They are the first-place Falcons again.
The Falcons are the leaders in the NFC South and in playoff position following Sunday’s games. The Falcons moved to 8-7 with a 34-7 win over the Giants at home. The Buccaneers fell to 8-7 with a 26-24 loss to the Cowboys on the road Sunday night. The Falcons control their own playoff destiny.
The Falcons have the advantage with two head-to-head wins over the Buccaneers and so have the division lead with two games to play.
The Falcons once easily were in control of the division at 6-3, including the two wins over the Buccaneers. However, they lost four straight games to fall to second place before wins over the Raiders and Giants. The Buccaneers had their four-game winning streak snapped with the loss to the Cowboys.
It will all come down to the final two weeks.
The Falcons play at the Commanders (10-5) on Sunday Night Football this week and end the season by hosting the Panthers (4-11).
The Buccaneers end the season with two home games, against the Panthers this week and against the Saints (5-9).
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
