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Playoffs?!
It’s been apparent since the Falcons dropped an ugly game against the Browns, but Sunday’s win against the Cardinals makes it official: The Atlanta Falcons have been eliminated from the playoffs.
Our gaze now turns to draft positioning and potential coaching turnover. The Falcons currently own the sixth spot in the 2019 NFL Draft with two games to go before we officially know where they will select. They’ll obviously do themselves a disservice in that regard should they win the next two games — probably dropping out of the top ten.
On the coaching side of things, Tom Pelissero reports that there’s a “strong possibility” of both Steve Sarkisian and Marquand Manuel departing in the offseason. He also mentions former Seahawks and Vikings OC Darrell Bevell as a name to keep an eye on for Atlanta.
Next Men Up
We’ve been banging this drum since things fell by the wayside for the Falcons, and we’re going to continue to do so for the remainder of the season. With two games left — and draft positioning on the line — it’s time to let the young guys work.
Dave Choate identifies eight players who should be given a healthy dose of snaps over the next two weeks.
Jeremy Langford to the active roster
Jeremy Langford is an enigma, and he also helped win me a fantasy championship in 2015. I like mysteries and winning money, so I was pleased to see that he’d been promoted to the active roster. With Ito Smith hitting IR for the remainder of the year, Langford will slot in behind Tevin Coleman and Brian Hill on Sunday.
The Michigan State product is still only 27 and only a few years removed from posting a 4.42 40 at the 2015 NFL Combine. The Falcons definitely want to give him a decent look over the next two games to see if he can still contribute at the professional level.
In related moves, the team added wide receiver Christian Kirk and offensive lineman Chris Durant to the practice squad, as well as waiving wide receiver Julian Williams.
Money Mic’d Up
Matt Bryant kicks footballs a long way, and as he was mic’d up against the Cardinals we learned he’s actually a real funny dude whilst doing it. He enjoys off-key renditions of Band-Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” asking his teammates if they’re “swaggin’ and swayin’,” and just generally being an all-around good guy. Matt Bryant mic’d up warrants a watch.
The Falcoholic Postgame Podcast
The Falcoholic’s Cory Woodroof joins newly-minted Falcoholic Evan Birchfield to break down Atlanta’s win over Arizona. They talk tank psychology, what the win means for the team, and the guys who deserve more run over the next two games.