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2019 NFL Power Rankings: Who heads into summer at No. 1?

By Ian Cummings

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Dan Quinn and Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons discuss the next play during the final minute of a 34-32 win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Head coach Dan Quinn and Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons discuss the next play during the final minute of a 34-32 win over Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

No. 13 – Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have the talent to exceed this ranking. As long as Matt Ryan is the quarterback, the Falcons will have a competitive chance. But there are a few questions that need to be answered, before the Falcons can go back to the playoffs.

First off, Dan Quinn enters the 2019 season with his seat growing hotter, and after a befuddled 2018 season with Steve Sarkisian engineering an inconsistent offensive attack, Quinn hired Dirk Koetter to glean more production from the talented unit. Koetter coached for the falcons before; from 2012 to 2014, he served as their offensive coordinator, and in that time span, his offenses averaged at No. 10 in the league in total yardage. In 2014, his unit eclipsed 6,000 total yards, and he’ll hope to mirror that success in 2019.

Koetter certainly has the talent in house to pull it off. Matt Ryan is one of the NFL’s most under-appreciated quarterbacks, and he has the likes of Devonta Freeman, Ito Smith, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu, and Austin Hooper to throw to. Couple the team’s weapons with the acquisition of Chris Lindstrom via the NFL Draft, and a return to prominence is possible.

On the defensive side of the ball, there’s more pressure on Dan Quinn to use the hand he’s been dealt. Injuries ravaged the Falcons defense in 2018, but in 2019, with Grady Jarrett franchise tagged and several starters coming back, Quinn has to improve from his team’s No. 28 mark in total defense last season. The Falcons’ resurgence is contingent on coaching. If Koetter is what the offense needs to maintain consistency, and if Quinn can still handle defensive coordinator duties on top of his head coach responsibilities, then look for the Falcons to contend in the NFC South.

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