If the NFL playoffs opened today, the Falcons would be in.
I know. So what? The fact that empty accomplishments like that mean little with six weeks left in the regular season generally leads me to avoid pointing them out. But in this case, it illustrates one reason why a 6-4 team is in decent shape as it enters the home stretch of the season.
After hanging on to defeat Seattle 34-31 on Monday night when Seattle and former Georgia kicker Blair Walsh missed a 52-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds, the Falcons play their next three games and four of the final six at home. So that's one advantage. But the positive signs don't stop there.
1. TIEBREAKERS: The Falcons have lost four games, but three of their four losses came to AFC East teams (Buffalo, New York Jets, New England), which factors into their overall record but not conference record. Their only NFC loss came to Carolina. So while the Falcons are 6-4, they're 5-1 in the NFC. They also have won head-to-head matchups with Seattle, Dallas, Green Bay and Detroit, all teams that theoretically they could be battling for a wild-card berth. If the playoffs opened today, three teams from the NFC South would get in. The conference playoff seeding would be (in order): Philadelphia (East), Minnesota (Central), New Orleans (South), Los Angeles (West), Carolina (wild card) and Falcons (wild card). So the Falcons would go on the road to play -- ta-da! -- the Saints. Division play ultimately will decide the Falcons' fate, with five of their remaining six games coming against South opponents.
2. IMPROVING DEFENSE: This might sound strange coming off a game in which the Falcons nearly suffered another collapse-from-ahead loss. But the defense is improving. Most of the problems against Seattle were caused by quarterback Russell Wilson, who was pressured often and sacked three times, but often eluded Falcons defenders and was the game's leading rusher, with 86 yards. (The Falcons as a team rushed for 89 yards.) None of the Falcons' remaining opponents have a quarterback who can run like Wilson. Coverage is improving. Desmond Trufant, widely considered the defense's best player, is beginning to play his way back into form and had an interception. "We knew that the D-line was going to have to chase (Wilson)," coach Dan Quinn said. "Sometimes we had a spy on him and he still outran that player. We dressed a number of D-linemen, and we played them all. The scrambles when you're going against him aren't just run plays. They're extended. The defensive backs did an excellent job in limiting explosive plays."
3. TAKK McKINLEY: The first-round draft pick missed valuable practice time recovering from shoulder surgery after his final college season at UCLA, but he's beginning to affect opposing quarterbacks. He had a key sack of Wilson in the second quarter that led to a fumble and 10-yard return for a touchdown by Adrian Clayborn for a 10-7 lead. McKinley was credited with two quarterback hits. Afterward, with his helmet off, his hair could be scene with turquoise braids. "Not turquoise, Takk-quoise," he said. Let the Shaq-like branding begin.
4. SARK GETTING COMFORTABLE: In the past few games, Steve Sarkisian, the oft-maligned offensive coordinator, has done a better job utilizing weapons other than Julio Jones: Taylor Gabriel (who was key against Dallas), Justin Hardy (who was targeted four times and had three catches against Seattle), even tight end Levine Toilolo (25-yard touchdown). Sarkisian isn't putting Matt Ryan in as many situations to force things, keeping defenses a little more off balance. From Seattle defensive end Frank Clark: "They bring in the tight ends to give them the illusion of run looks but, you know, they get the pop passes and stuff like that. They took advantage of some of the younger players we have in there (because of injuries) by throwing over the top. They took advantage of everything they had. That's credit to them and credit to their coaches." Sark will continue to have to be creative, especially if running back Devonta Freeman (concussion) remains sidelined for an extended period.
5. CONFIDENCE: Had the Seahawks' Walsh made the tying field goal and the Falcons lost in overtime to fall to 5-5, they might have been toast – not just because of their record, but their confidence level. A team can blow only so many leads before it gets into the players' heads. But holding on may have just the opposite effect in potential close games down the stretch.
Earlier: Falcons hang on, and they may have just saved their season
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