Falcons still alive in NFC South with seven games left to play

The Atlanta Falcons have flirted with a winning record multiple times this season, but on each occasion, they have fumbled the opportunity away. The team is now two games under .500 with a 4-6 record after ten games.

Despite the Falcons’ shortcomings, a playoff berth is within reach. A wild-card spot in the NFC is still a possibility, although the team’s best shot at making the postseason is to win the division.

The NFC South is so bad this year that only the Buccaneers currently have a positive point differential — which is just three points. Tampa Bay leads the division with a 5-5 record entering Week 11. The Panthers and Saints each have 3-7 records, but they are only two games out of first place.

1. Buccaneers: 5-5
2. Falcons: 4-6
3. Panthers: 3-7
4. Saints: 3-7

The Falcons aren’t in a bad spot, however, their 1-3 divisional record could come back to haunt them if they can’t get wins in their two remaining NFC South games against the Saints and Buccaneers.

Atlanta takes on New Orleans in Week 15, and then Tampa Bay in Week 18 to close out the season. Before that, though, the team must take care of business against Chicago in Week 11.