Falcons still in hunt for playoffs, winning season

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons have heard the facts.

Some know the gruesome details. Others just play like it's not a big deal.

But veteran center Todd McClure is keenly aware of the scarlet letter on the franchise's 44-year-old history book.

"The team has been here since ‘66 and it's very odd that they haven't put back-to-back winning seasons together," McClure said Monday. "It's one thing that we'd like to do for our fans. Having back-to-back winning seasons is something that they've never had."

Things got off to a good start. The Falcons were 4-1 after five game and 5-3 at the halfway point. But the team has dropped four of its last five games and is a six-point underdog Sunday at the New York Jets.

Now, to end the dubious streak and keep their playoff hopes alive, they must win all three remaining games.

"I have heard of [the '66 drought], but we really don't talk about it," offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka said. "I'm not really big on history. But just because we haven't gotten back-to-back winning seasons doesn't mean that we are not going to get one."

This is wide receiver Roddy White's first shot at breaking the back-to-back streak. For McClure, he's been on three winning teams since 2000.

"Back-to-back winning season, we have a chance to make it happen," White said. "We have to go out there and tackle these games one by one. From there, we'll break the streak."

In addition to breaking the streak, the Falcons have a path -- a tenuous one -- that could still lead them to the playoffs.

They need Dallas (8-5) to lose their remaining games at New Orleans, at Washington and against Philadelphia. That would leave the Cowboys 8-8.

They need the New York Giants to finish 1-2 or 0-3. That would leave them at 8-8 or 7-9. The Giants close out with games at Washington, against Carolina and at Minnesota.

By winning out, the Falcons would reach 9-7. San Francisco, which played Arizona on Monday, could win out and tie the Falcons at 9-7. But the Falcons trounced the 49ers' 45-10 on Oct. 11 and hold the tiebreaker.

"Anything can happen," McClure said. "You've seen crazier stuff happen over the years. I think the most important thing is that we've got to win out. If we go out and take care of our business, we can let the rest fall into place."

The Jets (7-6) will be the last team the Falcons face with a winning record. Buffalo is 5-8 and Tampa Bay is 1-12.

"We're still in the hunt," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "The season is not over."

The offense, which came back to life against the Saints, will face a stiff test from the Jets.

The Jets' defense is ranked No. 1 in the league in points allowed (16.2), yards allowed (264.7) and passing yards allowed (160.4). They play the 3-4 alignment under first-year coach Rex Ryan.

The Falcons' haven't seen the 3-4 since playing Dallas on Oct. 25. They struggled to run the ball against Miami (68 yards) and New England (58 yards) and are 2-2 in games against 3-4 teams.

"It would be great to get going here, get some guys back and end this season on a positive note and hopefully have a chance to get into the post-season," McClure said. "I think coming out playing football like we want to play it will help us end the season off right."