2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Vikings make history in comeback win
By Randy Gurzi
. Previous: 19th. Atlanta Falcons. 26. team. 44.
26. Atlanta Falcons
Desmond Ridder got his first start of the season as the Atlanta Falcons decided to put him in over Marcus Mariota. The result wasn’t much different as they still lost, falling to 5-9 thanks to a 21-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Ridder was just 13-of-26 for 97 yards and had 38 yards rushing. 70 of those 97 yards went to Drake London, who caught seven passes. Outside of London, the Falcons also had a good outing from Tyler Allgeier who had 139 yards and a touchdown.
Despite those two rookies stepping up, the defense struggled to make stops Atlanta fell to 1-6 away from home. They’re technically still in the NFC South race but they’re not a threat to do much of anything at this point.
. . Previous: 29th. New Orleans Saints. 25. team. 15
25. New Orleans Saints
For a minute, the New Orleans Saints looked as though they were going to threaten Tampa Bay in the NFC South but a two-game losing streak — their fourth such streak this season — halted those plans. One of their latest losses was to Tampa Bay, meaning they weren’t going to catch them, especially since that was their second loss to the Bucs.
This Sunday though, they stopped the bleeding and made it a clean sweep against the Falcons, beating them 21-18. They’re now 5-9 and tied with the Dirty Birds and Panthers for second place in the South.
It’s true they’re still technically alive but the focus now has to be on the offseason and what changes they need to make.