Monday Night Football: Falcons at Saints

This year, the only difference is that Atlanta has already qualified for at least a wildcard, and the Packers have won those close games that eluded them for much of last year so that 13-3 this year isn’t enough for the #1 seed. This year, it was Atlanta that lost a difficult overtime contest at home to the Saints, and now need to win tonight to come back and have a chance to win the division.

For New Orleans, it is pretty simple, win out and hope that San Francisco loses somehow next week at St. Louis to get the division and a bye. A loss tonight means they cannot get a bye, and must still beat a now-hot Carolina team in the finale to win the NFC South (or have Atlanta lose to the reeling Bucs).

For Atlanta, winning out guarantees them at least the #5 seed, and getting the NFC East survivor in the playoffs. They can win the division by finishing tied with the Saints at 11-5, and still get the #3 seed as well (in which case, the Saints would drop to #5 and the Lions to #6).

The Lions need Atlanta to lose tonight, and then need to beat the Packers next week, in order to surpass the Falcons and avoid the #6 seed.

Meanwhile, Drew Brees goes for history tonight. He is 305 yards short of Dan Marino’s single season passing yard mark. He should definitely get there before the season ends, but at his current pace, we could see the new mark set late in tonight’s key Monday Night matchup.

[photo via Getty]