Don’t worry Atlanta, the Falcons will make the Playoffs
By Hassan Khan
At 9-6 and coming down to the last week, here’s why the Atlanta Falcons have a good chance at making the playoffs for the second straight year.
After being defeated by New Orleans and dropping to 9-6 this past Sunday, fear has begun to set into the hearts of Atlanta Falcons fans. We’re here to tell you not to worry. Atlanta has got this.
Going into the final game of the season, the Falcons have to either win or have the Seahawks lose to clinch a Wild Card spot. Seattle has the easier matchup, going against the 7-8 Cardinals, while the Falcons play one last home game where they will take on the 11-4 Panthers.
It’s more likely that Seattle will win, given the Seahawks have everything to play for and the Cardinals do not (you never know, though). We’re here to tell you that despite the outcome of that matchup, the Falcons will get a victory against the Panthers.
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Though the score may not show it, the Falcons offense has the capability to get downfield. In the second half of the season, they have shown it against the Seahawks, Jets, the Buccaneers twice, and even the Panthers.
Had it not been for costly mistakes, head-scratching decisions, and turnovers, the Falcons offense could almost be as efficient as the top teams in the NFL. In the first game against the Saints, quarterback Matt Ryan did throw two interceptions in the redzone (three in the whole game), but Atlanta made their way into scoring range often.
This was also true last Sunday. Had running back Devonta Freeman not fumbled the ball inside the five-yard line, or if the Falcons elected to kick a field goal instead of going for it on fourth and goal, the game would have been a lot closer.
The turning point this Sunday: be extremely careful with the ball. Atlanta is capable of putting up yardage against the Panthers, as proven by Matt Ryan’s 300-yard performance in Week 9. The Panthers secondary is also not as elite as you may think, allowing a 265+ yard passer in each of their last five games.
Next: Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft
As you put on your Cardinals gear and root for the demise of the Seahawks, you can rest easy knowing that the Falcons will find themselves competing in January once again.