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 | Patriots · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| They get Tom Brady back. They have the deepest team in the league. Oh, and they have the best coach. Add it up, and it's no wonder they are Super favorites. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Steelers · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| The champions are loaded again and will be in the thick of it come playoff time. They didn't do much to improve their offensive line, though, which has to be a concern. | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Colts · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| Peyton Manning is back healthy again, so they are a real contender again. The addition of Donald Brown to the running game will give it more explosiveness. The key will be the return to health of major defensive players. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Cardinals · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| They've done some nice things in the offseason, including adding corner Bryant McFadden and drafting Beanie Wells to carry the football. They will be a playoff team again and maybe they'll finish in Miami. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Eagles · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| They've had a wonderful offseason, adding key players like tackles Jason Peters and Stacey Andrews and loading up in the draft with speed and quickness. They will be tough to stop on offense. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Giants · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| They fortified the defense with some key free agents and added a speed receiver in Hakeem Nicks to the passing game. Tom Coughlin will have this team in the playoffs again. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Titans · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| They haven't done a lot, and losing Albert Haynesworth will hurt. The other thing is their division is tough. They also have to get more big plays from their passing game. | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Ravens · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| Joe Flacco will be better in his second season as a starter and that defense will once again be among the best. They do have to take their passing game up a notch. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Falcons · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| It's all about the defense for the Falcons. Adding Tony Gonzalez makes the offense complete and the draft was loaded with defensive picks to help the other side. They aren't going away. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Saints · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| This is another team that has improved its defense in the past four months in terms of talent. Now new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has to bring it all together. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Chargers · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| This is still a deep, talented team. If Philip Rivers continues to develop, the Chargers will easily be the class of the AFC West. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Texans · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| The Texans have a lot of important pieces in place. As long as Matt Schaub can stay healthy, they might be ready to make a real playoff push. | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Panthers · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| They will be the same team: Run heavy and play tough defense. Is that enough? Jake Delhomme has to play better. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Bears · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| Getting Jay Cutler is the steal of the offseason. He makes them a real playoff threat. Yes, I do believe that. | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Cowboys · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They have talent, but something just seems to be off. I don't think they're as good as the Eagles or Giants in their own division, which is why they are down this low. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Bengals · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| Getting Palmer back makes them dangerous and the defense will be better around him. I like the Bengals as a sleeper team. I really do. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Vikings · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| Quarterback. It's all about the quarterback. Whether it's Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson, that position has to be better. Words of advice: Stay away from that guy named Favre. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Packers · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| The move to a 3-4 under new coordinator Dom Capers will be one to watch closely. If that side of the ball plays better, Aaron Rodgers might get them to a playoff game. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Bills · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| Can Terrell Owens make them a playoff team? That might be stretching it, but they will be better on offense. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Seahawks · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| New coach Jim Mora takes over a veteran team that was hurt by injuries last season. They need to keep Matt Hasselbeck healthy. If they do, they will push the Cardinals. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | Jets · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| How long does it take to get Mark Sanchez ready? If he's what they think he is, they will be better than expected. If not, it's a redshirt season and they will win six games. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Buccaneers · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| Who plays quarterback? Whoever it is has to be better than what they had last season. There are also some age concerns on defense. New coach Raheem Morris faces a challenging first season. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Redskins · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| They're the fourth team in a four-team division. That will make it tough to win eight games. | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Jaguars · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| They've made some nice moves to fix the offensive line, and now it's time for the offense to do more. The defense also needs young players to step up, especially end Derrick Harvey. | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Broncos · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| They're excited about Kyle Orton. I'm not. I think he's OK. They better hope the defense plays better than a year ago or it won't matter who quarterbacks the Broncos. I do like Knowshon Moreno. | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Dolphins · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| They are the step-back team this season. But in 2010, look out. I think Chad Henne will take over at some time this season. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | 49ers · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| It's all quarterback with the 49ers. Can Shaun Hill or Alex Smith get the job done? If not, they'll stay down here all year long. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Raiders · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| It's all about JaMarcus Russell. If he plays an entire season to the level of expectations, the Raiders will be better. I think he can. But they have other issues. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Chiefs · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| They landed their quarterback in Matt Cassel and have added a few players to help, but new coach Todd Haley faces a big task in getting this offense to play like his Arizona unit did. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Browns · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| New coach Eric Mangini will build this team the way he wants it. But one has to wonder if that's a good thing considering his Jets history. | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Rams · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| The Rams were a disaster last year. New coach Steve Spagnuolo has a lot of work to do. They're at least a year away. | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Lions · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| They have their franchise quarterback to build around, and Jim Schwartz will do a good job, but there's a lot of work still to be done. | ||||||||||
