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Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons Are Still Headed to the Playoffs

By Kit Anderson

September 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the football against Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the football against Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will the 2016 Atlanta Falcons avoid a collapse and make the playoffs?

The Atlanta Falcons lost another game late to a resilient Chiefs team that won despite piling up penalty yards and handing the Falcons first downs. With the latest lost to the Chiefs, fans are becoming concerned if this roster is truly capable of making the playoffs?

As of this moment the Falcons are in the playoffs despite sitting in a division tie with the Tampa Bay Bucs. The Falcons have notoriously collapsed in seasons past either in the first round of the playoffs or at the end of the season missing the playoffs all together. Why should fans believe that will not happen in the Falcon’s four remaining games.

The first reason is simply the ease of the Falcons next two games. While there is no such thing as an easy win an the NFL (unless your playing the Browns) the next two games should be wins for Atlanta they will play the Rams and San Francisco 49er’s the next two weeks and should be able to pull out both games leaving them at 9-5 on the season with two weeks left to go.

The final two games will be against the division rival Panthers and Saints. While neither of these games will be easy with the Falcons explosive offense and the defensive problems that both the Panthers and Saints have the Falcons should pull out at least one of these games leaving them with a 10-6 record on the season which should be enough to sneak them into the playoffs with either a division win or a wildcard spot.

The second reason that Falcon’s fans should trust this team is the fact that Matt Ryan has the offense operating at a level that they haven’t been since Ryan has taken over as quarterback. That is not to say there has not been some typical Matt Ryan mistakes along the way (Game winning pick to Eric Berry) but he is still playing at a level higher than he has in any seasons in past always keeping his team in games and feeding all offensive players not just Julio Jones.

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There is no arguing that the defense is one of the worst in the league and in the and will be the Falcons downfall come playoff time. For now though the focus shifts on making it to the playoffs for the first time in several years the Falcons will accomplish that goal.

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