The Atlanta Falcons 24-15 victory over the Saints on Sunday was huge for a variety of reasons. The team essentially preserved their playoff hopes by reclaiming control of the NFC South, their only foreseen path to the postseason. As it sits right now, the team has a 54% chance of making the playoffs and can boost those odds to 65% with another victory over the spiraling New York Jets.
Atlanta gained control of the game, and their season, by reestablishing their identity on the ground behind a three-headed rushing attack. That formula will need to be repeated on a weekly basis if the team wants to continue to be in the playoff hunt. Desmond Ridder was his usual self: he made critical plays and also had two critical interceptions that cost the team points.
The importance of this season remains as large as it was at the beginning of camp back in the Summer. This was supposed to be the season the team went back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The franchise invested resources and draft picks in order to end the draught along with a solemn promise from Coach Arthur Smith and GM Terry Fontenot. Sunday was a step back in the right direction in doing so.
