A look at the Falcons' playoff predicament
Atlanta Falcons12/18/2006 10:02 AM The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Falcons need help to make it into the playoffs. Any aide might be rendered meaningless if they don't win their final two games, against Carolina on Sunday at the Georgia Dome and the season finale at Philadelphia. The Eagles' 36-22 victory over the Giants on Sunday elevated them to 8-6, a game ahead of the Falcons, who fell to 7-7 with Saturday night's loss to the visiting Cowboys. The Giants dropped to 7-7 to match Atlanta as the teams with the best records among those franchises that have not been eliminated from playoff contention. The Giants defeated the Falcons 27-14 earlier this year, however, and hold the tiebreaker over Atlanta should they finished with identical records. This is a scenario Atlanta's players and coaches have tried to avoid, but a four-game losing streak, the inability to win more than two games in a row and four home losses have left the team vulnerable to missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The Falcons could face the reeling Panthers (6-8) Sunday in their home finale without QB Michael Vick, who injured his groin against Dallas. No medical updates were provided Sunday. Read more