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The Atlanta Falcons snuck by the Green Bay Packers and added a much needed win to their win column Sunday afternoon. I frankly don't want to imagine a scenario where they didn't win that game. Looking ahead things don't get any easier, but if the offense stays hot and the defense plays at replacement level, good things will happen. For now the Falcons are still getting a lot of love in the power rankings. Let's break them down.
NFL.com: 5th
Important win for the Falcons, who, at 5-3, have a relatively secure hold on the NFC South after knocking off the Pack in thrilling fashion. What a game. And what an end-game performance byMatt Ryan, who completed nine balls on the final drive to Mohamed Sanu, Justin Hardy, Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper -- everyone but Julio Jones. But before we start talking Super Bowl, bear in mind that was a heckuva depleted Green Bay team that came this close to besting Atlanta in Atlanta.
ESPN: 9th
ESPN's efficiency rankings have the Falcons at No. 2 offensively, trailing only the Patriots. That top offense has moved the Falcons from No. 22 to No. 9 in this week's rankings, but their 26th-ranked defense could get in the way of future movement in this poll if they're not careful.
SB Nation: 5th
Yahoo Sports: 6th
I'm not really sure what more Matt Ryan has to do to be viewed as the MVP frontrunner.Unless you want to give it to Tom Brady after four games (which isn't unfair).
Washington Post: 6th
QB Matt Ryan was terrific in Sunday's pulsating victory over the Packers. He got things done even without WR Julio Jones being his main target. That's a good sign that the Falcons have a measure of versatility on offense. Maybe, just maybe, they actually have some staying power this season.
Bleacher Report: 5th
People are waiting for the Atlanta Falcons to collapse like last season. They'll continue to wait. The 2015 team would've crumbled under the pressure of a 32-26 deficit. This year's squad welcomes it. It's high time we give Matt Ryan some MVP consideration. Green Bay took away his favorite receiver in Week 8, and it didn't matter. With Julio Jones in double coverage, Ryan posted a three-touchdown game and completed 80 percent of this throws.
Your thoughts?