The Atlanta Falcons are gearing up for a crucial Week 18 showdown as they still have a chance to make the playoffs, despite their 7-9 record heading into the final game of the regular season. Their path to the postseason has become clearer and more promising, thanks to some unexpected turn of events.

According to the New York Times playoff simulator, the Falcons currently hold a 17% chance of making the playoffs by winning the NFC South division. While the wild card option is no longer on the table, this is a significant improvement of 5% compared to last week.

"We have life," exclaimed Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. "However crazy it played out, that is what the situation is."

The Falcons' improved outlook can be attributed to their upcoming opponent this Sunday, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints' victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17 prevented the Buccaneers from clinching the NFC South. Now, the Buccaneers have another opportunity to secure the division title in Week 18 with a victory over the Carolina Panthers.

For the Falcons to claim the division and secure a spot in the playoffs, two things need to happen in Week 18: the Buccaneers must lose to the Panthers, and the Falcons need to defeat the Saints. It's as simple as that.

If the Buccaneers fall to the Panthers, the winner of the Falcons-Saints game will claim the NFC South title. The Saints would emerge victorious based on their superior 9-8 record, while the Falcons would finish at 7-10, and the Buccaneers at 8-9. The Falcons' head-to-head records against the Saints and Buccaneers (3-1 and 2-2, respectively) would grant them the tiebreaker advantage.

However, all of this will be in vain if the Buccaneers manage to defeat the Panthers.

Both the Falcons-Saints and Buccaneers-Panthers games are scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Falcons will be facing the Saints at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with live coverage airing on CBS. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will take on the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, with live coverage airing on FOX.

Heading into Week 18, the Saints are the only team riding the momentum of a victory, making the Falcons' task even more challenging.

"Anytime we play New Orleans, it's a big deal," stated Coach Smith. "Certainly, this game has a lot on the line. I know some of it is out of our control, but again, that's our own doing, right? To not control your own (destiny). But we have to be ready to go, put everything we've got, and go beat New Orleans."

As the Falcons prepare for their do-or-die encounter against the Saints, all eyes will also be on the Buccaneers-Panthers matchup, as the Falcons hope for an upset that could catapult them into the postseason. The pressure is on, and the Falcons are ready to give it their all in pursuit of their playoff dreams.