ATLANTA — The Falcons have a winning streak going - two whole games!
After a solid 29-3 victory in Charlotte on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, fans are starting to get a little bit more comfortable with the Dirty Birds again. Just a little though.
Don't get any strange ideas about playoffs though.
As strong as the NFC looks this season, the idea of thinking about the playoffs this year -- even if the team runs the table through the rest of the season -- is pretty remote.
Looking at the other teams in the NFC South: The Saints still lead the division at 8-2 and right now hold the number three seed in the NFC behind the 49ers and Packers.
After Sunday's game, the Panthers are at 5-5 and technically hold the number 9 seed, just ahead of the Chicago Bears for, in line for the second Wild Card slot.
As of today, the Falcons and the Bucs both have a 3-7 record. The Falcons have the number 13 and the Bucs have the number 14 seed in the NFC right now.
Here's what the national media is saying about the Falcons after Sunday's victory.
- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hits top 10 in all time NFL pass yards - Vaughn McClure, ESPN
- Dan Quinn has Falcons back on track after second straight dominant win as hot seat begins to cool - Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports
- Falcons no longer look like pushovers - Football Night in America, NBC Sports
- Greg Olsen calls out locker room after home loss to Falcons - Caio Miari, The Score
- If Panthers can't find a cohesive O-line, Kyle Allen will be picked apart - Alaina Getzenberg, Charlotte Observer
- In disappointing season for Panthers, their loss to Falcons was 'a comedy of terrible' - Luke Decock, Charlotte Observer
- Falcons suddenly dominant defense ignites conversation - Will McFadden, AtlantaFalcons.com
Even after all of that, only one team has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs at this point -- the winless Cincinnati Bengals.
Tampa Bay comes to Atlanta this Sunday. Right now, the Falcons are the early favorite to win, but as we've learned, you can't count your chickens -- or the Falcons -- before they hatch.
Then, comes the Thanksgiving night feast with the rematch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the division leading Saints on NBC and 11Alive.
One thing is for sure, we can definitely expect some definite changes in the standings over the next couple of weeks.
Be back here next Monday.
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