With the release of the newest ESPN NFL rankings, now is a good time to dig a little deeper than the surface. We know the Atlanta Falcons are ranked 8th in the NFL and 5th in the NFC. The usual suspects are ahead of them: Super Bowl participants Colts and Saints, Conference championship runner-ups Vikings and Jets and playoff teams Cowboys, Ravens and Packers.

What do these rankings mean? How accurate are they are? Does a team finish close to where they begin? I dusted off my TI-85 and got to work. Hit the jump to see where the ESPN rankings could have the Falcons in January.

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Atlanta Falcons Power Ranking Chart - 2008 (source: ESPN)

ESPN released their official 2010 NFL Power Rankings: Offseason edition and the Falcons find themselves in familiar territory. They finished last season ranked 15th in the poll but open this season in 10th place, only two spots lower than they began the 2009 campaign. They are the fifth in the NFC and second in the NFC South behind the New Orleans Saints who are ranked number one.

Hit the jump for more Falcons goodness.

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