NFL power rankings: Stacking up all 32 teams heading into Week 15

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 7: Mohamed Sanu #12 of the Atlanta Falcons tries to escape the tackle attempt by Ken Crawley #20 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 6. team. 44. . W, 20-17 vs. Saints

The Falcons might still be a game behind the Saints and Panthers in the NFC South standings, but they have to be feeling awfully good about their playoff chances after their crucial win over the Saints on Thursday Night Football.

Quarterback Matt Ryan didn’t have his best game at all, tossing three early interceptions. But “Matty Ice” proved his namesake late, helping lead a game-tying drive that ended in an eight-yard touchdown to wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.

Tack on a late field goal by kicker Matt Bryan, the eventual game winner, and Atlanta has a ton of momentum in its favor.

Sanu and No. 1 receiver Julio Jones were dominant, as per usual, and the Falcons did a good job limiting the damage done by New Orleans’ offense. That’s a good sign moving forward.

Biggest Question

Despite the win, the Falcons are still on the outside, looking in, in the playoff picture. The good news, though, is Atlanta controls its own destiny. All three of the Falcons’ remaining games come against NFC South opponents, with one being against the lowly Buccaneers in Week 15.

If the Falcons win their other two games against the Saints and Panthers, they’ll be looking at another postseason run.