The Atlanta Falcons are doing everything they can to avoid missing the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season, but after losing three straight games, the team is on the verge of dropping from first place in the NFC South.
The Buccaneers are now tied with the Falcons in the division standings, with Atlanta holding the tiebreaker. With five games left, the team must stop the bleeding and get the season back on track. To do this, the Falcons need their best players to step up over the final games.
Safety Jessie Bates III, running back Bijan Robinson and guard Chris Lindstrom, have played well all year. In the latest Pro Bowl voting update, Bates, Robinson and Lindstrom were ranked among the top 10 in votes at their respective positions.
Five Falcons players are in the mix for a trip to the 2025 Pro Bowl:
Falcons 2025 Pro Bowl voting FS Jessie Bates III: 5th RB Bijan Robinson: 7th TE Kyle Pitts: 9th K Younghoe Koo: 9th G Chris Lindstrom: 9th
Tight end Kyle Pitts and Younghoe Koo are also in the hunt, although neither has played exceptionally well as of late. In Week 13, Pitts was held without a catch and Koo missed another field goal during the team's 17-13 loss to the Chargers.
Despite being top five in passing yards, Kirk Cousins was not ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks in the latest Pro Bowl update. Cousins has struggled in recent weeks, throwing six interceptions without a touchdown over his last three games (all losses).
The Falcons have a tough road matchup against Cousins' former team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 14. Sunday's game starts at 1 p.m. ET in Minnesota.
Falcons Recap: Penix vs Cousins, pass-rush resurgence, latest injury news Studs and Duds from Falcons' Week 13 loss to Chargers Where do Falcons stand in NFC South after loss to Chargers? Falcons fans throw in towel on Kirk Cousins after putrid performance Falcons head coach addresses possibility of benching Kirk Cousins