Thursday, September 21, 2023

Atlanta Falcons Week 3 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 3 roundup for the Atlanta Falcons in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 11

Player: CB A.J. Terrell
Current contract situation: Under contract through the 2024 season

The fourth-year cornerback still has his fifth-year option to play on in 2024, but how Atlanta handles his contract will be worth watching. At this point there's little reason to believe Terrell would not get extended -- he's a team leader, one of the best young corners in the league and a franchise staple -- it's just a matter of when. That "when" could be close to the new league year as there's precedent from Atlanta here. That's when Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom received his deal in March. -- Michael Rothstein

NFL.com -- Rank: 14

That's two home victories against teams breaking in new quarterbacks in two weeks. But Atlanta has a newish QB, as well, and the Falcons have now won four straight games started by Desmond Ridder. He threw his first career interception and frankly should have had two more (one a potential pick-six, the other in Green Bay's end zone). But Ridder found answers on Sunday, both as a runner (posting 39 rushing yards and a crucial fourth-down TD run) and thrower. There was some trust on two big passes in the fourth: the 45-yard flea flicker to Mack Hollins and the 24-yard dart to Drake London that set up the go-ahead field goal. There's room to grow, but Ridder made his biggest plays when his team needed them most.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 12

At 2-0, they are off to a good start. That was a nice comeback victory for Desmond Ridder and the offense against Green Bay.

USA Today -- Rank: 11

Undefeated Atlanta is running more than 56% of the time ... and why not with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, arguably the league's top RB tandem?

The Athletic -- Rank: 7

After the Falcons gained 446 yards Sunday, their second-highest total under coach Arthur Smith, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said, "They shredded us consistently," which is a weird thing to hear about the Falcons. Atlanta is 11th in the league in offensive EPA per play (.03) and 2-0 for the first time since 2017.

FOX -- Rank: 9

I'm definitely not sure the Falcons belong up here, but tell me, who below them is more deserving? It's not just that they're 2-0, but they showed us Sunday just how devastating their ground game can be. If that's clicking, this offense will be a pain for everyone they play.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 16

Maybe it's unfair to keep wondering about the Falcons' skill-position players not having enough production when they're 2-0, but what's going on with Kyle Pitts? He has four catches for 59 yards through two games. Pitts is one of two tight ends ever to get 1,000 yards as a rookie, he was perhaps the best draft prospect ever at the position, and by his third year he's just a below-average option? It's hard to figure out.

PFT -- Rank: 16

After a pair of 7-10 seasons, a 2-0 start really isn't a shock.

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