The NFL can be quite unpredictable, with a team’s fortunes fluctuating from week to week. Take the Atlanta Falcons, for example. After a frustrating home loss to the Washington Commanders that left many concerned about their future, they now find themselves leading their division with a surge of momentum following a victory in Tampa.
The game against the Buccaneers wasn’t a work of art, but Atlanta largely dominated, with the only blip being three red zone turnovers. Aside from those isolated errors, it was their most well-rounded performance of the season.
Now, they face the Tennessee Titans, a team in desperate need of a positive turn of events. The Titans are coming off a bye week after suffering three losses in four games, and they’ll be without their starting quarterback, Ryan Tannehill.
Let’s examine the scenarios for the Falcons in Week 8, both if they win and if they lose:
**If the Falcons Win:**
– Atlanta will improve to a 5-3 record for the season, their best eight-game start since 2016 when they had an equal number of wins and losses.
– Securing a win against the Titans would likely hold special significance for Arthur Smith, who spent a decade with the Titans before becoming the head coach of the Falcons in 2021.
– Atlanta would solidify their first-place position in the division, creating a 1.5-game lead over the Buccaneers, especially since the Buccaneers lost in a Thursday Night Football game.
– If New Orleans loses to Indianapolis that weekend, the Falcons could extend their lead to 2.0 games over the Saints.
– Winning back-to-back road games for the first time since 2021 would be a significant achievement for the Falcons.
– They would maintain an edge in the NFC wildcard race, positioning themselves as a potential playoff contender.
**If the Falcons Lose:**
– A loss to the Titans following the impressive victory over the Buccaneers would be a significant setback, sapping the positive energy gained from the previous game.
– The Falcons would still hold a half-game lead over the Buccaneers but open the door for the New Orleans Saints to catch up and tie them for first place in the division.
– Regardless of the outcome, the Falcons would end Week 8 in first place in the NFC South due to their current tiebreaker advantage over the Saints based on their division record.
– Other teams like the Vikings, Rams, or Commanders could potentially catch up in the NFC wildcard race if they win, putting pressure on the Falcons.
– It’s worth noting that Washington already holds a tiebreaker over Atlanta. However, on the bright side, a loss to the Titans wouldn’t be a conference defeat.
– Atlanta’s struggles on the road would continue, with their away record dropping to 1-3. They have more road games than home games remaining in the season after this one.
