NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Titans ink Clowney, Chiefs remain clear favorites

Midway through last year, there were plenty of fans and analysts calling for Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn to get the ax. The team was completely out of the playoff race and seemed well on their way to a top-five pick. Even with the injuries they endured, things were not looking good.

After the Falcons’ bye week, though, things turned around completely. Atlanta finished the season exceptionally strong, rebounding from a 1-7 start to end the year on a 6-2 run. So now they come into a new campaign with questions about which version of the team we are going to see and if they can make their way back into the postseason picture.

Especially with the shortened offseason, I’m high on the Falcons offense as they largely retained the key pieces with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. New additions Hayden Hurst and Todd Gurley add new wrinkles but could be positive forces to an already potent unit. Moreover, the defense could be marginally better while also, most importantly, being healthy.

The biggest issues for the Falcons might be playing in the NFC South as, even if you like them, they are a notch below the Saints and Buccaneers. Even still, Atlanta should be able to compete for a playoff spot this year.