NFL Power Rankings roundup: Falcons fall after loss to Saints

Looking at where the Falcons stand in the different NFL power rankings heading into Week 11

The Atlanta Falcons took a slight dip in the NFL power rankings after they suffered an unexpected 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on the road last week.

It marked one of the biggest upsets of the weekend as the Saints snapped a seven-game losing streak in the first game of the Darren Rizzi era. A slow start and self-inflicted wounds hindered the Falcons in a game head coach Raheem Morris himself said Atlanta had multiple opportunities to win.

The team missed three field goals during Sunday’s three-point loss in a game that Younghoe Koo would soon like to forget.

“He had an off day. It happens,” Morris said about Koo in his postgame press conference  “A ton of times, shooters shoot. He went out there and took his shots and didn’t make them.”

Here’s a look at where the Falcons stand in the rankings across multiple different national outlets in comparison to where they stood in the previous week:

The Falcons will look to get back to the right side of the win column as they face the Denver Broncos up next on the schedule at 4:05 p.m. ET inside Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday.

The Broncos will also be aiming to redeem themselves, coming back from a 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a two-game losing streak for Bo Nix and company.

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Falcons injury report: Latest updates on Darnell Mooney, Mike Hughes

Falcons injury report: Darnell Mooney limited, 8 players ruled out for Week 11 game vs Broncos

The Atlanta Falcons released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos and eight players have officially been ruled out.

Linebacker Troy Andersen, cornerback Mike Hughes and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham won’t be suiting up in Week 11. Atlanta will be extremely thin in the secondary on Sunday as defensive backs Dee Alford and Antonio Hamilton have been ruled out for the game as well.

On the bright side, quarterback Kirk Cousins was a full participant in Friday’s practice as he deals with injuries to his elbow and shoulder. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney was limited for the second day in a row due to an Achilles injury.

Mooney was not given an official game status, meaning he’s likely good to go for Sunday’s matchup in Denver.

Falcons Week 11 injury report

Player Injury Wed Thu Fri Status
Drake London Hip FP FP FP   —
Drew Dalman Ankle FP FP FP   —
Lorenzo Carter Concussion LP FP FP   —
Kirk Cousins Shoulder/elbow LP FP FP   —
Mike Hughes Neck LP DNP DNP OUT
Tyler Allgeier Quadricep LP FP FP   —
JD Bertrand Concussion LP LP DNP OUT
Troy Andersen Knee LP LP LP OUT
Chris Lindstrom Knee LP LP FP   —
Ryan Neuzil Calf LP FP FP   —
Zach Harrison Achilles LP LP FP   —
Dee Alford Hamstring DNP DNP DNP OUT
Antonio Hamilton Pectoral DNP DNP DNP OUT
James Smith-Williams Tibia DNP DNP DNP OUT
Charlie Woerner Concussion DNP DNP OUT
Ta’Quon Graham Pectoral DNP DNP OUT
Darnell Mooney Achilles   — LP LP   —
Grady Jarrett Achilles   — LP FP   —

Darnell Mooney injury update

Mooney has been limited the last two days due to an Achilles injury. While the veteran wideout wasn’t given an injury designation on Friday’s injury report, Achilles injuries are no joke and he should be monitored entering Sunday’s game.

Kirk Cousins injury update

Cousins, despite his surprise appearance on Wednesday’s injury report, is on track to play after participating fully in the last two practices. Cousins ranks third in passing yards this season and will need to play well for Atlanta to have a chance in Week 11.

Mike Hughes injury update

Hughes has been ruled out for Sunday’s game due to a neck injury he suffered during last week’s loss to the Saints. While A.J. Terrell gets most of the headlines, Hughes has been quietly efficient this season. The entire secondary is pretty banged up with Antonio Hamilton and Dee Alford also ruled out for Week 11.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET in Denver. The Broncos are 2.5-point favorites over the Falcons.

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Falcons QB Kirk Cousins wins Pro Football Network Midseason award

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins wins Pro Football Network Midseason award…

After investing heavily in the quarterback position during the offseason, the Atlanta Falcons are sitting pretty atop the NFC South with a 6-4 record. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, who left Minnesota to sign a four-year, $180 million deal in Atlanta, has been worth every penny thus far.

For a team on a six-year playoff drought and coming off three consecutive 7-10 seasons, Cousins’ clutch play in crunch time has helped the team get over the hump through the first 10 games.

Atlanta’s one-dimensional offense has transformed into one of the league’s most explosive units with help from the veteran quarterback. The 36-year-old is ranked third in the NFL with 2,634 passing yards.

Cousins was named the 2024 Pro Football Network Midseason Comeback Player of the Year. Eight of PFN’s panel of 11 experts voted for the Falcons signal-caller:

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is the 2024 PFN Midseason Comeback Player of the Year, earning eight of 11 votes from our panel of experts. Exactly one year ago, Cousins was in the first days of recovery from a torn Achilles that coincided with his contract year.

Now, he’s the NFL’s No. 13 quarterback according to PFN’s proprietary QB+ metric and the man under center for a Falcons team that enters Week 11 as the NFC’s No. 3 seed. Cousins, 36, has completed 68.2% of his passes and thrown 17 touchdowns to just eight interceptions for the 6-4 Falcons. Five of Atlanta’s wins have been by one score, and Cousins has been solid in crunch time.Adam H. Beasley, Pro Football Network

Starting with the team’s improbable comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, Cousins has consistently shown up for the Falcons whenever the team has needed him.

Atlanta’s many offensive weapons have also thrived with the addition of Cousins. Wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney are on pace for career years while tight end Kyle Pitts is looking more and more like he did during his 1,000-yard rookie campaign.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris knew exactly what he was getting in Cousins and deserves credit for prioritizing a position that has held this team back for the last few years.

Atlanta will travel to Denver for a matchup against former nemesis Sean Payton and the Broncos in Week 11.

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