ATLANTA — If the Atlanta Falcons can string together their first three-game winning streak since 2019, they will take a huge step toward breaking an even longer drought.
The Falcons (6-6) have sole possession of first place in the NFC South standings despite their mediocre record heading into the final month of the regular season.
With three of their final five games within the division — where they’re already 3-0 — starting with Sunday’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons are in prime position to make the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
“We haven’t stacked three wins in a row,” said Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder, the second-year pro who is 2-0 since returning to the starting role. “We’ve got to be able to keep our head, come back home and be able to go out and get a third win.”
The Buccaneers (5-7) are coming off just their second win in their past eight games, holding off the woeful one-win Carolina Panthers 21-18 in a division game last Sunday.
Tampa Bay still has a shot at its third straight NFC South title, but this game is essentially a must-win situation with Atlanta holding the tiebreaker edge via a 16-13 win in their first head-to-head meeting of the season on Oct. 22 in Tampa, Florida, and divisional record, with the Bucs 3-1 in that regard.
If the Falcons win Sunday, they would for all intents and purposes hold a three-game edge over Tampa Bay with four weeks to go.
“Divisional games are already important,” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “But where we’re at, it’s extremely important for us.”
Atlanta struggled offensively in its last game, but a stout defensive performance secured an ugly 13-8 victory over the New York Jets. The Falcons haven’t allowed an opposing touchdown the past two weeks, showing that all the money they spent in the offseason on that side of the line has clearly paid off.
“Each and every one of these games is a playoff game for us,” Atlanta linebacker Bud Dupree said.
After five straight losing seasons, the Falcons are thrilled to have a chance to play meaningful games in December.
“We’re not doing victory laps,” third-year coach Arthur Smith said. “But it’s another huge game, right? That’s what you want to be in.”
On the revamped defense, no one is having a bigger impact than safety Jessie Bates III, who leads the Falcons with 92 tackles and three forced fumbles and had interceptions each of the past two games, pushing him to five this season. The only players in the league with more are the Dallas Cowboys’ DaRon Bland (eight) and the Baltimore Ravens’ Geno Stone (six).
As for Atlanta’s offense, Ridder threw two interceptions in the 24-15 division rivalry win against the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago and is coming off a dismal performance against the Jets. He completed just 12 of 27 passes for 121 yards and was sacked three times, again raising doubts about whether he’s the long-term answer at quarterback.
“We’ve got to be able to push the ball down the field,” said Ridder, who as many interceptions (eight) as touchdown passes this season. “We’ve got to be able to get first downs, and we’ve got to be able to get points.”
There have been bright spots in Atlanta’s offense. The Falcons were expecting big things out of first-round pick Bijan Robinson, and the rookie running back has sure delivered. He is the second player in franchise history to compile 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his first 12 games.
He leads the Falcons with 756 yards on the ground and has 35 receptions for 266 yards for a total of 1,022. The only other Atlanta player to surpass 1,000 yards in his first 12 games was William Andrews with 1,004 in 1979.
One of Tampa Bay’s brightest spots on offense has been a veteran. Even though the Bucs no longer have Tom Brady at quarterback, Mike Evans continues to be one of the league’s top receivers.
Last weekend, he joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only players in NFL history to put together a stretch of at least 10 consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards. The 30-year-old Evans also became the first player to begin an NFL career with a streak of 10 straight years with at least 60 catches.
“I get smarter each year,” Evans said “If I’m healthy, I’m a real problem to deal with. I’ve just been blessed with health and learning how to take care of my body as I get older.”
On defense, fourth-year safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has emerged as one of Tampa Bay’s most consistent performers. He was one of two NFL players who had a sack and an interception last week, with his second pick of the season sealing the victory against Carolina.
“The game was on the line, and I knew a play had to be made,” Winfield said.
The son of former Minnesota Vikings star Antoine Winfield Sr. is the NFL’s first defensive back since Brian Dawkins and Roy Williams in 2002 with three or more forced fumbles, three or more fumble recoveries, multiple interceptions and multiple sacks in a season.