What’s at stake: Playoff scenarios for the Saints

The other teams

As for the teams behind the Wild Card wall, Detroit has the best opportunity to eke in. But it would still take a lot of doing. The Lions lost to all three of the NFC South teams already in. They would need Atlanta to lose two times while they win twice to get in. They don’t have the tiebreaker over any of the NFC South teams already ahead of them.

Just to show how tight this race is, there are scenarios by which even the Falcons could get all the way up to a two seed. Even this late in the season with two games left to play. It’s a very exciting finish to the season.

For the Saints and Falcons, they control much of their own destinies. Carolina ironically needs help to win the division, even though they are tied with the Saints. However, there is a smaller chance of them missing the playoffs altogether than the Saints. And due to the fact that they beat the Vikings, they’d have a clearer path to that second seed should they get so fortunate.

Next: Three issues Saints must clean up for Falcons game

For the Saints, putting it simply, win one of the last two and they are in the playoffs. Win two and they win the division. And then have to see which other chips fall to see where they end up. We won’t discuss losing both any further. For Who Dats who want outside rooting interests besides their fantasy football championship games this week, you should be rooting for Tennessee over the LA Rams, the Packers over the Vikings. And, of course, Tampa over Carolina.

And without a doubt, no Christmas Eve dinner could be finer than fried Falcon.