2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Cowboys crack top 5, Packers keep struggling
By Randy Gurzi
. . Previous: 16th. New England Patriots. 16. team. 47
16. New England Patriots
It’s really hard to figure out the New England Patriots this season. Just when it seems like it’s time to move on from them, they get a win. Then if you believe in them, they suffer a loss. The latest roller coaster came when they beat the Lions 29-0 and the Browns 38-15 only to get beat 33-14 by the Chicago Bears.
So at 3-4, it seemed as though they would be left behind in the AFC East. But that’s not the case as they knocked off the New York Jets 22-17 in Week 8. They not only slowed the ground game down again, but they also forced Zach Wilson to throw three picks.
On offense, Mac Jones was back under center and was sacked six times while throwing just 194 yards but the defense did enough for them to improve to 4-4.
team. 44. . . Previous: 15th. Atlanta Falcons. 15
15. Atlanta Falcons
Just as we all thought when the season began, the Atlanta Falcons are alone in first place in the NFC South. Their win over the Carolina Panthers improved them to 4-4 on the year, and they’re now the only team in the South that doesn’t have a losing record. But they almost threw their last game away, twice.
In the fourth, they allowed D.J. Moore to get deep on them and he hauled in a 62-yard pass that tied it up at 34. Eddy Pineiro then missed the extra point, so we had overtime.
Marcus Mariota then threw a pick in the extra period but Pineiro missed a 32-yard kick that would have ended things. Atlanta took advantage as they went 55 yards on eight plays to set up a 41-yard winner for Younghoe Koo. At this point, it seems sustainable but they still don’t feel like a big threat if they do make the playoffs.