2018 NFL Power Rankings: Divisional Playoffs edition

6. Atlanta Falcons

11-6 (Wild Card)

No. 6 Seed in NFC

Last week: Defeated Los Angeles Rams, 26-13, in NFC Wild Card Playoffs

This week: at Philadelphia Eagles in NFC Divisional Playoffs

For those not convinced that this bunch of Atlanta Falcons is much different from a year ago, last Saturday night’s impressive win over the Los Angeles Rams at the Coliseum out to have opened some eyes.

Led by a solid running game, a physical offensive front and a swarming defense, the defending NFC champions doubled up Sean McVay’s club and won a road playoff game for the first time since 2002.

Now Dan Quinn’s club heads north to the City of Brotherly Love and takes on the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles, who are minus starting quarterback Carson Wentz these days. But Doug Pederson’s club still owns the NFL’s fourth-ranked overall defense and no team in the league allowed fewer rushing yards per game this season.

Against the Rams, the Falcons ran 72 offensive plays – 39 rushing attempts and 33 pass plays. They managed a respectable 322 yards and more importantly, controlled the football for an impressive 37:35. That’s certainly a formula for winning regardless of the venue.

And after starting his career with a less-than-impressive showing in the playoffs, quarterback Matt Ryan has impressed. In his last four postseason appearances, he’s thrown 10 TD passes without an interception and lost just one fumble despite being sacked 11 times. In his first five career playoff appearances, he served up nearly as many interceptions (7) as aerial scores (9) and lost three fumbles while again being sacked 11 times.

The battle-tested Falcons appear to be a very dangerous team these days. But it’s still tough to put them ahead of five other teams.

Next: No. 5