NW Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons, with a 6-5 record, remain at the top of the NFC South standings as they approach Week 13. Despite a two-game losing streak before their bye week, playoffs are still within reach for the team. They hold a crucial tiebreaker against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have a 76% chance of reaching the postseason according to The Upshot.

"Everything's still right in front of us," said Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after their Week 11 loss. The team needs to focus on several key areas to secure a playoff spot.

Improving the pass rush is essential for the Falcons. "You've still got to increase our pass rush. Nobody is setting excuses for those guys," Morris stated before Week 9. The team recorded three sacks against the Cowboys but has only managed ten sacks over eleven games, ranking last in the league.

Turnovers have been pivotal for Atlanta's defense, which initially excelled in creating takeaways. Safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback A.J. Terrell each have two interceptions, with Bates leading the NFL with four forced fumbles. However, they haven't recorded any takeaways in their last three games.

Red zone efficiency is another area needing improvement. Offensively, Atlanta ranks No. 22 in red zone conversion percentage at 53.1%. Defensively, they rank No. 21 with an allowed red zone conversion rate of 61.1%.

The offense has been strong overall, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Drake London lead with over 700 receiving yards each.

Eliminating self-inflicted wounds is crucial for success according to Morris: "If we can find ways to control those first two, the discipline and concentration of effort that it requires to score touchdowns, yourself, we can be a really good offense."