The AtlantaFalcons took care of businessthis past Thursday, winning 35-14 against the Green Bay Packers and being able to sit back over the weekend and watch the rest of the NFC South. The rest of the division didn't let the Falcons down, going 0-3 and putting together one of the worst collective divisional efforts you'll watch any Sunday this season. It included a hot Carolina offense completely collapsing against the Cleveland Browns and losing to the ghost of Deshaun Watson.
New Orleans was beaten by a familiar face as former Atlanta quarterback and current Raider Kirk Cousins put on a clinic offensively and pushed the Raiders to a 3-0 start. This is the one downside of this past weekend's results, as it serves as a reminder that the Falcons could've enjoyed a far better start to the 2026 season.
Regardless, this was far from the only thing to go Atlanta's way, as the Tampa Bay Bucs not only lost Baker Mayfield but are sitting winless at the bottom of the division. Everything remains in front of the Falcons in an important stretch as they get ready to take on the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens in featured games.
No question, this is going to be a defining stretch, with the South now very much in Atlanta's grasp, as it seems no one wants to take advantage of a miserable division. Penix making such a drastic difference while the rest of the division is falling apart makes a clear case for why Atlanta can find a way to win the division.
Falcons Have Clear Chance to take Control of NFC South as Miserable Division is Falling Apart
Looking at the Week 4 schedule, it very quickly becomes undeniable that this trend could continue, and the Falcons stealing a win against the Saints could put them in the driver's seat when it comes to setting the pace for the rest of the division. With this in mind, the past week has completely reversed how Atlanta fans are feeling when it comes to a roster with every reason to believe the division is now within their grasp.
Finding a way to win the division would be the first time that the Falcons have made the playoffs since the 2017 season, when Matt Ryan and Julio Jones were still the motor of the Falcon offense. No question, fans are long overdue for a winning season.
With this in mind, fans are going into this week's matchup excited and with a sense of belief that the franchise can go from an expected doormat to a clear division contender.
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