We poured over the scenarios on the site Monday, but with a 17-16 loss to the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football, the New York Giants have helped push the Falcons all the more closer to earning the NFC’s top seed in the playoffs this weekend.

The Giants’ loss means that the Falcons can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win over Carolina, a Chicago loss or tie to Minnesota (1 p.m. Sunday), a Green Bay loss or tie to the Lions (8:20 p.m. Sunday) and a San Francisco loss to the Dolphins (4:05 p.m., Sunday).

Perhaps more likely, however, is the Falcons earning a first-round bye this weekend, which would guarantee them one of the top two spots in the NFC.

In order for the Falcons to clinch a first-round bye this weekend, they’d need:

• ATL win + CHI loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR
• ATL win + SF loss OR
• ATL tie + CHI loss + GB loss

We all know that the Falcons just need to keep winning to reach one of their many goals this season, but getting a little help to secure things up earlier wouldn’t be a bad thing.