Everyone thought this specific game would have serious implications in the NFC South race when the schedule was first released, way back in the middle of May. That included the NFL decision makers themselves, who made this a late season prime time matchup on Thursday Night Football.
How could we not expect a big matchup? After all, these were the two primary combatants for the division each of the past two seasons and expectations were high for both coming into this year. While Tampa has remained
on the same track they’ve been on the past few years, however, Atlanta has completely imploded and currently sit at 4-9 and mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
It’s all over but the screaming at this point for the Falcons in 2025. All they are left to do is potentially play spoiler.
Here is the scenario the Falcons face if they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15, as well as if they lose.
If the Falcons win
They will deal a very significant blow to the Bucs in their hopes of winning the NFC South for a record fifth consecutive season. Tampa is currently tied atop the division with the Carolina Panthers, each sporting a 7-6 record. Their two head to head games down the stretch will go a long way in deciding this, but the Falcons can help put Carolina in pole position heading into those matchups.
The Falcons would also re-take the lead in the all time head to head series with Tampa, in an all time matchup that’s currently tied at 32 after the Birds rallied a little bit in recent times with four wins in five games before the loss in Week 1 this season. This would give Atlanta an all time winning record against every other division foe.
Given that there’s no first round pick this year, that’s about everything the Falcons have to play for outside their own pride. It really is the most dreadful scenario.
If the Falcons lose
They will officially reach another year of double digit losses, their fifth such season in the past six years. Atlanta has already solidified their eighth consecutive losing season with last week’s defeat, now it’s all about seeing how bad things can get from an official records perspective.
More than anything, another defeat (this time in prime time) would bring us another step closer to Raheem Morris being fired from a job he’s clearly failed at, and possibly having the ownership just completely clean house. Arthur Blank has proven in the past that he’ll let meaningless wins at the end of the season sway his decision making, and the fewer of those Morris gives him the less of a chance that he’ll be retained.
