NFL power rankings, playoff edition: Kicking off the Wild Card round

NFL power rankings to kick off the Wild Card round of the playoffs

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 31: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield for a 96 yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Robert Alford #23 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates an interception to end the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 7. team. 44. . W, 22-10 vs. Panthers

Not long ago, we were wondering if the Falcons were going to suffer a post-Super Bowl-loss hangover and miss the postseason entirely in 2017.

Well, they made it. But it was a struggle.

Week 17’s win over the Panthers was of the must-win variety, but it’s still hard to imagine the Falcons getting back to the Super Bowl. This has been an up-and-down team this year, and we’re not quite sure they’re anything close to the level we saw a year ago at this time.

Still, any combination consisting of quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones is dangerous, so don’t sleep on that.

But the key factor will be whether or not Atlanta’s defense can win a vital road contest against an equally dangerous offense in the Rams during Wild Card weekend.