Playoffs?

Playoffs?

Neither of these teams appear to be headed to the postseason, but the Steelers delivered a big blow to the Atlanta Falcons’ chances on Sunday in a 19-16 defeat at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The NFC South is so brutal that the Falcons probably still might find their way into a playoff spot. But this loss is definitely a hit to those chances.

The afternoon game was pretty dull overall. But one couldn’t help but notice the influx of Terrible Towels and Steelers fans.

Here’s what they’re saying about the game in Atlanta.

“With the defeat, the Falcons fell to 5-8 before an announced attendance of 70,025 and remain 1-3 in the division,” wrote Doug Roberson of AJC.com. “It was the team’s sixth loss this season by six points or less.

Related:

• Steelers get 2nd win in row by beating Falcons on road • Heyward brothers enjoy emotional Steelers' victory in return to Atlanta

“The result came partially down to third downs. The Falcons’ offense missed on 7 of 10 chances, including an 0-fer in the first half. Its defense failed to stop the Steelers on six of their 12 attempts.”

The score was close by game’s end, but the Falcons had a horrendous start.

“The Falcons needed this win, but you wouldn’t have known it by the way they came out,” wrote Dave Choate of SB Nation The Falcoholic. “Atlanta’s defense allowed Pittsburgh to score on all four of their first half drives, with three field goals and one really dispiriting touchdown drive, and the offense simply couldn’t do much about it as (quarterback) Marcus Mariota missed passes, receivers dropped opportunities, and the team leaned away from the ground game.”

If you wanna keep on believing Marcus Mariota can magically become a different player eight years into his NFL career, that's on you. The rest of us have critical thinking skills

— Jeanna Kelley (@jeannathomas) December 4, 2022

Some wonder whether Mariota needs to take a seat on the bench after the team’s bye week.

”It was a standard day, but one that evidently wasn’t good enough in what was billed as a must-win game for Atlanta’s playoff hopes … and might have long-term repercussions for Mariota’s hopes of maintaining the starting role,” wrote Daniel Flick of Fan Nation Falcon Report. “After the game, Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who’s stood by Mariota from the start, remained coy about the situation - but did seem more willing to consider making a change than he’s been at any point this season.”

An alternative to Mariota is the Falcons’ third-round rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Such a move would warrant a rookie quarterback replacing a mediocre veteran.

Sound familiar, Steelers Nation?

Related:

• Mark Madden: Steelers winning streak is no renaissance, just bad football • Tim Benz: 'Feats of Strength' after Steelers stack wins for 1st time this season • Madden Monday: Back-to-back Steelers wins are 'not the beginning of a new season'

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