NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Chiefs gripping No. 1 tightly and the Jets won a game

Hug the Atlanta Falcons fans in your life — or at least tell them you owe them one since we’re in the middle of a pandemic. Because for how impressive this team can often look at any point, their late-game woes and their overall lackluster results continue to be wholly troubling.

Early in the Week 15 matchup with the Buccaneers in Atlanta, the Dirty Birds were in complete control. They went into halftime up 17-0 and they seemed to have all the answers for Tom Brady and Tampa Bay. Then the second half rolled around and, especially in the fourth quarter, the wheels fell off.

Hanging on to a 24-14 lead, the Falcons’ final five drives included three three-and-outs, a field goal and a turnover on downs that ultimately ended the game. Meanwhile, the defense allowed three scoring drives and the Bucs to run out the clock on their last five drives. That’s got to be tough to swallow for fans.

The attention in Atlanta has now turned to the offseason as they now have a decision to make about the future of Matt Ryan and potentially other high-profile assets. What’s clear is that something has to change and it might be more than just bringing in a new head coach.