Why the Atlanta Falcons Offense Should Keep Them in the Playoff Race

The Atlanta Falcons currently reside in third place in the NFC South at 2-4, so with 10 games left on their schedule, they're going to have to start winning quickly if they expect to be relevant in the NFC playoff picture after Thanksgiving weekend.

Many observers may be tempted to dismiss the Falcons offense because the team has lost wide receiver Julio Jones, its best skill position player, for the season.

While Jones' loss will certainly be felt more in the coming weeks than it was last Sunday against a winless Tampa Bay team, anyone who dismisses the Falcons offense would be making a mistake because the unit is still capable of scoring enough points to win games, as long as Matt Ryan is under center.

While Atlanta's improving offensive line still has a ways to go in the running game, the question is which of the other NFC teams that Atlanta will likely be competing with for the final wild-card spot boasts a skill group that is significantly better than Atlanta's group?

The Falcons still feature Roddy White, Steven Jackson, Harry Douglas, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jason Snelling and Tony Gonzalez on offense. Indeed, if Jackson and White return to full strength, the Falcons will have an even better offensive skill group than they did in 2010, when they won 13 games and had an eight-game midseason winning streak.

Sure, the playoffs are still a long shot for the Falcons because of their poor start, but if they do miss the playoffs, it won't be solely because of Jones' season-ending injury. 

The Ravens, Vikings, Colts and Bengals all made the playoffs last year with less skill position talent on offense than the Falcons have without Jones. This season, teams like Carolina, Philadelphia, Detroit, Arizona, Washington and Chicago are all in wild-card contention with comparable skill position talent now.

While the Falcons may have enough offensive firepower to compete for the playoffs without Jones, look no further than the defensive side of the ball if you want a reason as to why Atlanta might not be able to string together the seven or eight wins it probably needs to make the postseason for a fourth straight year.

The Falcons defense had allowed opponents to convert half of their third-down conversions before last Sunday, when Tampa only went 5-of-17 on third down.  Nevertheless, the Bucs were able to convert all three of their fourth-down attempts and rush for over 100 yards. 

In addition, the Falcons gave up yet another big play on Vincent Jackson's 59-yard touchdown reception.  That didn't happen much to this defense last year, but it has allowed at least one play of 40 yards or more in every game this season. 

The Falcons are going to face better quarterbacks than Tampa Bay's Mike Glennon over the next several weeks as they try to put together a winning streak.

How is a Falcons defense that has struggled on third down, folded against Ryan Tannehill and Geno Smith in the clutch and consistently given up big plays supposed to hold up against Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Colin Kaepernick down the stretch?

The Falcons have the horses on offense to remain relevant without Jones, but they'll need nothing short of a herculean effort from their defense from here on out if they want to make a playoff run. 

If Atlanta's defense is up to that task and the team doesn't sustain another major injury, don't be surprised if the Falcons find a way to sneak into the postseason at 9-7, thanks in part to the injury bug biting teams like Chicago and St. Louis at the quarterback position.

On the other hand, if the Falcons fall short of the postseason, don't be so quick to blame it on Jones' foot.

All stats via ESPN.com. All historical data courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.