The Atlanta Falcons could be considered the biggest laughing stock in the NFL – behind the Cleveland Browns, of course. The Falcons blew a 28-3 lead in their Super Bowl overtime loss to the New England Patriots. But at least they made it to the Super Bowl last season. In 2017, however, the Atlanta Falcons won’t make the 2017-18 postseason. Here is why.
Why Atlanta Falcons Will Miss 2017-18 Postseason
Many are considering the Falcons to be favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, MN on Feb. 8, 2018. Those who believe the Falcons will go to back-to-back Super Bowls should look back at what the Falcons have done the last several years before appearing in the Super Bowl last season.
Before last season the last time Atlanta made the postseason was in 2012. They then missed the playoffs three straight years after that. For all of three of those seasons the Falcons had quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones, their two stars, on the team.
Despite what Atlanta accomplished last season and Ryan and Jones still being on the roster, there is a good chance they miss the playoffs this season based on what they’ve done the last five seasons. They might not even win their division.
NFC (Going Down) South
The NFC South might be considered the second worst divison in the NFL behind the AFC South. Atlanta won the division last season by finishing two games better than the second place team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay looks like a much better team going into the 2017 season, even before the draft. They have a rising quarterback star in Jameis Winston and two star receivers in Mike Evans and the recently acquired DeSean Jackson.
Tampa Bay looks like a team that is capable of winning the division. But, luckily for Atlanta, even if the Bucs take the division crown, the Falcons would most likely finish second in the division. The Carolina Panthers are on the decline and the New Orleans Saints are nowhere near a playoff team, despite having Adrian Peterson, Drew Brees and Ted Ginn, Jr.
Atlanta’s first problem is they probably won’t win the division. Tampa will take the NFC South and host a wild card game. Atlanta would then have to try to secure a wild card spot. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they will earn that, either.
Wild, Wild Wild Card Race
Only two wild card spots are available to non-division winners in each conference. Anyone who watches football knows that. The Falcons will have some competition for a wild card spot if they fail to win the NFC South. Most of that competition comes from the NFC East.
All four teams look like potential playoff teams right now. The Dallas Cowboys need to fix up their defense and they could be back in the postseason. Kirk Cousins makes the Washington Redskins a playoff contender. The Philadelphia Eagles added star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to their team. With Carson Wentz throwing to him, as opposed to Jay Cutler, Jeffery’s already impressive numbers should improve and he could help the Eagles improve from last season. The New York Giants are a running back away from possibly making a serious Super Bowl run, as well.
There’s also competition in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are always neck and neck at the top of the division, at least recently. And the team that finished in second place usually makes the playoffs. Depending on if the Chicago Bears draft a new quarterback, they could also be an improved team.
The Falcons are a good team. No one can deny that. Unfortunately, luck is not on their side and it’s more likely than not they will miss the postseason this season.
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