Falcons flying up NFL power rankings heading into Week 5
The Atlanta Falcons remain undefeated. After a complete whooping placed on the Houston Texans, in which they scored 42 unanswered points before resting starters, the Falcons continue to “rise up” the power rankings across the web.
Atlanta is 4-0 and looking at what appears to be a very easy schedule the rest of the way. Let the climb continue. Here are the Week 4 rankings:
FanSided – 6
Last week: 8
Differential: +2
"Wow, what more can you really say about the Falcons. This team is now 4-0 on the season and they got that fourth win of the season on Sunday in pretty dominant fashion. OK, as far as the NFL goes, their 48-21 win over the Texans was pretty much a massacre. These guys under Dan Quinn are clicking on all cylinders, especially on offense. They can kill you in the air with Matt Ryan or on the ground with the likes of Devonta Freeman, like we saw on Sunday. Don’t look now, but the “Dirty Birds” might be making their way right back to the top of the NFC."
NFL.com – 5
Last week: 7
Differential: +2
"What in the world has gotten into these Falcons? Dan Quinn certainly has exceeded everyone’s expectations, especially on defense. The undefeated Falcons now have a turnover differential of plus-six (including four takeaways on Sunday), second only to Carolina in the NFL."
ESPN – 6
Last week: 6
Differential: —
"Devonta Freeman has seven rushing touchdowns in his past three games. A Falcons running back hadn’t scored more than six rushing touchdowns in a season since 2012."
CBS Sports – 5
Last week: 6
Differential: +1
"Now here’s a team that is dominating. Matt Ryan continues to be the thread that runs through the offense, but Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman are game-breaking talents. The defense is aggressive and physical, but there’s still room for improvement."
Bleacher Report – 5
Last week: 10
Differential: +5
"Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has been simply unfair over the past two weeks. He scored three more times during a throttling of the Houston Texans Sunday, and he has now piled up 342 yards from scrimmage with six touchdowns since Week 3."
Last week: 7
Differential: +2
"After not playing on defense at all his rookie year, Ricardo Allen leads all second year safeties in yards per coverage snap at 0.24. He’s allowed just five catches for 28 yards on 115 coverage snaps, and has one interception."
Week 2 Average Ranking – 5.3
Last week: 7
This week the Falcons will defend their undefeated record against the Washington Redskins at home in the GA Dome. Washington is leading the league in rushing defense so it will be interesting to see if Devonta Freeman can continue to produce. Look for the Falcons offense to simply be too much for Kirk Cousins and company to keep up with. Falcons move to 5-0.