Week 16 didn't go quite how Atlanta Falcons fans hoped, with the likely No. 5 seed New Orleans Saints splitting the season series, but nothing would put that in the rear view quite like clinching Mike Smith's first NFC South title and the franchise's first No. 1 seed since 1980. 1980! The Birds can do it this week by beating the Carolina Panthers, who happen to be the league's worst team, but don't count out the Cats.
Cause for concern: in the first meeting between these teams, Carolina ran for 212 yards. Sort of a misleading stat, since much of that yardage came in garbage time when the Falcons were playing loose to shut off deep passes, and anybody can run on soft zones from nickel sets. But the Panthers have had solid ground days against the Falcons in recent years, including a 185-yarder last year.
Plus this is likely John Fox's last game as Panthers coach. Think he might like to completely rearrange the NFC playoff picture on his way out?
Still, we shouldn't be all that worried. The Falcons won that game by three touchdowns, and that was in Atlanta East with somewhat less to play for. Atlanta knows this game is the difference between taking a week off before welcoming the Saints or Packers back to the Georgia Dome and having to travel, risk injury, and travel again to New Orleans, Philly, or Chicago.
More to come throughout the week on a very big divisional game.