The Atlanta Falcons have discovered themselves able they haven’t been shortly with regards to the playoff race this deep into the season: The driving force’s seat.
After the bye, the Falcons are holding a slim, one-game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a big tiebreaker that provides them extra cushion after sweeping them earlier this season. Nonetheless, the Bucs have an vital facet going for them down the stretch: Their schedule is kind of straightforward.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Remaining Schedule
Week 13: @ Carolina Panthers
Week 14: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 15: @ Los Angeles Chargers
Week 16: @ Dallas Cowboys
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 18: vs. New Orleans Sants
Ending the season with a schedule that includes two Panthers video games, a Desmond Ridder-led Raiders staff, and regardless of the Cowboys are presently is an effective way to get your self again into the playoffs. If the Falcons need to stave off a Bucs cost for a fourth-straight division title, they should traverse a again half of the schedule that appears like a way more rickety bridge to cross now that we’ve come to it.
Atlanta Falcons Remaining Schedule
Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 14: @ Minnesota Vikings
Week 15: @ Las Vegas Raiders (MNF)
Week 16: vs. New York Giants
Week 17: @ Washington Commanders
Week 18: vs. Carolina Panthers
On the floor, this stretch nonetheless feels very winnable. The Raiders, Giants and Panthers all really feel like video games this Falcons staff ought to nonetheless win. The place Atlanta has to search out that further gear is towards groups just like the tremendously improved Chargers beneath Jim Harbaugh, the dangerously environment friendly Minnesota Vikings, and the surprisingly explosive Washington Commanders.
Even within the video games that Atlanta ought to take pretty handily, there are particular models from every staff that hold me up at night time. Every staff has at the least one troubling facet that might derail Atlanta’s bid for his or her first division crown since 2016.
So, I made a decision to confront every troubling facet head-on and checklist them out, simply to see if Atlanta may someway discover a solution earlier than the remainder of this promising season slips by means of their grasp.
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert is a Cyborg
The Los Angeles Chargers have a cyborg at quarterback in Justin Herbert, and what’s worse is that he’s studying. Herbert is studying how one can have enjoyable enjoying the sport of soccer once more, and a cushty Herbert looks like a very scary sight, particularly for a protection as porous as Atlanta’s.
One of many arguments towards this may very well be Los Angeles’ lack of weaponry at Herbert’s disposal. Nonetheless, the Falcons don’t get strain on quarterbacks, and that’s been a continuing for so long as Falcons followers can keep in mind. That would negate the shaky state of Herbert’s receiving choices.
In accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats, Herbert is 2nd within the NFL in passer ranking (115.4) when not pressured, solely behind MVP-favorite Lamar Jackson. Barring a miracle, the Falcons aren’t going to get a lot strain on Herbert on this go-around both, and that might make for yet one more lengthy day for the Falcons devoted.
Minnesota Vikings: Brian Flores’ Bells and Whistles
Brian Flores had a whole offseason to study what makes Kirk Cousins tick. What he likes to do, what he doesn’t prefer to see out of a protection, and many others. Giving a inventive thoughts like Flores that a lot info is a harmful scenario.
The Vikings disguise their intentions, each within the pass-rush division and protection, extra regularly than any staff within the NFL. The Falcons’ offensive line has been one of many extra stout within the NFL, nevertheless, having a stationary quarterback like Cousins towards the assorted blitz combos that Flores can deploy looks like a doable recipe for catastrophe.
Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby continues to be right here
That is my acknowledgment of the potential Desmond Ridder facet of this recreation. That is all you get.
Coming into this season, one of many facets to get enthusiastic about with this Raiders staff was the protection and what it will seem like beneath Antonio Pierce. Whereas even that facet of the staff has underwhelmed (22nd in EPA/play allowed and defensive success price), Maxx Crosby has nonetheless been among the finest pass-rushers within the league, rating 13th in complete pressures.
Some individuals will ask why not make the most of this to focus on the unbelievable season that Brock Bowes is having, to which I’ll direct you to the primary few sentences of this part.
Robust to dam Maxx Crosby in run recreation with a TE so they carry in a sixth OL. Does not matter, Crosby occasions up snap and shoots by means of back-side C hole for TFL. Good job setting the sting play-side by Tre’von Moehrig.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/uMt69g0yOS
— Ryan Holmes (@Rholm22) November 25, 2024
New York Giants: Piping Scorching Cross Rush
It’s nearly Thanksgiving and the Giants haven’t given their followers a lot to be glad about this season.
The largest present they might have given their followers this vacation season is to forcefully finish the Daniel Jones period, however even that wasn’t sufficient to maintain their number-one receiver, rookie Malik Nabers, pleased.
Regardless of the dysfunction on that facet of the ball, the Giants have one of many extra productive cross rushes within the league, rating fourth with 36 sacks on the 12 months. New York’s entrance, led by the at all times harmful Brian Burns, may trigger some complications for the Falcons offensive line in the event that they aren’t cautious.
Washington Commanders: Scary Terry
Kliff Kingsbury’s capability to get essentially the most out of this Washington Commanders offense is a gorgeous factor to see, particularly after the way it felt after his tenure in Arizona ended. Now, he’s discovered an explosive quarterback in rookie Jayden Daniels to construct the offense round.
Much more, we now have seen one of the best model of the entire weapons on this Commanders offense, together with the official arrival of Terry McLaurin into the highest receiver dialog.
McLaurin’s 823 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns rank 4th and threerd amongst receivers, respectively, and he has been making it occur for this Commanders offense nevertheless and every time doable.
In accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats, McLaurin is 2nd within the NFL in receptions over anticipated (+9.5) behind solely Amon-Ra St. Brown. On condition that the Falcons enable the fourth-most EPA/cross, McLaurin may make life hell for this Falcons secondary, authoring the large play the Falcons try to keep away from.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Younger?
Effectively, I assume Bryce Younger discovered his groove…
Younger had perhaps one of the best recreation of his profession towards the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, going 21-of-35 for 263 yards and a landing. He was scrambling outdoors the pocket, making fast choices, getting the ball out rapidly.
Merely put, the child regarded good.
Are there nonetheless loads of areas of enchancment?
Completely, however him getting comfy simply in time to doubtlessly spoil Atlanta’s bid for an NFC South crown? Don’t write it off, and as an alternative hope he’s at his greatest in two video games towards Tampa Bay down the stretch.
