Atlanta Falcons must not sleep on Colts, and need someone to step up on offense

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

4. The Falcons control their own destiny

I’m a big believer in December football, and that is the time a team’s fate is determined. Winning games in September means little if you can’t get it done when it counts in December. The first three months of the season is about setting yourself up for a playoff run in the season’s final four weeks. By winning six out of seven, Atlanta achieved this goal.

Now, we are heading closer to December and the Falcons own a two-game lead in the Wild Card race despite losing three of their last four games. Atlanta now has two big home games before entering the final stretch of the season.

Currently, the Packers and Vikings are battling it out for the NFC North title, with the loser likely taking one of the two wild-card berths. The Packers and Falcons currently hold those spots with six wins each, and the closest rivals have four wins. There are seven teams on four wins.

If Atlanta loses the next two games, they will enter December no worse than level on wins with a wild-card team. Win the next two, and they can potentially put some more distance between themselves and the chasing pack entering the most important stretch of the year.

Atlanta plays four of its last seven at home. Win all of those and they sit at 10 wins and in a very strong position to reach the playoffs. Forget the slump before the bye, everything is in front of the Falcons.

Next: Beware the rest of the pack