It may have been just a pipedream, but it was a dream, nonetheless.
Let's be perfectly clear here: The Atlanta Falcons' playoffs chances were extremely minute before Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints even kicked off.
Still, there was a chance, and they were inching closer in recent weeks to being in contention. And with 27 seconds left in regulation, the Falcons had the ball and a chance to knock off New Orleans, currently the NFC's No. 1 seed, and get a win.
Atlanta had won four of its last six games under interim coach Raheem Morris and a win over the Saints would have not only improved the Falcons record to 5-7 but put them in the mix with a slew of other NFC teams still jockeying for three playoff spots that'll go to non-division winners. Keep in mind that 11 teams across the league entered the weekend with five to seven wins, too.
It didn't happen.
With nine seconds left in regulation and the ball on the Saints' 39-yard line, Matt Ryan hurled the ball toward the end zone where Julio Jones was waiting with several Saints defenders. The ball was tipped and bobbled before falling to the ground.
Game over.
With the win and the Chicago Bears' loss to the Detroit Lions, the Saints (10-2) officially clinched a playoff spot. Atlanta is now 4-8 and all eight of its' defeats have come to NFC teams, which doesn't bode well at all when it comes to tie-breaker scenarios.
No one – and by that, I mean Falcons fans – cares how and why the Falcons lost by five points to their bitter rivals on Sunday. It's not important now. However, the fact Atlanta had a chance to beat the Saints and keep pace with a pack of NFC teams still fighting for playoff spots does sting.
A week ago, after dismantling the Raiders 43-6, I noted that no one is talking about playoffs around here. And that holds true now, even more so.
The hated Saints, though, are heading to the postseason, and the Falcons had a chance to at least hurt their playoff positioning – and let it get away.
New Orleans has beaten the Falcons in six of the last seven matchups between these two teams, including three straight now. Outside of the 26-9 shocker down in New Orleans last year, a win that I still think was Dan Quinn’s biggest as coach here, the Falcons' previous win over the Saints came on Dec. 7, 2017.
Simply put, the Saints have dominated the Falcons over the last three seasons and that's really why this loss hurts a little more tonight.
Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints with top photos from Week 13.
Details of the Atlanta Falcons Throwback uniform are shown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
The field inside Mercedes Benz Stadium is shown before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons safety Sharrod Neasman #41 wears cleats to support Academy of Kings during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 wears cleats to support March of Dimes and Miracle Babies at Northside Hospital during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 wears cleats to support the Unstoppable foundation during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 wears cleats to support Autism Speaks during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 wears cleats to support the Unstoppable foundation during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 wears cleats to support Black Lives Matter during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 wears cleats to support Black Lives Matter during the My Cause My Cleats initiative before the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 29, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 runs out onto the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 is shown before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds #59 leads the huddle during pregame against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Tyeler Davison #96 is shown before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst #81 for My Cause, My Cleats during pregame against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 is shown before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 runs out of the tunnel during pregame against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 wears cleats in support of Food Allergy research and Education (FARE) before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 wears cleats to support Partners Against Domestic Violence (PADV) before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons huddle up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the first quarter during the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 in action during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 in action during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill #7 during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill #7 during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 and linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 celebrate after making a tackle during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 celebrates making a sack in the first half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 celebrates after making a tackle during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 is celebrates after making a field goal during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 in action during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 makes a field goal during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 makes a field goal during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 in action during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in action during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 in action during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 in action during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 in action during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 warms up during pregame against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey #93 in action during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
The Atlanta Falcons defense at work against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 celebrates after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 in action during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 competes a catch during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 in action during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 celebrates with wide receiver Julio Jones #11 after diving for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 dives for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 celebrates with wide receiver Julio Jones #11 after diving for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 dives for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 in action for an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 in action during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 runs the ball during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
An Atlanta Falcons throwback helmet sits on an equipment case during the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 gestures against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 makes a catch against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 makes a catch against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 makes a catch against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 reacts against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 prepares to snap the ball against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris gestures during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 makes a catch against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 listens to quarterback Matt Ryan #2 on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 gestures during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 celebrates a touchdown scored by wide receiver Russell Gage #83 during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 stands ready against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 makes a tackle during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Cleats worn by Atlanta Falcons safety Sharrod Neasman #41 for My Cause, My Cleats during pregame against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 gestures during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
The New Orleans Saints stand under the "Visitor" scoreboard during the game on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 hit New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill #7 during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons safety Sharrod Neasman #41 and Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal #22 defend during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 makes a field goal during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 picks up a fumble during the second half against the New Orleans Saints on December 6, 2020.
