It’s a new era of Falcons football as Michael Penix Jr. replaced Kirk Cousins ​​as Atlanta’s quarterback against the Giants on Sunday.

While most in-season quarterback changes come either early in the season or by teams that don’t compete — see recent moves by the Browns and Titans — Penix was pushed into a winnable division race and Atlanta took care of it with a 34-year-old the business. 7 win against New York in Week 16.

MORE: Updated NFL playoff image for Week 16

The Falcons recently slipped behind the Buccaneers in the NFC South standings, but Week 16 results and a favorable tiebreaker situation have given Atlanta increasing odds of winning a division title in coach Raheem Morris’ first season.

Here’s a look at the Falcons’ updated playoff chances and how they can win the NFC South after Sunday’s win over the Giants.

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Falcons playoff picture

NFC South standings

rank	team	Record
1	Hawks	8-7
2	privateer	8-7
3	Saints	5-9
4	Panthers	4-11

The Falcons escaped with a win over the Raiders in Week 15, but still entered the NFC South one game behind the Buccaneers on Sunday. That deficit was erased at the end of the day as Atlanta defeated New York, while Tampa Bay lost to Dallas on “Sunday Night Football.”

Since the Falcons defeated the Buccaneers in both teams’ meetings earlier in the season, they are atop the NFC South in the tiebreaker. Had the Buccaneers not blown a late lead over the Falcons in Week 5 on “Thursday Night Football,” the division race could look very different.

Instead, the path is now clear for the Falcons as they look to control their own destiny and win the division. If Atlanta wins, it will win the NFC South. If at least one game is lost and the Buccaneers win, Tampa Bay wins the division.

Atlanta will still face the Panthers at home in the final two weeks, but it will have a tough matchup against the Commanders in Week 17 in a battle of the top two 2023 Heisman Trophy vote-getters. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, will not face another winning team that ends its season with the Panthers and Saints.

MORE: Why the Falcons traded Kirk Cousins ​​for Michael Penix Jr

NFC wildcard standings

seeds	team	Record
5	Vikings	13-2
6	packer	10-4
7	Commanders	10-5
8	privateer	8-7
9	Seahawks	8-7
10	Cowboys	7-8
11	Cardinals	7-8
12	49ers	6-9
13	Saints	5-9
14	Bears	4-11
15	Panthers	4-11
16	Giants	2-13

While the Falcons currently sit atop the NFC South, they could still clinch a wild-card spot if they exit the division race. Especially with one more game against the Commanders on the schedule, the Falcons could potentially hold a tiebreaker against Washington for seventh place at the end of the regular season, but their path to the NFC South title is much easier.

Besides the Buccaneers, the Seahawks are the only other NFC team that currently doesn’t have a playoff spot but is still in the running.

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Falcons remaining schedule

Week	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)
17	Dec 29	at Commanders	8:20 p.m
18	Still open	against Panthers	Still open

The Falcons still have a favorable game in front of them as they face the Panthers at the end of the regular season. First, however, they face the rival Commanders, who just ended the Eagles’ 10-game winning streak.

The Buccaneers finish their season against two teams under .500, so the Falcons can’t take anything for granted.

The Falcons have updated their playoff chances

ESPN’s Football Power Index rated the Falcons’ playoff chances at 21 percent entering Week 16, with a 15 percent chance of winning the NFC South, although those odds likely increase with Atlanta’s victory over the Giants and improved after the Buccaneers’ defeat.

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