What a change is here. A loss would have sunk their 2026 season for good, but the Atlanta Falcons were effectively able to hit the reset button last Thursday night in their upset win over the Green Bay Packers.
The victory not only gives the Falcons new life in a relatively pathetic NFC South race, it inspired hope that their quarterback situation may be closer to getting settled than we previously believed. After a gruesome start Michael Penix Jr. put in one of the best games of his career - proving he has by far the highest ceiling on the team at his position.
As expected, the surprise win has given the Falcons a huge boost in the latest NFL power rankings from The Athletic. After placing 31st last week, they're now up to No. 25 going into Week
4.
"Michael Penix Jr. played in Week 3 for the first time since tearing his ACL in Week 11 last year. He was good against the Packers, but because of how bad Atlanta’s quarterback play was in weeks 1 and 2, it felt like a Hall of Fame performance to fans. Penix, the eighth pick in the 2024 draft, has 14 games to prove to the Falcons’ new coach and general manager he can be the quarterback of the future."
Coming into the season we knew that Atlanta was talented offensively - it was just a question of if they could get passable play at quarterback. If Penix can play like this more often than not, that question will be answered.
The other side of the ball was considered a major liability after Jalon Walker landed on IR and James Pearce was suspended for eight games to begin the season. However, the Falcons defense has performed magnificently under the circumstances. Through three games they're first in rushing defense by a wide margin and their pass rush has performed far better than anyone could have expected.
A win next week over the New Orleans Saints (ranked 20th) could put the Falcons in first place in the division and in the driver's seat for a playoff spot.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons rise up power rankings after stunning Week 3 win
