The last time the Falcons were hovering down in the mid-20s, which is where most outlets are putting them at the moment, the year was 2014 and the Falcons were on the cusp of firing Mike Smith. Atlanta’s three game slide has left them looking like one of the most porous teams in the NFL, and it’s little surprise they’re crashing down the ranks, as we said they might a week ago.
Power rankings can be like Pro Bowl votes for the first few weeks of the season: Based on past performance as much as current performance, and giving analyst favorites the benefit of the doubt.