How will the Falcons’ Week 17 matchup impact their playoff odds?

Thus far this season, the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) have failed to take that next step, but their playoff hopes are still alive with two weeks left to play. On Sunday, the Falcons will take on the Chicago Bears (6-9) at Soldier Field and both teams are clinging to some pretty unfavorable postseason odds.

The Bears are three-point favorites going into Week 17, and they’re 4-3 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Falcons are just 2-5 on the road in 2023. So, how will Sunday’s game affect each team’s playoff chances?

ESPN laid out postseason odds for each team based on the different potential outcomes of Week 17. As you can see below, Atlanta’s odds aren’t great, but they’re considerably better than Chicago’s.

Both of these teams are alive, but they need a win and help. It’s a bit more straightforward for the Falcons, who have a 12.3% chance of making the playoffs with a win and 6.7% if they lose. Strangely, Atlanta’s chances to win the NFC South won’t change with the result, as they are completely dependent on the Bucs losing to the Saints. The Bears have very slim playoff hopes, as a win would give them a 0.3% chance at the postseason. — ESPN staff

The Falcons need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose at least one more game to have a chance to steal the division. In Week 17, the Buccaneers take on the New Orleans Saints.

If Atlanta can take care of business on Sunday, and Tampa Bay loses to New Orleans, it will set up an epic Falcons-Saints matchup in Week 18 with the NFC South on the line.