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2017 NFL power rankings: Patriots lead the way

By Russell S. Baxter

Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general overall view of NRG Stadium with graphics featuring New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) prior to Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; A general overall view of NRG Stadium with graphics featuring New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) prior to Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass during the second quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass during the second quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports /
2

Atlanta Falcons 11-5

Last week: 1st, NFC South
Last rank: 2nd

Looking Back: The Atlanta Falcons reached the Super Bowl for only the second time in franchise history. The team owned a 28-3 lead in the game and couldn’t close the deal. The club has a lot to be proud of following a 2015 season in which they opened 5-0 and finished 8-8. But this will be the one that got away.

Looking Forward: The Atlanta offense was prolific this season, scoring a league-high 540 points (tied for the eighth most in NFL history). Quarterback Matt Ryan was the NFL’s MVP. And youth was served when it came to the Atlanta defense in April’s draft and rookies Keanu Neal, Deion Jones and De’Vandre Campbell all made their presence felt more and more as the season unfolded. Head coach Dan Quinn has stressed speed when it comes to that side of ball and it was evident down the stretch and throughout the postseason. There is a lot to be optimistic about despite the heartbreaking loss to the Patriots in Houston.

Offseason needs: This is basically a young roster with very few contractual issues in front of it. The team has its share of veterans on both sides of the ball but the majority of those performers are there for depth. General manager Thomas Dimitroff did quite the job during the 2016 offseason with the draft and free agency and there’s no reason to think the team can’t build off this year. The defense is still in need of some work and eventually it wore down after a tremendous start on Super Sunday. The Falcons need to put the Super Bowl loss behind them as soon as possible. And that won’t be easy.

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