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NFL Power Rankings: Falcons Strength Varies After Bye

brandon scott
Nov 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) runs after the catch as Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) defends in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) runs after the catch as Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) defends in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Exiting the bye week, the Atlanta Falcons remain in first place among the NFC South. However, with a victory over Kansas City the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now only one game back of Atlanta.

A healthier Falcons team emerges for Week 12 and is prepared for the final stretch of the regular season. With no game last week, the results among various power rankings were varied for the Atlanta Falcons. Over the next three weeks, these standings should become more consistent as the best teams rise to the occasion.

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NFL.com – 11, Last Week – 11 (0)

The first-place Falcons were on a bye, though two of their competitors in the NFC South infringed on their lead. At 6-4, Atlanta is a mere one game in front of the Bucs, with the two teams having split their head-to-head meetings. The Falcons will face Carolina and New Orleans in the last two weeks of the regular season, but the next three won’t be easy: home vs. Arizona and Kansas City, then at Los Angeles. The last one there is a loooooong road trip. Jared Goff should be better by then, too.

ESPN – 8, Last Week – 7 (-1)

The Falcons are the only team averaging more than 30 points per game this season, but that offense is about to be put to the test. Atlanta’s next three games are against the Cardinals, Chiefs and Rams, who all rank top 10 in fewest points allowed this season.

CBS – 7, Last Week – 8 (+1)

After their bye, they have to show they won’t collapse again this season. I don’t think they will.

BLEACHER REPORT – 9, Last Week – 8 (-1)

They’ll need to re-establish themselves as division kings when Week 12 rolls around, because the three teams behind Atlanta in the standings are no more than two games out.

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