Die Atlanta Falcons haben seit sechs langen Jahren nicht mehr die Playoffs erreicht.
"Wir haben noch sechs Spiele vor uns. Es wird sich wie sechs Endspiele anfühlen", sagte Head Coach Arthur Smith.
Mit dem Schlüsselsieg gegen den Erzrivalen, die New Orleans Saints, gelang Atlanta eine Wiedergutmachung nach drei Niederlagen in Folge vor der Bye-Week. Die Falcons fanden einen Weg zurück und eroberten die Spitze der Division. Sie behalten eine makellose 3-0-Bilanz in Duellen mit Konkurrenten aus der NFC South.
Um wieder in die Playoffs zu kommen, müssen die Falcons jedoch die Saison stark beenden. Der Spielplan schaut machbar aus. Sechs schlagbare Gegner warten, die zusammen eine schwache Bilanz von 24-43 aufweisen.
Hier ist der Überblick:
Nächste Woche spielen sie in New Jersey, wo sie den New York Jets (4-7) im MetLife Stadium gegenüberstehen. Die Saison der Jets ist noch nicht in Fahrt gekommen, nachdem sich Star-Quarterback Aaron Rodgers in seinem ersten Spiel für sein neues Team direkt verletzte.
Gegen die Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) spielen sie anschließend am 10. Dezember im Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Die Falcons haben bereits ihren einzigen Auswärtssieg in Tampa gesichert und werden zuversichtlich sein, gegen ihren divisionalen Rivalen zu gewinnen.
Am 17. Dezember reisen sie zu den Carolina Panthers (1-10), aktuell das schwächste Team in der gesamten NFL, das verständlicherweise nun Head Coach Frank Reich entlassen hat. Dies sollte ein einfacher Sieg für die Falcons werden, aber das wurde auch kürzlich gegen die Arizona Cardinals behauptet, die zuvor nur einen Sieg verbucht hatten. Angesichts der Niederlage in Arizona sollten die kränkelnden Panthers nicht unterschätzt werden.
Am Heiligabend empfangen sie die Indianapolis Colts (6-5) im Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Die Falcons werden keine Geschenke an die Colts verteilen wollen. Mit einer sehr starken Auswärtsbilanz von 4 Siegen aus 5 Spielen, Die Colts werden auf den Sieg aus sein und ihre eigenen Playoff-Hoffnungen verteidigen wollen.
Take a monochrome look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints during Week 12.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 scores a touchdown after an interception during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Ludacris prepares on the roof during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 scores a touchdown during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 leads the huddle before the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Calais Campbell #93 during the National Anthem before the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 returns an interception for a touchdown during the first quarter of the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 carries the ball during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Quavo performs during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 walks out of the tunnel before the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 scores a touchdown after an interception during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Big Boi performs at halftime during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Grimes/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #9 reacts after a first down during the second quarter of the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
A group poses for a photo before the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Karl Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Freddy Falcon during the halftime performance during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Grimes/Atlanta Falcons)
Ludacris prepares on the roof during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 returns a kickoff during the second quarter of the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Grimes/Atlanta Falcons)
Jermaine Dupri performs at halftime during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion #13 warms up prior to the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
Sonny poses for a portrait before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Players pray together after the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Grimes/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 reacts after a carry during the second quarter of the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 arrives before the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 reacts during the fourth quarter of the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Matthew Grimes/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone #51 celebrates after the win during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Fans look on during the game during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Ludacris performs during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Kevin Liles/Atlanta Falcons)
The Atlanta Falcons huddle up prior to the game during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
CeeLo Green arrives before the game during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Ludacris poses for a portrait before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
T.I. during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Team huddle during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith #81 arrives before the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 and Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 celebrate after the win during the Week 12 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Sleepy Brown poses for a portrait before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, November 26, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Die nächste Reise führt sie zum Soldier Field, um am Silvesterabend gegen die Chicago Bears (4-8) anzutreten. Die Bears scheinen zu Hause sehr schlagbar zu sein. Dieses Spiel wird zu diesem Zeitpunkt der Saison ein Must-Win sein, um nicht mit einem bösen Kater ins neue Jahr zu starten.
Das lässt nur noch den GROSSEN SHOWDOWN am letzten Tag der Saison gegen die New Orleans Saints (5-6) übrig. Die Falcons werden gut daran tun, den Divisionstitel zu sichern, bevor sie gegen die Saints im eigenen Stadion Anfang des neuen Jahres antreten. Die Saints werden auf Rache aus sein, nachdem sie am vergangenen Wochenende in Atlanta eine schmerzhafte Niederlage hinnehmen mussten.
Die Falcons müssen sich nun in Bestform zeigen, um diese Herausforderungen zu meistern und sich ihren Platz in den Playoffs zu sichern. Ein entscheidender Schlussspurt steht bevor – es ist Zeit, die Flügel auszubreiten und zu fliegen. RISE UP!
