ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 15: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a 6-yard touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Georgia Dome on December 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
After the 41-14 “thrashing” of the Jacksonville Jaguars on last Thursday night, the Falcons appear to be peaking just at the right time They have put themselves in a great position to make the playoffs barring a major collapse or catastrophe. This game was not the test case to see if the ”Birds” are Super Bowl contenders but this is still the National Football League where all wins are quality. The Falcons are likely a 5th or 6th seed in playoffs, with an outside shot of repeating as NFC South Champs but they must win at least one of their last 2 games to feel secure. The defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers were in a similar position last season, barely getting into the tournament but doing the ultimate damage when they got the opportunity. The Falcons have in place a team that can follow in the Packers footsteps, however they must do the following;
1. Remain injury free. They are not deep enough in certain positions to afford them.
2. Pass rush must show up. Hopefully John Abraham’s 3.5.sacks against Jacksonville was a sign of things to come.
3. Offense must remain balanced. You must run the ball in this league for sustained excellence and the Falcons can be one of the most balanced in the league with their great skill position players.
4. Brent Grimes must return to form. Chris Owens and Dominique Franks have provided a ”band-aid” for that spot and have gotten good experience but Brent Grimes is your Pro Bowl corner.
5. Speaking of stopping the bleeding…the Falcons must sure up the offensive line or a quick trip will not just be a gas station.
If all of these things followed along with a little luck there should be no reason why this Falcons Team should not make a deep playoff run.
The Challenge Flag 