In the NFC South race, the Falcons (6-4) are four games behind the streaking Carolina Panthers (10-0) with six games to play.

The Panthers appear headed for a three-peat in the NFC South unless they stumble miserably down the stretch.

Despite going 1-4 over their past five games, the Falcons are in control of their own destiny in the wildcard race at 6-4. They have a game lead over Tampa Bay (5-5) and Seattle (5-5) for the last wildcard berth. Minnesota and Green Bay of the NFC North are 7-3.

There are a host of teams at 4-6 on wildcard life-support in the Rams, Saints, Bears, Eagles and Washington. Longshot Dallas is at 3-7 after getting quarterback Tony Romo back from injury.

If the playoffs started today, the Panthers and Arizona would have byes as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from the NFC.

The Falcons, as the sixth seed, would open the playoffs on the road against Green Bay, the No. 3 seed.

The Vikings, the fifth seed, would play at the New York Giants, the fourth seed.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (left) attempts a pass during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
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Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com