Falcons’ game against Eagles shaping up as must-win
Matt Ryan lost to one of his idols, Donovan McNabb, last season in Philadelphia. This time, he'll probably have to beat him for the Falcons to make the playoffs (Curtis Compton/AJC).
Two months ago, there was great anticipation for the Falcons-Philadelphia game Dec. 6. Why? Because it would be Michael Vick’s return to Atlanta.
There should still be great anticipation for the Falcons-Philadelphia game. Why? Because if the Falcons don’t win that night, they may not make the playoffs.
Loading ...Having lost four out of their last five games and dropping to 5-5, the Falcons logically are out of the NFC South race. They probably have to go at least 4-2 (maybe 5-1) in the final six games to win an NFC wild card spot. Strange things happen in the NFL. But the Falcons have made things difficult on themselves because they’ve already lost four NFC games and head-to-head meetings with the New York Giants (6-4) and Dallas Cowboys (7-3, a wild card competitor if they don’t win the NFC East). Losing to the Eagles (6-4) would significantly diminish chances of winning any tiebreaker scenarios.
In short, the Falcons haven’t left themselves any wiggle room. They still have at least three easily winnable games (two vs. Tampa Bay, one vs. Buffalo) and another one against the sliding New York Jets. But winning a playoff spot outright will be difficult.
As a follow up to last week, here’s another breakdown of how things look.
Seven for the wild cards
♦ 1. Philadelphia (6-4, 5-2): That was a big win for the Eagles over Chicago Sunday night because it raised their NFC record to 5-2, best among the wild card candidates. The Eagles have an easy game next week (Washington), then play the Falcons, Giants, 49ers, Broncos and Cowboys. But they’re still missing running back Brian Westbrook, whose status for the rest of the season is uncertain because of two concussions in a span of three weeks.
♦ 2. Green Bay (6-4 overall, 5-3 in NFC): It’s hard to see the Packers missing the playoffs. They have a better overall and conference record than the Falcons and four of the next five games are against the Lions (2-8), Ravens (5-5), Bears (4-5) and Seahawks (3-7).
♦ 3. N.Y. Giants (6-4, 4-3): They hold two tiebreaker edges over the Falcons (conference, head to head), but the schedule the next three weeks is rugged: at Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia.
♦ 4. Falcons (5-5, 4-4): They’re 1-4 since a 4-1 start. That’s the wrong kind of turnaround. In addition to the poor conference record, they’re also only 1-5 on the road, but remaining road games against the N.Y. Jets and Tampa Bay both are winnable.
♦ 5. San Francisco (4-6, 4-3): The 49ers started the season 3-1 but are 1-5 since, and the slide started with a loss to the Falcons. But the next two games are against Jacksonville and Seattle, so they could hang around a while.
♦ 6. Carolina (4-6, 4-4): The Falcons have split two games with the Panthers. Carolina lost to Miami four days after beating the Falcons and could go 2-4 with this remaining schedule: at N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay, at New England, Minnesota, at N.Y. Giants, New Orleans.
♦ 7. Chicago (4-6, 2-5): The Falcons actually hold two tiebreaker edges (conference, head to head) over the Bears. But at this point Chicago doesn’t look like a competitor, especially with a remaining schedule that includes two games against Minnesota and one against Green Bay.
So there’s this week’s update. How confident are you of the Falcons’ chances? I’ve also put up a poll.
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173 comments Add your comment
Sage of Blueland
November 25th, 2009
3:14 pm
Ryan = Montana.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 25th, 2009
3:50 pm
Sage of Blueland
November 25th, 2009
3:14 pm
Ryan = Montana
“Sage I think you may be right” so I can hardly wait for one of those 3 Super Bowl trophies. Otherwise it’s only hype and “HOPE”.
Iceman
November 25th, 2009
4:54 pm
They’re ALL must wins from here on out.
Ryan
November 25th, 2009
7:03 pm
This is Dimitroff’s fault for letting Foxworthy go last year. He was a shut down db but we didn’t wanna spend the money. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be cheap. And lets not praise Matty Ice too much. He done cost us some games to. Stop throwing the ball away all the time when you don’t have anyone open. Its alright to tuck it and run too!!
TMoney
November 25th, 2009
9:48 pm
I just found this article on Bleacher Report from before the season ranking NFL CBs:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/215881-player-profiling-corner-back-rankings/show_full
“32. Chris Houston (ATL)
“I don’t understand why people don’t like Chris Houston. He is a tough, tall, fast and smart corner who gives little separation between himself and the receiver.
“I would actually trust Houston with one-on-one coverage over many corners listed above. He runs well with receivers and does a good job of never loosing them.
“His fundamentals and awareness continue to improve each year.
“Houston’s weakness is that he never gets his head around in time to actually see and make a play on the ball. I think Houston will learn that as time goes on; and with an improving Falcon team and defensive line, Houston’s time to shine might be sooner than expected.”
I think it’s safe to say that prediction was wrong.
John
November 26th, 2009
5:38 am
The thing that may prevent the Falcons from making the playoffs is the lack of defensive backs that don’t use the proper techniques when playing the pass. IF TD and MS are listening the upcoming draft should be dedicated to 1. Defensive back, 2. Defensive linemane, 3. Running back.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 26th, 2009
10:07 am
The Falcons are respected so low, that the horrible bucks are 56 percent favorites if they have zero turnovers………..
http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/nfl/nflpreview?gameId=291129001
Man even with the 2nd coming of Peyton that’s gotta suck
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 26th, 2009
10:09 am
Remember guys, the great Dimitroff threw away a 2nd round pick for the aging future hall of famer, so good luck grabbing the early picks.
Brilliant I tell you
lamac66
November 26th, 2009
10:36 pm
I love the overtime rules as is. Football is a three component game. Offense, defense and specal teams. You must be solid at all three to be succesful. If I stop the offense in overtime, I get the ball back to MY offense. The overtime rule is fine.
lamac66
November 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
Tampa looking to surge.
Henry
November 27th, 2009
4:18 am
Note to Schultz – There’s no such thing as an easily winnable game in the NFL. That kind of thinking will get you beat.
Jsmuga
November 27th, 2009
6:54 am
The Carolina loss will keep the Falcons out of the playoffs in my opinion……
Doyle Hargraves
November 27th, 2009
7:12 pm
I am going on record that if Chris Owens becomes our starting CB, he is going to look like the return of Charles Dimry and we will go 3-3 at best. Why in the hayell this organization doesn’t value the CB position is BEYOND me. You don’t need to have the best of the best out there, but you need serviceable people. Foxworth is the only decent CB we have had on the field in the last 2 years. I realize he was expensive in the offseason, but wouldn’t you pay just about anything to have him now?
And is Morten Andersen still kicking balls at the local high school? Well then sign a$$ again dammit! He can’t be any less clutch than E-Left.
LongLYFF
virgil leonard
November 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
so from what your saying if we beat the eagles and they turn around and lose to the Giants, Cowboys and Broncos we’re in the playoffs? Me, personally, I think it will the Falcons and Green Bay left standing in the wild card race. These last weeks of the season are shaping up to be nail biter
Falconforlife
November 28th, 2009
8:13 am
Let’s not forget how the NFL did not help us playing four teams coming off there bye weeks. Its got to be an advantage to come off your bye week playing at home ,(Dallas,N.Y.). Remember how good we looked coming off our bye week and we had to travel. The NFL needs to have the whole division, ( NFC SOUTH) off the same week and the next week you play within your division. They should do this through out the league.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 28th, 2009
12:18 pm
virgil leonard
November 27th, 2009
10:10 pm
so from what your saying if we beat the eagles and they turn around and lose to the Giants, Cowboys and Broncos we’re in the playoffs? Me, personally, I think it will the Falcons and Green Bay left standing in the wild card race. These last weeks of the season are shaping up to be nail biter
“And the Easter Bunny, Little Bo Peep & Saint Nicks” will come to your house for dinner
The only way the Falcons make the playoffs is if they buy tickets. They will finish no higher than 3rd in the division.
Even Carolina who is 1 game behind them, owns the tie breaker.
Bad News
November 28th, 2009
12:21 pm
Falconforlife
November 28th, 2009
8:13 am
Let’s not forget how the NFL did not help us playing four teams coming off there bye weeks. Its got to be an advantage to come off your bye week playing at home ,(Dallas,N.Y.). Remember how good we looked coming off our bye week and we had to travel. The NFL needs to have the whole division, ( NFC SOUTH) off the same week and the next week you play within your division. They should do this through out the league.
“And the NFL should never put on a schedule with”
Detroit
Kansas City
Oakland
St. Louis
Stop your whining, “YOU” people have the 2nd coming of Peyton, surely he can beat any team
Eric C.
November 28th, 2009
2:07 pm
Ha…remember the 10-0 Jets in 1986??? They finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs. Just a random thought for Saints fans.
Unfortunately of course, the Falcons started 4-0 that year but finished 7-8-1 including a loss to the miserable winless Colts.
Falconforlife
November 29th, 2009
9:09 am
Lot of football still to be played, we’ll see what happens.
hiramsaint
November 29th, 2009
11:27 am
eric c………… the saints ‘aint the jets and you ‘aint no more a sports columnist than schultzy is.
Scott
November 29th, 2009
4:56 pm
The falcons doesn’t have what it take to make it to the play off , so if anyone had any hope of them making it this years ,the terrible game they played today should confirm that .Get rid of Abraham and recruit a defense that can stop a 1n 9 team like the Buc ’s .The falcons is missing that defensive team leader .
MARTIN
November 29th, 2009
5:05 pm
I hate to see what’s going to happen next week when the turd birds plays the eagles. I mean that sorry falcons team had a hard time with the 1-9 tampa bucks. You guys are lucky if you make it to the playoff’s. The turd birds will be one and done.
Fair and Balanced
November 29th, 2009
7:39 pm
I’m guessing oh……….a week’s straight worth of Vick-themed blogs…oh yeah, throw in something about the Eagles too, ok?? LOL