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The Atlanta Falcons got the NFL’s attention on Sunday. They may have the league’s toughest remaining schedule, but they’re still a talented football team, and they shouldn’t be ignored. At 5-4, the Falcons don’t have a margin for error, however, they essentially control their own destiny. It should be an interesting couple of months. Meanwhile, today is Tuesday, so let’s break down the power rankings.
No team has a more difficult remaining schedule than the Falcons. They still have a trip to Seattle, two games against the Saints and home games against the Vikings and Panthers. If there's any reason for hope, it's that they have four home games left, and two games against the 3-6 Buccaneers.
Sports Illustrated: 10th (up three spots)
Bleacher Report: 12th (up four spots)
Against Dallas, the Falcons were the team we've been waiting all season long to see. There were big plays in the pass game, Atlanta was ripping off key runs, and the defense finally got back to doing what it does best. That's flying around the field and using its speed to disrupt the passing game.
Washington Post: 12th (up seven spots)
When is it really a must-win game? When your team’s owner is in the midst of a very public feud with the opposing team’s owner. Arthur Blank didn’t greet Jerry Jones on the field before the game Sunday in Atlanta, and Blank’s team gave him an undoubtedly satisfying triumph by beating Jones’s Cowboys.
Yahoo Sports: 10th (up one spot)
Tevin Coleman has been a big part of this Falcons team for a while, but he has only three starts in his career. With Devonta Freeman expected to miss some time with a concussion, it’s a huge spot for Coleman to show his 4.6-yard career average can carry over to a bigger role.
I’m in agreement with most of these. If the Falcons win on Monday, then they are undeniably a top ten team. If you have high blood pressure, you might want to sit these next few weeks out.
Discuss!