Falcons vs. Saints GAMEDAY Preview: Atlanta Can End New Orleans' Season

The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints will renew their rivalry with incredibly high stakes today.

The Atlanta Falcons can eliminate the New Orleans Saints from playoff contention with a win today.

Currently in first place for the division are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8), tied with the same record is New Orleans. In third place sits Atlanta with a 7-9 record, and finally, the Carolina Panthers hold the worst record in the NFL at 2-14. All four NFC South teams will be playing with one another to close out the season. If Tampa Bay wins, they clinch the division and secure a playoff spot.

The Atlanta Falcons will play against Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints this Sunday / USA Today Sports

As for the Falcons and Saints, if the Bucs lose, then the winner of their game takes the division’s crown.

Perhaps more important than making the playoffs is draft positioning, considering that Atlanta desperately needs a franchise quarterback and, at this moment, is projected to have the ninth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Winning the division would be cool for the Falcons, but becoming legitimate Super Bowl contenders should be the top priority, which the team won’t be doing this season, given its current roster construction.

The Next Lamar Jackson? Why Falcons Should Draft LSU QB Jayden Daniels

Speaking of the team’s current construction, one man who wants Atlanta to win more than anyone else is current head coach Arthur Smith.

After a solid start to open the season, the Falcons struggles have Smith in a tough on the hot seat. If Smith misses the playoffs, he may not ever get to see what his offense and team could’ve accomplished with a good quarterback. 

Nothing is guaranteed for Atlanta’s future entering this game, but the results of it could change the franchise’s trajectory for better or worse, making it the most crucial game of the season. 

Get your popcorn ready, because the Falcons season finale is must-watch television.