The Atlanta Falcons are facing one of their most defining moments as they head toward NFL Week 18. With their playoff chances alive, the team finds themselves needing not only to secure a victory against the Carolina Panthers but also relying on their longstanding rivals, the New Orleans Saints, to help them out. It is not every day Falcons fans find themselves rooting for the Saints, but the scenario demands it.
At the crux of their playoff hopes is the need for two key outcomes. First, the Falcons must win against the Panthers, as any loss would not only end their season but eliminate them from playoff discussions altogether. Second, they need the Saints to pull off the upset against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers, who have led the NFC South all season long, are heavy favorites with a 14-point spread, making this second task quite the uphill battle. Reports from Athlon Sports highlight how, "The Falcons' playoff scenario involves two things happening. Atlanta needs a win against the Carolina Panthers..."
Unfortunately for Atlanta, their playoff ambitions have suffered setbacks throughout the season. After starting strong at 6-3, their fortunes turned drastically, leading to disappointment as they grappled with inconsistent performances, particularly following their recent loss to the Panthers, which ended the season on a sour note. "Unfortunately, neither of these things happened. The Bucs defeated the Saints, 27-19, and Atlanta lost to Carolina, 44-38," the same report notes.
The Falcons have been on something of a rollercoaster ride this season. At one moment, they basked in the promise of being top contenders, having defeated the Buccaneers twice (and holding the tiebreaker) during the season. Yet, as the regular season drew to a close, those hopes began to diminish like early morning mist. The final control of their playoff destiny was taken away after their blunders, especially evident during their recent game against the Washington Commanders where poor penalties and mismanagement left them vulnerable.
By Week 18, the odds have not been kind, with playoff status indicators placing the Falcons' chances at merely 15%. "The playoff chances for the Falcons sit at a meager 15%," noted playoffstatus.com on the realities of the situation.
If the Falcons manage to beat the Panthers, they could still find themselves with some luck on their side, edging out to win the NFC South with a season record of 9-8. This would mean they could, after years of misfortune, clinch their first postseason berth since the 2017 season. "If the Falcons win...they will miraculously win the NFC South with a 9-8 record if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffer defeat at home," explains Athlon Sports.
Sadly, for fans who have witnessed disappointing seasons and heartbreaking plays, the alternative is rather grim. If the Falcons lose to the Panthers, they will not only end the season with less than expected, but they will also be eliminated from playoff contention—a fate they've been trying to avoid. The Buccaneers would clinch their division title for the fourth consecutive season, leaving the Falcons with the knowledge they had every opportunity to change their fate.
Atlanta's tumultuous season should leave their management with choices to contemplate deeply. Whether the slow decline started showing earlier this year or whether they really blew their shot with their strong start as evidenced by the loss against the Commanders, opinions are split. Either way, the failures have led to scrutiny, particularly on the coaching staff and roster decisions.
Leaving their playoff fate to chance is never easy, but fans and analysts alike are accustomed to this ebb and flow of the game. Every Sunday, the thrill of competition with the hope of new outcomes is what unites fans, making these moments of anticipation so thrilling. But, as this season has shown, hope often turns bitter when it meets reality. The pressure now intensifies for the Falcons, and with the offseason looming, owner Arthur Blank is certainly not pleased after the epic collapse this season.
Only time will tell if this organization can regroup and come back stronger next season, but for now, fans can only wait and see how the final week of the season plays out. One thing is for certain: the Falcons' playoff dreams are intricately tied to the final moments of the 2022 season, and where they go relies on both their own actions and unexpected bursts of luck from their rivals.