If the playoffs started today, the Falcons would be the 7th seed and square off against the Packers at Lambeau Field in the Wild Card round. Atlanta was embarrassed in the trenches against the Panthers, dropping their overall record to 3-4 with two divisional losses. Sitting a game under .500 with an unfavorable schedule on the horizon, the Falcons’ chances of making the playoffs seemed far-fetched.
Then, the Falcons would come out as touchdown underdogs and surprise everybody. Arthur Smith would earn his first NFC South victory, Terry Fontenot beat his former employer (of 18 years), and the Falcons were back at .500 with their sights on the playoffs. So can the Falcons make a push for the postseason?
Remaining schedule:Â at DAL, vs. NE, at JAX, vs. TB, at CAR, at SF, vs. DET, at BUF, vs. NO
Division Leaders
1. NFC West: Arizona Cardinals (8-1)
2. NFC North: Green Bay Packers (7-2)
3. NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
4. NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
Wild-Card Race
5. Los Angeles Rams (7-2)
6. New Orleans Saints (5-3)
7. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
8. Carolina Panthers (4-5)
9. Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
According to FiveThirtyEight, the Falcons currently have a 25% chance to make the playoffs (as of 11/10). Their models project Atlanta to finish 8-9 and as the 8th seed, just missing the postseason. FiveThirtyEight is a somewhat reliable tool to use in these situations, and it sees the final two spots in the NFC playoff picture coming down to the wire.
1. AZ 14-3
2. TB 13-4
3. GB 12-5
4. DAL 12-5
5. LAR 12-5
6. NO 9-8
7. SEA 8-9
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8. ATL 8-9 (25% chance to make playoffs)
9. MIN 7-10
10. SF 7-10
11. PHI 7-10
The Falcons have won four of their last six games, and the team is buzzing with confidence after knocking off their most hated rival at their place. The road to the playoffs won’t be easy for a team with an unreliable run game and a nonexistent defense, but missing the playoffs by this much would be a great outcome in a first-year regime’s inaugural season.
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