFL.com -- Rank: 27

"We were outcoached and outplayed." There's not much else Arthur Smith could say after an embarrassing 43-3 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday at Jerrah World. One week after a gritty win over the Saints that gave credence to the thought that Atlanta could be a playoff team, the Falcons looked completely out of their depth against a conference superpower Dallas team that was in a foul mood after its own blowout loss a week earlier. Matt Ryan threw for a measly 117 yards, Cordarrelle Patterson exited with an ankle injury, and the Cowboys scored four consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 36-3 lead into the tunnel at halftime. It was as demoralizing as a loss gets, but the page turns fast in the NFL. Up next: The surging Patriots on Thursday night.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 23

So much for the idea that this was a surging team. They were dominated by the Cowboys in every way possible. Now here come the Patriots.

USA Today -- Rank: 25

Their social media department is on fire, poking fun at Sunday's 28-3 first-half deficit, and their uniforms will be straight fire Thursday night when they go with the 1990s-era throwbacks. Otherwise, Dirty Birds and their battered roster seem on verge of a steady descent.

The Athletic -- Rank: 25

Steal a player: DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals wide receiver

Without Calvin Ridley, Atlanta doesn't have a wide receiver who can consistently get open against man coverage, and the Falcons are averaging more than a yard better per play against zone than man (5.87 to 4.69). It's making life difficult for coach Arthur Smith because his team can't run the ball, either (30th in the NFL in yards per attempt at 3.5). One player won't fix the run game issues, but it might do wonders for the passing game, which is how Atlanta must move the ball going forward. Smith would be delighted to pluck Hopkins away from the Cardinals to help him open up the middle of the field for tight end Kyle Pitts and Mr. Everything Cordarrelle Patterson.

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