Atlanta Falcons have a golden opportunity to win NFC South

Last Sunday the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in a crazy game, silencing many critics including many in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Falcons looked like a completely different team compared to their performance in Minnesota. The defense played one of their best games in the Dan Quinn era.

Many critics will blame the game on injuries to the Eagles wide receivers. This is an arrogant statement as the Atlanta Falcons punched the Eagles in the mouth. The Eagles style of play is to bully other teams with their offensive and defensive lines. The Falcons stood up to the bully and were the more physical team.

Did anyone blame injuries for the Eagles last year when the Falcons lost nearly as many starters as the Eagles did? (The answer is no)

Moving forward, if the defense can show that physical style of play, they will be able to beat anyone. Looking ahead at the schedule the Falcons have a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead in the NFC South.

Their next six opponents are the Colts, Titans, Texans, Cardinals, Rams, and Seahawks. The Falcons have struggled against AFC opponents and need to play well during this stretch. The Cardinals should give them no issues and thankfully the Falcons are playing the Rams and Seahawks at home. If the Falcons can go 4-2 or 5-1 during this stretch lock them in to win the NFC South.

The division is also looking weak. The Panthers are 0-2 and there are a lot of question marks about Cam Newton’s play. The Buccaneers likely will not be able to keep pace with the Falcons as Bruce Arians is in his first year with Tampa.

The Saints are the Falcons biggest threat for the division and they just lost Drew Brees for the next six games. They have a brutal stretch as they play the Seahawks, Cowboys, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Bears, and Cardinals without Drew Brees.

Even with Brees, the Saints would struggle with the Seahawks, Cowboys, and Bears. Except the Saints to drop those three and hopefully the Jaguars, Buccaneers, or Cardinals will be able to steal one from them.

In a perfect world, the Saints will go 0-6 during this stretch but they will likely go 2-4. Even when Brees is back he might struggle for a few games because his thumb injury is on his throwing hand. He might look okay in practice throwing the football when he is back, but he is in a real game he will struggle for a few games. The Falcons must take advantage of this golden opportunity.