2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Chiefs explode, Broncos remember a hero

24. Atlanta Falcons

Watching the Atlanta Falcons this season, it’s hard to understand how they’re 6-7. They have issues all over the field including poor offensive line play, a lack of talent at wide receiver, and the fact that Cordarrelle Patterson is the focal point of their offense.

No offense meant toward Patterson who has always been a solid contributor but there’s a reason he never became the featured part of an offense. However, the Falcons are desperate so they have the veteran wide receiver playing running back for them and he’s been doing his best to make this team interesting.

In Week 14, they were locked in a battle with the Carolina Panthers and Patterson did his part once again. He had 58 yards rushing and a touchdown as Matt Ryan finished with 190 yards and a score on 19-of-28 passing.

Defensively, they surrendered 21 points which isn’t bad, and also had a couple of picks — one off Cam Newton, the other off P.J. Walker.

Atlanta could still finish with a respectable record with the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints still on the schedule but getting a winning record will be difficult unless they can also steal a win against either the San Francisco 49ers or Buffalo Bills down the stretch.