Falcons’ late playoff push feels different

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons are accustomed to making a late-season run to the playoffs.

But as the Falcons chase a playoff spot, they’re not looking at Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay or any part of their closing stretch as anything like last season.

Nevermind that they were 7-5 last season before rolling to four straight regularseason victories and playoff wins over Seattle and Green Bay to reach the Super Bowl. The Falcons know last season’s run doesn’t guarantee anything now.

Coming off a 20-17 win over the Saints last Thursday that pulled the Falcons (8-5) within 1.5 games of New Orleans and Carolina in the NFC South, Atlanta will be without starting left guard Andy Levitre (triceps) and possibly backup running back Tevin Coleman (concussion).

With wins over the Bucs (4-9), Saints, and Panthers, the Falcons can become division champs again, and even without such a run they’re in the wild-card race and hold tiebreakers over Green Bay, Detroit, Seattle and Dallas.

The Falcons have a long way to go to resemble the offensive juggernaut of last season, when they outscored opponents 154-75 over the final four regular-season games and in the playoffs handled the Seahawks 36-20 and the Packers 44-21.

The defense has improved, ranking No. 7 in the NFL in yards allowed per game (319.8), but has generated just 11 takeaways and the Falcons are minus-5 in turnover margin. Coach Dan Quinn believes that his team has not yet played its best.

— Wire services