This AJC article by DOL distresses me. It quotes some Falcons who seem to think that their problems can be fixed handily. Just need some adjustments here and there, that's all. I wonder if they really believe that, or if it's just bravado/hubris.

A team that can't rush for one critical stinking yard against a very poor Saints defense has deeper problems than the Falcons admit. Likewise for Sunday's atrocious tackling and the nonexistent pass rush.

I'm happy about the Falcons' success thus far, but these are some big red flags warning of trouble ahead in the postseason. A team that can't run the ball in the clutch is not going to advance far against playoff competition. Are the Falcons going to suddenly start tackling better, or producing more pressure & sacks, when the heat is on? It could happen, but it's not bloodly likely.

Having followed the Falcons for 40+ years, I've seen good and bad. Disturbingly, I've never seen a GOOD Falcons team that had such severe problems rushing and tackling. I will cheer them on to the end, but this doesn't appear to be a great team poised to make a deep playoff run. (Though I'll be happy to be proven wrong.) Good luck, Falcons!