FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons still control their playoff fate following Sunday’s victory at the Panthers. It’s a point of solace for members of the team who overcame what could have been a big blow to their postseason hopes had they not mounted the come-from-behind win.
“I think we have a lot of heart,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “We set our goals at the beginning of the season and we want to be a playoff team. We realized that we have that right there. Even after the loss last week [against the Texans] we still control our own destiny. If we go out there and win some games, at least three out of the [last] four or hopefully we can sweep it, we are a playoff team. If the playoffs started today, we are a playoff team. We have to believe that.”
The Falcons (8-5) are likely battling for an NFC wild-card spot. They currently hold the fifth seed. The Saints (10-3) have clinched a playoff spot and will clinch the South division with a victory or Falcons loss over the final three games. The Saints are at the Vikings (2-11) this week and could lock up the division before hosting the Falcons Dec. 26.
The Packers (13-0) have clinched the North and the 49ers (10-3) have clinched the West. That puts the Falcons up against the Lions (8-5), Bears (7-6), and either the Giants (7-6) or Cowboys (7-6) for the two wildcard spots. Either the Giants or the Cowboys will advance by winning the East division.
If the playoffs started today, the Falcons would open at the Giants, who hold the divisional tiebreaker over the Cowboys.
According to the website www.makenflplayoffs.com, the Falcons have a 76 percent chance to reach the postseason. They have one of the easiest roads remaining with games versus the Jaguars, at the Saints and versus the Buccaneers. The three teams have a combined record of 18-21, with the Jaguars and Buccaneers combined at 8-18. If the Falcons win out they would be guaranteed a playoff spot with 11 wins.
The Lions, who still must play at the Packers, have the most difficult remaining schedule as their opponents have a combined record of 26-13. Bears’ opponents have a combined record of 21-18. The Cowboys’ opponents have a combined record of 16-23, which includes a rematch with the Giants the final week of the season. The Giants’ opponents have a combined record of 19-20.
The Falcons are in a better position after scoring 24 unanswered points against the Panthers.
“We knew what the ramifications were if we didn’t win,” John Abraham said.
Of the Falcons’ eight wins, only two have come against teams with a winning record. Despite the important victory Sunday, the Falcons have been inconsistent this season, a situation not lost on the players.
“We can do it,” Michael Turner said of the importance of playing consistently well for all four quarters. “We have the players to do it. You just get tired of talking about it every week. At some point we’ve got to click and be hitting on all cylinders and play some good football for 60 minutes.”
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