NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Patriots keep rising, Eagles near rock-bottom

For the second time in three weeks, the Atlanta Falcons had to play the New Orleans Saints. And they were also able to face them both times without Drew Brees. Usually, you would think a team getting two shots at a divisional rival without their starting quarterback would be able to get at least one win, right? Well, that wasn’t the case for the Falcons.

First, in Week 11, they were the team facing Taysom Hill in his NFL debut as a starting quarterback. Hill threw for 233 yards in that one and ran two touchdowns as the Saints knocked them off 24-9. But they had to feel more confident in this one following their performance in Week 12.

Atlanta took it to the Las Vegas Raiders there, beating them easily 43-6. But that wasn’t the case as Hill again looked the part against the Falcons (despite an ugly game in-between) throwing for 232 yards with two touchdowns and no picks against the Dirty Birds.

A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Russell Gage made it look respectable as they pulled within five points but the Saints were never really in danger of losing this one. The Falcons are now 4-8 and need to really start looking ahead to this offseason.