New Statistic Explains Atlanta Falcons' Frustrating Season

A major contributor to the Atlanta Falcons' struggles this season has been their inability to take care of teams with losing records.

Are the Atlanta Falcons a playoff-worthy team? 

It may be a question that many are asking as Sunday's regular-season finale versus the New Orleans Saints quickly approaches for the Falcons in what will be a must-win situation for Atlanta. 

Putting aside the fact that the Falcons have already beaten the Saints once when the two teams met back in Week 12, an interesting statistic suggests that Atlanta should be favored to win.

"Such a strange season for the Falcons," Fox Sports' Greg Auman wrote on Twitter Tuesday. "They're 2-6 this year against teams that currently have losing records, and 5-3 against teams currently .500 or better. They have four losses to teams with 5 wins or less. Bucs & Saints have no such losses, Panthers (at 2-14) have just one."

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) makes a tackle on Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) during the first half at Soldier Field

Those losses to teams with a below .500 record could end up costing the Falcons a spot in the playoffs. The most recent disappointing losses came on Sunday as the Chicago Bears dismantled the Falcons 37-17 despite the snowy conditions at Soldier Field. 

It is a very puzzling statistic as the Falcons have failed to beat the teams they should but have shown up against tougher competition. This explains part of the frustration for fans who, in recent weeks, have begun calling for the jobs of coach Arthur Smith and even general manager Terry Fontenot. 

According to preseason expectations that many cast upon the Falcons, this season has been a continuation of the last two years rather than the start of something new, which many believed would see them make the postseason. 

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While their playoff hopes are not gone, as even at 7-9, the Falcons still have a chance to clinch their spot, but they also need help elsewhere to do it. 

Sunday's game between the Falcons and Saints will kick off at 1 p.m. EST inside Caesars Superdome.