Saturday, October 16, 2021

Atlanta Falcons Week 6 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: 25.4 (26th)
  • Best ranking: 25th (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 26th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 6 roundup for the Falcons in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 26

Most improved player: RB Cordarrelle Patterson

How they've improved: Patterson is the answer for almost everything Falcons at this point, isn't he? But in this case, it's wildly accurate. Patterson might be the most improved player in the NFL -- period. With 25 catches and 295 yards, he's already put up his best season numbers since 2017, and he's already matched his career-high in receiving touchdowns (four). As a runner, his 173 yards are the third-highest season total of his career. And, again, it's Week 5. Falcons coach Arthur Smith has become the playcaller who finally figured out how to use Patterson best in the former first-round pick's ninth season and fifth team. -- Michael Rothstein

NFL.com -- Rank: 25

The Falcons flew high over London thanks to a vintage performance by Matt Ryan. The veteran signal-caller might not be able to sling the ball like he did five years ago, but he showed against the Jets that he can still pick apart a young and inexperienced defense with surgical precision. It helps to have a stud like Kyle Pitts around. With Calvin Ridley out, the No. 4 overall pick finally enjoyed the breakout game many had been waiting for; Pitts went off, hauling in nine catches for 119 yards and his first career touchdown against a New York defense ill-equipped to handle his rare combination of size and speed. Pitts' special skill set deserves a Darren Waller-level target share.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 25

At 2-3, they head to their bye off a nice victory in England over the Jets. Matt Ryan has had a nice start to this season, even if the offense has been undermanned at times.

USA Today -- Rank: 25

If only they could play a New York team every week. But fear not, Atlanta fans, your team gets to go to Buffalo in Week 17.

The Athletic -- Rank: 26

Breakout player: It feels a little weird to be naming a 30-year-old, nine-year veteran as a breakout player, but it's like the category was built for Cordarrelle Patterson, who is shattering the expectations any of us had for him in Atlanta. Patterson, who is now officially listed as a running back instead of a wide receiver, already has 41 rushing attempts (his career high is 64, last year with the Bears). He's averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 11.8 yards per catch. Perhaps his production is an indictment of the Falcons' overall offensive play, but it's still exciting to see a player enjoy this sort of career renaissance.

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