​The Eagles and Falcons Just Gave Us an Early NFC Playoff Game

Had the Falcons or Eagles coaching staffs felt like quoting Scripture in the run-up to their decisive contest this Sunday, the Bible's footballiest verse would have been especially apropos: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17, NIV).

Statistically, these are two of the best teams in the game, but have failed to hold an edge over other good squads. Despite dropping two straight games each to potential playoff teams, both had been outscoring opponents by an average of more than five points per game. In their matchup today, the Eagles and Falcons each had a shot to prove their mettle as one of the NFC's best.

The Eagles came into the game at 4-4, but they boasted a top-ten scoring offense (10th) and defense (7th), and were more than capable of beating anybody anywhere. And though the Falcons were an impressive 6-3 and No. 1 in scoring offense, they still had the league's 28th-ranked scoring defense.

When iron met iron at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, the Falcons' Achilles heel became apparent: They're built to play with a lead, not play catch-up.

The Eagles' first offensive series was a 12-play, 81-yard affair that wound half a quarter off the clock and was punctuated with a touchdown run by tailback Ryan Mathews.

But neither team would score another touchdown until the fourth quarter.

The Eagles' fast, physical defense stuffed the Falcons' dangerous running game; Devonta Freeman's 49 yards were the only ground yards gained by a Falcons tailback. They also kept a lid on the Falcons' explosive passing game; except for that one touchdown they allowed just 179 net team passing yards with a long of 29.

But there was that one touchdown:

#MattyIce finds Taylor Gabriel for a 76-Yard TD to take the lead. #ATLvsPHI https://t.co/veqlaj9UTF
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 13, 2016

It was Taylor Gabriel's only catch of the day. It was also Matt Ryan's only touchdown of the day, and nearly a third of his total passing yards. But it was good enough to give the Falcons a 15-14 lead with 13:25 left in the game.

But that 13:25 established which team was the better on the day: The Eagles drove for a field goal attempt (which Caleb Sturgis missed), though Ryan went three-and-out. The Eagles then drove for a touchdown, and the best offense in football could only punt again. The Falcons got a game-saving stop with 4:05 left, but a minute and a half later the Falcons failed to convert on 4th-and-5.

Then the Eagles drove for a field goal (and made it this time), adding insult to injury. Ryan insulted himself even further by throwing the only day's only interception, cementing the Philadelphia's 24-15 win.

Though the Eagles were technically in the NFC East's basement before the game—at 5-4 and playing great football—there's no question they'll be in the mix down the stretch. At 6-4, the Falcons are still in control of the NFC South, and will probably be fighting for a playoff bye.

There's every chance the Eagles could have to face this Falcons team again in January—but this time, with home-field advantage favoring Atlanta. Even if we aren't treated to a postseason sequel, though, this one was as well-played and hard-fought as regular-season ball gets.