NFL Atlanta Falcons

NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: Atlanta Falcons’ Scenarios

Fresh Videos

By @JamesRJReeve

Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons

Jason Getz – USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a disappointing season for the Atlanta Falcons and the entire NFC South, with the Falcons and New Orleans Saints having lead the title-race for most of the season with losing records.

This all changed in Week 15 when the Falcons lost their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-20. This dropped the Falcons down to 3rd in the NFC South, and with the Carolina Panthers securing a victory against division rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they leapfrogged the Falcons and Saints to sit precariously in 1st.

The division is still wide open. Any one of the Falcons, Saints or Panthers could take the division crown at the end of the season, but the Falcons will be hoping that their next game can help them step closer to first place once again, even with only a 7-9 record possible this season.

Their next game will see them play the Saints, who currently occupy the 2nd place spot in the division and, at the time of writing, have yet to play their Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears.

A victory against the Bears would put the Saints up to first and would increase their chances of earning an 8-8 record. But in order to achieve this, they must overcome the Falcons, who have a 4-0 record against their division foes this season.

The Falcons will be relying on quarterback Matt Ryan heavily in their upcoming battle with the Saints. Ryan has had a very respectable season this year, having thrown for 27 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions, reaching 4’112 yards through the air and a passer rating of 96.0.

All of these numbers have been aided be receiving behemoth Julio Jones, who has caught six touchdowns for 1,438 yards. This is the most productive season for Jones, who missed most of last season due to injury and did not feature for the Falcons in Week 15.

Jones should be back against the Saints, barring any setbacks, and if Ryan can connect effectively with Jones throughout the game, then the Falcons could claim a victory against the Saints’ poor defense.

Week 16 is crucial for both teams, and both sets of fans will sit through what can be seen as a nail-biting finish to the season.

James Reeve is an NFL and NCAA Football writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter or “Like” him on Facebook.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on