Updated Nov. 11
For weeks we've been waiting for the right time to say it, hesitant because it just didn't seem right to say the Atlanta Falcons were a real playoff threat. Is it because we expected them to take the young-team fall we anticipated from a group that came into the season in rebuilding mode?
That hasn't happened, so it's time to let it rip:
The Falcons are a real playoff threat.
There's no denying it any more. The way they handled the New Orleans Saints on Sunday is the all the proof we need.
The Atlanta defense was the last remaining question for this team, but shutting down Drew Brees the way it did says that unit has improved enough to call it a playoff defense.
The story of the Falcons is the best of this season in a league full of great ones. It's so shocking that many inside the building are even surprised, even if they won't admit it.
This was to be a rebuilding season with an eye on 2010 as the playoff year. It was a three-year plan to turn the Falcons around. First-year coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff won't admit it now, but they had to be realistic and a three-year plan to turn the Falcons around made sense.
Now that timetable is off. This team is good.
They can run it. They can throw it with Matt Ryan and the defense is growing up under a rising coaching star, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.
If the Falcons make the playoffs and Smith isn't the coach of the year, then the award should be eliminated.
The Falcons started out in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings at No. 31, which means one away from last. Now they're in the top 10. That's hard to believe.
After the Michael Vick fiasco, the Bobby Petrino mess and the feeling of disconnect from Atlanta fans, the Falcons are a great story. The best thing for their chances to win the division is that Tampa Bay and Carolina -- the two teams ahead of them in the NFC South -- both have to come to Atlanta.
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The amazing thing about the Atlanta start is that most thought the two lines would be problem areas. The coaching staff said they were the worry spots before the season. They've been the opposite of that.
The offensive line plays with a nasty streak, making up for some athletic limitations, and the defensive line has overachieved, especially inside. Defensive end John Abraham is having a huge season rushing the passer, but the rest of the defense isn't exactly star-studded.
Atlanta also starts four rookies if you count the nickel back (Chevis Jackson), the third receiver (Henry Douglas) and injured left tackle Sam Baker, who is expected back in a few weeks. The best of the first-year players is Ryan. Without him, this wouldn't be happening. He's the best rookie quarterback since Peyton Manning.
He sees the field. He plays with a swagger. He works his butt off doing the little things. He's cut from the Manning-Tom Brady cloth.
The Falcons did the right thing starting him on opening day, thinking that this would be a building year for the future. But Ryan's play has accelerated the timetable.
So go ahead and say it: The Falcons are for real.
The Power Rankings through Week 10:
| Power Rankings | ||||||||||
| Current | Team | Previous | ||||||||
 | 1 | Saints · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| What is hidden about the Saints is that there are a lot of good, young players on their roster. I can't imagine them taking a big step back. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Colts · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| Let's not forget they get Anthony Gonzalez back next year, which will make the offense better. They are the team to beat in the AFC again. | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Vikings · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| After blowing a chance to win the NFC title game in regulation, it must have killed the Vikings to see the Saints win the Super Bowl. Now Minnesota has to play the waiting game with Brett Favre. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Chargers · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| They have a lot of contracts that come up, and they will have to make some tough decisions. There is still a lot of talent on this team, but they have to get over the hump at some point. Losing to the Jets was a big upset. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Cowboys · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| Wade Phillips comes back for another year, and he has to get this team past the first round of the playoffs again. Tony Romo is in the same situation. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Eagles · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| Can we stop the Donovan McNabb trade talk? He will be back, and he should be back. Will Brian Westbrook? | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Jets · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| The next step will be letting Mark Sanchez do more. They have to throw it better in 2010. And they will. | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Packers · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| Aaron Rodgers showed he's a star in the making this season. That will make Green Bay a Super threat in 2010. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Bengals · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| They made big strides to win the division, but they have to improve the passing game. That means getting speed help outside. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Ravens · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| It's time for Joe Flacco and that passing game to take a big step forward. You have to get big chunks of yardage to win in this league. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Patriots · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| Tom Brady will be a year removed from his knee injury, which means he will be better. The key for the Patriots will be improving their pass rush. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Cardinals · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| Matt Leinart takes over for the retired Kurt Warner. There are a lot of questions about the former Heisman winner, but the Cardinals staff believes in him. Do his teammates? | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Broncos · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| What do they do with Brandon Marshall? Is he back? Is he traded? They need him, that's for sure. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Steelers · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| The concerns with this team are on both lines. They have to play better there. Isn't that the Steelers way? | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Texans · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| They had a winning season, but it's time to make the playoffs. They do have an explosive passing game, which gives them a good chance. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Falcons · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| They played the Saints tough twice with a lot of injuries. That has to give them hope heading into next season. They have to work on fixing that defense. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Giants · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| There is some talk that Tom Coughlin could be in trouble if he doesn't win next season. I don't buy it. But they do have to improve the defense. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Titans · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| Vince Young played well when he took over. Now he has to show he can do it again. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Dolphins · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| I think this is a team to watch in 2010. Chad Henne will give the Dolphins a better chance to get to a Super Bowl. He does need a receiver. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | 49ers · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| The Niners have talent, but they have to throw it better to be a playoff team. I think Alex Smith just might be the answer. The offensive line needs fixing. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | Jaguars · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| Jack Del Rio got another year, which some question. Does his quarterback get the same? | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Panthers · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| They have to decide who plays quarterback. Is it Matt Moore or Jake Delhomme? It should be Moore. What to do with Julius Peppers? | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Redskins · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| Mike Shanahan has to decide if Jason Campbell is his quarterback of choice. I bet he decides that he is. Hiring Jim Haslett was a good move for the defense. | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Bears · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| Lovie Smith has one year to show that he can turn this team around. Hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator is a great move. | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Seahawks · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| Pete Carroll has a long way to go to turn this team around. First decision is if Matt Hasselbeck is the right guy at quarterback. | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Bills · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| Is Chan Gailey the right choice? Let's put it this way: His hiring was a surprise. He does know offense. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | Chiefs · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| You can bet the first priority is trying to improve that offensive line. Matt Cassel took a beating. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Browns · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| Eric Mangini gets another year, and he probably earned it late. Can Mike Holmgren turn this team around? He has a lot of work to do. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Buccaneers · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| Raheem Morris gets another year and his team should be better just because Josh Freeman will be better. Hey, they did beat the Saints late in the season. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Raiders · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| Tom Cable is back. Is that a good thing? Who knows? If they don't fix the quarterback position, does it matter? | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Lions · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| It's all about improving the defense. They need pass-rush help in the worst way. They are another year away from competing -- at least. | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Rams · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| They have a huge decision at the top of the draft: Do they take a quarterback or do they solve that by acquiring Michael Vick? We'll see. | ||||||||||
