Even after a tough 23-16 victory over the Detroit Lions, the Atlanta Falcons still have a long way to go to regain their preseason standing, when they were a trendy pick for the Super Bowl. In the latest NFL Power Rankings at SBNation, the Falcons are only at No. 18, the lowest ranked four-win team in the NFL:
18. Atlanta Falcons (4-3, LW: 20): They've finally won two in a row this season. I think the Falcons can play more consistently down the stretch but I won't be betting on it.
After Matt Ryan and Ovie Mughelli both sustained injuries against the Lions, the Falcons' bye week couldn't have come at a better time.
Even better, their first game after the bye is against the win-less Indianapolis Colts, who are already in a race to the bottom in order to grab Andrew Luck in next year's NFL Draft.
That would give the Falcons essentially two full weeks to recover before a crucial NFC South showdown with the New Orleans Saints, a game that will decide whether Atlanta has any chance of winning the division.