Following their 24-21* *win against the Buccaneers on Monday night, the Falcons need just one more victory to earn a playoff berth for the second straight season.
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A dominant effort by the Los Angeles Rams knocked the Seattle Seahawks one game back of the Falcons (9-5) with two games to go. Since the Falcons own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Seahawks, that one-game lead is essentially a two-game lead.
In fact, Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker against each of the three remaining NFC teams alive in the playoff hunt thanks to its Week 3 win against Detroit, its Week 10 win against Dallas and its Week 11 win against Seattle.
Their success against the NFC's primary playoff contenders – and the conference, as a whole – has kept the Falcons in the driver's seat for a playoff spot down the stretch this season.
While one more win would secure at least a wild card spot, the Falcons have their sights set on something better.
With a game each remaining against the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons can repeat as NFC South champions for the first time in franchise history by winning their final two games. It won't be easy, however, as both teams are currently projected to make the playoffs, earning the NFC South the reputation of being toughest division in the NFL this season.
Should the Falcons falter down the stretch and drop both remaining games, they would need the Lions, Seahawks and Cowboys to each lose one more time in order to lock up that final wild card spot. The easiest path for Atlanta, however, is to focus on winning both of its final two games and earning a home game in the first round of the playoffs. The Falcons have done enough to put themselves in great shape with two games remaining. Now, they just have to finish the job.
