Falcons out of playoff picture

For the third consecutive postseason, the Falcons will be at home for the NFL playoffs.

They were officially eliminated from the playoffs when the Minnesota Vikings defeated the New York Giants 49-17 Sunday night.

Earlier in the day, the Falcons did their part to keep their faint playoff hopes alive by upsetting the previously undefeated Carolina Panthers 20-13 at the Georgia Dome.

» Read more about the Falcons' outlook on myAJC

The best the Falcons could do is finish 9-7 in their first season under head coach Dan Quinn.

The Falcons last made the playoffs in 2012 and reached the NFC championship game. The were 4-12 in 2013 and 6-10 in 2014, which led to the dismissal of Mike Smith, the franchise’s winningest coach.