Relax fans, the Atlanta Falcons will win the NFC South
By John Follett
The Atlanta Falcons dropped to 7-5 last week and into a tie atop of the NFC South. No need to panic Falcons fans, the division title is still coming home to Georgia.
With the toughest part of the schedule behind them, the Atlanta Falcons should walk through the rest of the regular season. Okay, perhaps “walk through” is a little too optimistic. Either way, Atlanta’s remaining opponents combine for a 14-34 record. The Falcons will be favored to win each of their remaining games and rightfully so.
The bad news for Bucs’ fans is the trip to Dallas ahead in Week 15
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also have a favorable remaining schedule that includes Carolina and a pair of duels with New Orleans. The bad news for Bucs’ fans is the trip to Dallas ahead in Week 15. Tampa Bay’s defense ranks 25th against the run. Expect the Cowboys to run the ball aplenty and deal the Buccaneers another loss in the process.
Atlanta’s toughest remaining game may be Christmas Eve at Carolina. Games close to holidays can be sketchy, especially for teams on the road. Cam Newton has regressed this season but his mobility poses a threat for a Falcons defense struggling to generate pressure. The Panthers will play like a team with nothing to lose, as they should. Thankfully for Falcons Nation, Carolina isn’t far from home and Atlanta has played better on the road this season.
Some believe the New Orleans Saints still have a prayer to capture the NFC South title. It will take knocking off Tampa Bay twice and beating the Falcons at the Georgia Dome for it to happen. The Saints have been offensively inconsistent all season and boast a defense giving up Falcons-like yardage to opponents. Atlanta outscored the Saints once already this season and likely do so again in Week 17.
Only the Atlanta Falcons control their own destiny in the NFC South. Tampa Bay carries a lot of momentum into the remaining weeks of the season but still rely on a young quarterback to win. The Bucs have won games by the closest of margins and it’s about time for their luck to run out.
Nothing in the NFL is truly a lock, but Atlanta winning the NFC South is pretty close to one.