Falcons fighting for lives

The Atlanta Falcons literally limp into the Georgia Dome to play the biggest game of the year against the Eagles in basically a do-or-die game to get to the postseason for the second consecutive year.

The Falcons' difficulties have been well-documented throughout the season, including everything from tons of injuries and a difficult schedule to inconsistent offensive play and an underperforming defense. But the bottom line remains that the NFL shows no pity and excuses need not apply.

Of course, the big news is the return of Michael Vick to a place where he used to play every Sunday. The reaction will likely be boisterous in the beginning and when Vick enters the game, but based off the amount he's played throughout the year, the actual impact on the game may be minimal.

Based on their record, performance and wins, the Falcons are pretty much an average team defeating only teams with losing records and falling to the better teams they've played. They are a very young team and are only in year two of "the process," but the expectations were set high and fans want to see the team play hard, tough, and show a sense of fight for four quarters, which is not something that has been seen in every game.

The Eagles bring in one of the most talented teams in the NFC as well as being able to control their own destiny. If they defeat the Falcons in the Dome today, they put themselves squarely in the driver's seat for a wild-card berth and possibly even a chance at the NFC East title crown.

If the Falcons win, they put themselves in a great position to make the postseason with their relatively easier schedule in the remaining four games, save the Saints game, of course. The Eagles aren't necessarily eliminated with a loss, but the Falcons basically will be.

A loss will give the Falcons a defeat in the tiebreaker category to all three NFC East teams, of which one will win the division and the other two will be right in the wild-card playoff hunt with the Cowboys standing at 8-3, the Eagles 7-4 and the Giants at 6-5. That's also including that the Packers are 7-4 and have a pretty easy road left as well.

In other words, barring a complete meltdown by the other teams, the Falcons will likely be done in terms of the postseason. Plain and simple, it's put up or shut up time for Atlanta.