Atlanta Falcons vs Panthers: Win and in game predictions

The Atlanta Falcons need a win in Week 17 to guarantee their spot in the playoffs, our staff predicts whether or not they will beat the Carolina Panthers

Week 17 is the first playoff game for the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, they could still get some help if the Seattle Seahawks lose, but the fact is they get themselves into the playoffs by winning at home this Sunday. Standing in their way is the 11-4 Carolina Panthers, a team that beat them by just three points on Nov. 5.

Now the stakes are much higher. The Panthers have a shot at winning the NFC South, should the New Orleans Saints somehow lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As for the Falcons, a loss means the only hope they have is for the Arizona Cardinals to upend the Seahawks.

For Atlanta, this is such a fitting ending to a roller coaster of a season. They began 3-0, but have struggled mightily since then. Now it’s all up in the air, but if they can finally put it all together for 60 minutes, they can head to the tournament and attempt to defend their NFC Championship.

With so much on the line, the tension can be cut with a knife. But fear not. The members of our very own Blogging Dirty are here to let you know how the game is going to play out. Well, at least we will give our best guess.