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.
