The Atlanta Falcons are holding on to a thread of hope regarding their playoff chances, but their perception in the pecking order of the National Football League suffered this week after a 37-17 loss to the Chicago Bears.
According to the latest list of NFL power rankings released by ESPN, the Falcons fell two spots this week to No. 24 as their playoff hopes dwindled down to their final gasps entering Week 18. You can view the entire list here , one that highlights offseason contracts to watch for each franchise, including cornerback A.J. Terrell for Atlanta.
The Falcons are currently the lowest seed in the NFC with still-surviving playoff hopes, according to NFL.com. As of this writing, Atlanta holds a 13 percent chance of making the postseason, odds that would drop to less than 1 percent should they lose this week against the New Orleans Saints. With a win in NOLA, the Falcons' odds of making the playoffs would improve to 32 percent.
Even with a 7-9 record, the Falcons are not out of the running for an NFC South title, although they will need some help this week. Should Atlanta beat the Saints, it would also need the Carolina Panthers to pick up a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Otherwise, the Falcons will watch the postseason from their living rooms.
Kickoff on Sunday between the Falcons and Saints is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on CBS.
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