The Falcons currently lead the NFC South Division with a 4-6 record. This late in the season it seems incredibly likely the winner of the NFC South will secure the division’s guaranteed playoff spot with a losing record. Before Falcons’ fans celebrate, however, they need to realize there are still six weeks left. How Atlanta performs over those weeks will determine the Falcons postseason fate.
Atlanta’s main, and likely only, competition for the division is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints currently have the same record as Atlanta does, but the Falcons own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Both teams will likely lose at least three or more games down the stretch. The Falcons will likely need to win only three games to claim the division title. The Falcons will also likely need one of those wins to come on the road at New Orleans.
The roster Atlanta will face is changing as the Saints’ injuries are currently piling up. The Saints have lost three safeties to likely season-ending injuries since the beginning of October. Quarterback Drew Brees is also running out people to throw the ball to, as one skill position player after another is forced to sit out multiple games due to injuries.
Atlanta’s terrible regular-season performance might not matter if the Falcons can put it together in the playoffs. The Falcons might even be favored to win the first round of the playoffs since they would be at home. After that, they could conceivably draw a team or two that suffered key injuries that allow the Falcons an opportunity to advance even further. They are unlikely to make any real noise in the postseason, but for now the sky is the limit. The possibility of winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl is unlikely, but not yet out of reach.
