'It Doesn't Hurt!' Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Reacts to Playoff Standings; Can Atlanta Win 3 Straight?

The Falcons will host the Colts with Taylor Heinicke set to start at quarterback after Desmond Ridder was benched for the second time this season.

The Atlanta Falcons, by virtue of the New Orleans Saints' loss at the Rams on "Thursday Night Football," have been provided with some mathematical good news. 

At the same time, in terms of reality, the news might not be "good" at all.

“It certainly doesn’t hurt you,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said in an understatement about the Los Angeles helping out with a win over the Saints. “But our focus is nothing matters if we don’t beat Indianapolis.”

That much is very true. After two straight losses, the Falcons are 6-8. This doesn't "feel" like a playoff team right now. Rather, it "feels" like Smith's job should be on the line.

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But there is obviously an organization-wide understanding that Week 16 Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts simply has to result in a victory. ... or a whole bunch of "or else's" may be in this franchise's future.

Atlanta will host the Colts with Taylor Heinicke set to start at quarterback after Desmond Ridder was benched yet again.

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There is a likelihood that for the Falcons to make the postseason, it'll take winning the NFC South by running the table with three straight Falcons wins over the Colts, then the Chicago Bears, and then the rival Saints.

Is there any reason to believe that Smith can guide this Atlanta team to three consecutive wins? Well, that's not something he's achieved in his three Falcons seasons.

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But it starts, really, with doing it once. Just once. On Sunday against the 8-6 Colts, winners of five of their past six and surprisingly in position to win the AFC South title.

“Winning," Falcons vet Bud Dupree said of the goal here. "And letting everybody know that we still can win."

Everybody, including maybe the Falcons themselves.