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Atlanta Falcons: Four things they must do to make playoffs in 2016

By Kit Anderson

Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops out of the pocket to throw the ball to wide receiver Julio Jones (11) for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops out of the pocket to throw the ball to wide receiver Julio Jones (11) for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Win the division games

It does not matter what sport you play, if you cannot beat the teams in your own back yard you will not go far. The Falcons will not go to the playoffs or even manage more then six-to-eight wins if they cannot take care of business within their own division.

The Saints and the Bucs both swept the Falcons last season, and it can’t happen again. Two teams within our division swept the season series and those four games were the difference in a good season or a middling one.

The Panthers series was a split and one that most Falcons fans would take again this season. If the Falcons can split with the Panthers and take care of business against the Bucs and Saints this means going 4-0 or 3-1, they will have a shot of making the playoffs.

Not to imply that any NFL opponent is ever easy, but some are pointedly easier. The Saints and the Bucs are two teams that are both expected to be beatable in 2016. Whether or not we can do this will be answered in the first four weeks of the season as we will see all three division opponents once in that span.

Next: No. 2

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