The Atlanta Falcons will spend Christmas Day as the leader of the NFC South after defeating the New York Giants and seeing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
With two games remaining, the Falcons are one step closer to hosting a playoff game, something they haven’t done since the 2016 season. With Atlanta’s win today, the Saints are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Updated NFC South Standings
| Pos | Team | Record | Div Record | Games Back | Next Opponent |
| 1 | Falcons | 8-7 | 4-1 | – | @ Commanders |
| 2 | Buccaneers | 8-7 | 2-2 | – | vs Panthers |
| 3 | Saints | 5-9* | 2-3 | 3 | vs Raiders |
| 4 | Panthers | 4-11 | 1-3 | 4 | @ Buccaneers |
* = Saints play on Monday night
If the Buccaneers lose to the Panthers in Week 17, the Falcons would have a chance to clinch the NFC South with a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday night. This would end one of the league’s longest active playoff drought.
The Panthers played spoiler to the Cardinals on Sunday. Who’s to say they can’t do it again against an NFC South rival in Week 17?
