After watching the Monday Night Football game between the Falcons and Saints, the general consensus was that these two teams were on seemingly different trajectories. However, reports of the demise of the Falcons’ season were premature. Falcon fans should not dismiss the possibilities for this team. 
               
               During the pre-season, many insiders and analysts projected the Falcons to be a divisional winner. Who could argue? They were an extremely appealing pick with rookie sensation Matt Ryan, Roddy White who had a career season, and the addition of future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. However, few took into account because the Falcons experienced such a high level of success last season; their strength of schedule would be adjusted accordingly. As a result, the Falcons are victims of their own success. But that is by design as the NFL wants parity. Despite the backlash, the Falcons are precisely where they are supposed to be: competitive and still playoff bound. Yes, the NFC Southern division was conceded to the Saints on Monday. Yet, although the Falcons lost, it was the most contested game the Saints have played this season. The Falcons with their 25th ranked defense were a few plays away from upsetting the NFL’s most explosive offense at home. If the Falcons can replicate that effort, they will undoubtedly secure a playoff berth.

 

               Also upon further examination of the competition for the wildcard, the prospects look promising. Atlanta holds the tie-breaker over San Francisco and Chicago. “Mr. October” Tony Romo and the Cowboys are due for another late season implosion. Carolina cannot win without a quarterback. Thus, the Falcons should control their own destiny, when they face other wildcard contenders in the Eagles and Giants. The Falcons will have a say as to what the playoff picture will be at the end of the season. The last few games in the loss column are irrelevant. Making the post-season is the priority not the regular season rankings. Once the playoffs commence each team’s record resets to 0-0. It is better to struggle early in the season and peak late. Recent history has the Cardinals, Steelers, and Giants advancing to the Super Bowl despite mediocre mid-season performances. Yet, each team managed to win crucial road games despite having the “underdog” label because they had dealt with adversity previously in the season. Perhaps the loss to the Saints will be a blessing in disguise. At least the Falcons now know that they belong and can contend with the best in the league.