FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- None of players in the Atlanta Falcons' locker room wanted to mention the word "playoffs," despite the circumstances in front of them.
They know last Thursday night's win over the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints was crucial in the big picture. The Falcons are 8-5 with three games remaining, the same record they had at this juncture last season. In 2016, they put together a four-game winning streak to end the regular season, finished 11-5, earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye and then eventually advanced to the Super Bowl.