Sports
Sports

Analytics: Falcons doubled their chances of winning the NFC South

12/07/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates after incepting the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Thursday, December 7, 2017. The Falcons beat the Saints, 20-7. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

12/07/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates after incepting the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Thursday, December 7, 2017. The Falcons beat the Saints, 20-7. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM
By
Dec 8, 2017

FLOWERY BRANCH  — With the 20-17 win over the Saints, the Falcons doubled their chances of winning the NFC South title.

Before the game, the Falcons an 11 percent chance of taking the title, according to the website makeNFLplayoffs.com . With the win, that increased to 23.3 percent.

The Falcons percentage of making the playoffs improved from 44.9 percent to 62.2 percent with the victory.

The playoff race is still wide open in the NFC. No teams have clinched and only three have been eliminated.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Gainesville tight end Trent Wilcox (right) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes defensive back Jalen Hoskins during their Class 5A quarterfinal game of the GHSA state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

In delayed quarterfinal playoff game, Gainesville knocks out top-ranked Hughes

Gainesville took command with a dominant finish to the first half and start to the second half, rolling to a statement 40-32 win over Hughes.

The last mile to Atlanta: The two-team race for the Celebration Bowl

A final showdown stands between Jackson State, Prairie View A&M and the biggest spotlight in HBCU football. 

Culinary request restarts the basketball rivalry between Georgia State and Kennesaw State

On Saturday at 3 p.m. in VyStar Arena, Kennesaw State will host Georgia State, the third meeting in the last three years between the two in a recently-renewed rivalry.

The Latest

Gainesville tight end Trent Wilcox (right) scores a receiving touchdown against Hughes defensive back Jalen Hoskins during their Class 5A quarterfinal game of the GHSA state playoffs at Langston Hughes High School on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Fairburn. (Jason Getz/AJC)

In delayed quarterfinal playoff game, Gainesville knocks out top-ranked Hughes

The last mile to Atlanta: The two-team race for the Celebration Bowl

Culinary request restarts the basketball rivalry between Georgia State and Kennesaw State

Featured

Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

A viral confrontation and a sudden resignation shake up Georgia GOP

The man behind the vigilante sting operation that apparently netted a teenage GOP official says he has no regrets.

Why the Atlanta school board voted to close and repurpose some schools

Sixteen schools will be repurposed under the APS Forward 2040 plan as enrollment falls and the district seeks better resources for students.

Small-town Georgia DA brings almost as many RICO cases as Fulton’s Fani Willis

Griffin Judicial Circuit has brought 13 RICO indictments since June 2020.