FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – We're heading into Week 16 and everything is still on the table for the Falcons – a playoff berth and the NFC South crown.

Unlike a few teams, the Falcons control their own fate. The Seahawks, Cowboys and Lions are all still alive in the NFC playoff race, but must finish 2-0 and get some help along the way. Seattle also has an outside chance of winning the NFC West, but would have to finish 2-0 and hope the Rams go 0-2 over the next two weeks.

Back to Atlanta. The most the Falcons can do this week is secure a spot in the postseason. And they can accomplish that two different ways.

Option A: Beat the Saints. Win and they're in. It's that simple. Plus, the Falcons would keep their chances of winning the NFC South alive.

Beat the Saints. Win and they're in. It's that simple. Plus, the Falcons would keep their chances of winning the NFC South alive. Option B: The Falcons would have to tie the Saints, plus the Cowboys and Seahawks would have to tie and the Lions would have to lose or tie the Bengals.

And if we're being totally honest here, Option B is very unlikely.

So, what happens if the Falcons should lose to the Saints? Obviously, repeating as NFC South champions is out the window. But can they still make the playoffs? Yes. If the Falcons win one of their final two games, they will clinch a playoff berth.

If the Falcons should finish 0-2

But what if the Falcons should stumble two weeks in a row? Can they still make the playoffs going 0-2 over the next two weeks? Believe it or not, yes. But they'll need some help.