Prisco - Falcons for Real/Power Rankings
Power Rankings: For the record, Falcons are for real
By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
Updated Nov. 11
For weeks we’ve been waiting for the right time to say it, hesitant because it just didn’t seem right to say the Atlanta Falcons were a real playoff threat. Is it because we expected them to take the young-team fall we anticipated from a group that came into the season in rebuilding mode?
That hasn’t happened, so it’s time to let it rip:
The Falcons are a real playoff threat.
There’s no denying it any more. The way they handled the New Orleans Saints on Sunday is the all the proof we need.
The Atlanta defense was the last remaining question for this team, but shutting down Drew Brees the way it did says that unit has improved enough to call it a playoff defense.
The story of the Falcons is the best of this season in a league full of great ones. It’s so shocking that many inside the building are even surprised, even if they won’t admit it.
This was to be a rebuilding season with an eye on 2010 as the playoff year. It was a three-year plan to turn the Falcons around. First-year coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff won’t admit it now, but they had to be realistic and a three-year plan to turn the Falcons around made sense.
Now that timetable is off. This team is good.
They can run it. They can throw it with Matt Ryan and the defense is growing up under a rising coaching star, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.
If the Falcons make the playoffs and Smith isn’t the coach of the year, then the award should be eliminated.
The Falcons started out in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings at No. 31, which means one away from last. Now they’re in the top 10. That’s hard to believe.
After the Michael Vick fiasco, the Bobby Petrino mess and the feeling of disconnect from Atlanta fans, the Falcons are a great story. The best thing for their chances to win the division is that Tampa Bay and Carolina — the two teams ahead of them in the NFC South — both have to come to Atlanta.
Poll
Who will win the NFC South?
Saints
Falcons
Panthers
Buccaneers
The amazing thing about the Atlanta start is that most thought the two lines would be problem areas. The coaching staff said they were the worry spots before the season. They’ve been the opposite of that.
The offensive line plays with a nasty streak, making up for some athletic limitations, and the defensive line has overachieved, especially inside. Defensive end John Abraham is having a huge season rushing the passer, but the rest of the defense isn’t exactly star-studded.
Atlanta also starts four rookies if you count the nickel back (Chevis Jackson), the third receiver (Henry Douglas) and injured left tackle Sam Baker, who is expected back in a few weeks. The best of the first-year players is Ryan. Without him, this wouldn’t be happening. He’s the best rookie quarterback since Peyton Manning.
He sees the field. He plays with a swagger. He works his butt off doing the little things. He’s cut from the Manning-Tom Brady cloth.
The Falcons did the right thing starting him on opening day, thinking that this would be a building year for the future. But Ryan’s play has accelerated the timetable.
So go ahead and say it: The Falcons are for real.
The Power Rankings through Week 10:
Power Rankings
Current Team Previous
1 Titans · Trends 1
If Kerry Collins plays like he did against the Bears, they will be a Super Bowl team. It’s that simple. The passing game is the one area of this team that worried some.
2 Giants · Trends 2
They run it better than anybody, which controls the football. And when they get a lead they have a pass rush that can get after it. They’re the best team, even if they are in the second spot here.
3 Panthers · Trends 3
Can I really put a team that had a quarterback throw for 72 yards and get picked four times in the third spot? At 7-2, you have to do it.
4 Buccaneers · Trends 6
Jon Gruden has to be thrilled with his 6-3 start and the way Jeff Garcia has played. We know the defense will be good.
5 Redskins · Trends 7
They come off the bye with a huge game against the Cowboys at home. They need to win it to try to keep pace with the Giants in the division — or they will be taking the wild-card route.
6 Patriots · Trends 10
As Matt Cassel grows, they will only get better. They have two huge games in the next two weeks against the Jets at home and at Miami. Win them, and they will win the division.
7 Jets · Trends 8
They’ve done what they’ve been asked to do, which is beat up on a weak schedule. We’ll know if they’re any good Thursday after they play the Patriots.
8 Cardinals · Trends 9
They’re going to the playoffs. Barring a late-season collapse of epic proportions, even by Cardinals standards, they will win the division. That means we’ll get the treat of watching that offense more in the postseason.
9 Cowboys · Trends 11
The most important question in Dallas since Who shot JR is this: How’s the pinkie? That’s Tony Romo’s pinkie.
10 Falcons · Trends 12
Matt Ryan isn’t playing like a rookie, that’s for sure. But the most impressive thing is how well the defense is playing. Brian VanGorder is doing a nice job with that unit.
Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs