Are Atlanta Falcons' Playoff Chances Dead?

When the Atlanta Falcons return from the bye week against the New Orleans Saints, is it the team's last chance at making a playoff run?

The Atlanta Falcons are on a bye week, but sitting at 4-6, does the team even have a chance at making the playoffs when it comes back in Week 12?

Well, the simple answer is that it won’t be easy. In the middle of a three-game losing streak, the team has dug itself into a hole.

Atlanta’s 40 percent win percentage currently gives them the ninth-best odds to win the No. 1 overall pick but only a 25 percent chance at making the playoffs and a 21 percent chance at winning the NFC South, according to ESPN.

After being atop the division just a few weeks ago, the Falcons imploded, significantly lowering the team’s chance at finishing No. 1 in what’s regarded as the weakest division in the NFL.

Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Sitting at 5-5, the New Orleans Saints are the only NFL team leading its division without being over 500. It seems that for Atlanta to make the playoffs, it will have to come through the divisional crown, considering that the team holds the tenth-best odds of making it as a wildcard, according to Bleacher Report.

For the Falcons to have any chance at winning the division, it must beat the Saints fresh out of the bye. Looking ahead to the Week 12 contest, New Orleans is currently favored with roughly a 55 percent chance to win that game despite having to play in Atlanta according to ESPN.

Already facing a steep climb back in order to crack the postseason this year, the Falcons must make a statement by winning from the get-go after the bye week against the current divisional leader, or else this season looks like it will have been too middle of the pack to land a top tier quarterback like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the draft or make the playoffs with its young core.

Week 12 could be the most crucial week of Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith’s career as he attempts to solidify his position for the future despite currently being in the hot seat.