Atlanta Falcons: Why Playoffs Are a Must This Season

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The Atlanta Falcons have made the playoffs two out of the last three seasons, and this year, it is imperative they continue to show their dominance in the NFC South.

The New Orleans Saints will provide stiff competition for the Falcons as they fight for the NFC South crown, but not making the playoffs this season will be a major setback for a franchise that gave up several potential team-saving draft picks for a big playmaker at the wide receiver position, Julio Jones.

Here are five reasons why the Falcons must make the playoffs this season.

They Can't Get Much Better Next Year

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After the Falcons traded the farm to get Julio Jones, they officially became a win-now team. 

They put building for the future on the back-burner as they've already built enough.

The Falcons have a team that is good enough to win the Super Bowl, but after a rough start, not making the playoffs would be a catastrophe and would lower the morale tremendously in the locker room.

The worst part about the whole situation would be that the Falcons could not address areas of need in the draft and would have to rely on trades and free agency, instead of picking their own fate.

Tony Gonzalez Would Be Another Year Older

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Tony Gonzalez is one of Matt Ryan's favorite red-zone targets.

Another wasted, playoff-less season for Gonzalez would make his retirement come that much sooner. As he continues to age, his effectiveness will diminish, and it's important for the Falcons to go as deep as they while Gonzalez is still playing at a very high level.

Atlanta can't afford to waste seasons with the best tight end in history and one of the most efficient red-zone players in the league.

Matt Ryan's Confidence

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Matt Ryan still has never won a playoff game.

The season after leading the Falcons to the best record in the NFC cannot be followed by a season in which Atlanta fails to make the playoffs.

It'll be bad enough if Ryan can't win a playoff game this season, but not even getting a shot will be worse. Ryan is a great decision maker and could be the next great quarterback in the league, but he can't develop a reputation of not being able to win big games or even get to big games.

City of Atlanta

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The Falcons can't afford to start being questioned by the city that has rallied around them so well. A season without the playoffs could force doubt into the minds of Atlanta fans, and that is not what the team needs.

Right now, Atlanta is fully backing their Dirty Birds, but not making the post season would put a dent in their excellent relationship and ultimately cause the confidence of the Dirty Birds to tank.

New Orleans Will Make It

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The Falcons want payback for Sunday's loss against New Orleans? Get it twice. In the playoffs and in the Super Dome.

The Falcons are usually incredibly dominant at home and their loss to New Orleans is a rare blip on Ryan's home record. If the Falcons want to assert themselves against the Saints, they'll need to beat them later this season, claim the division, and then get them at home again in the playoffs.

If I was a player for the Falcons, that would be my wish, followed by a rematch with the Packers. To be the best you have to beat the best, and Atlanta will get their chances.

Their schedule is favorable for the rest of the season and providing they win the games they should win, they have a very realistic shot at winning the division.

Playoffs are a must, but after today's gut-wrenching loss, sending the Saints home for the spring and summer in the Georgia Dome would taste real sweet.