He could not have been more correct.

Losses by Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina, coupled with Atlanta's win, left the Falcons with a chance to capture the NFC South title. The comeback team of the year has clinched a playoff berth and could earn the No. 2, No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC.

The No. 2 seed means a first-round bye and a home playoff game. As a wild-card team, the Falcons would open the playoffs on the road against either Arizona, Minnesota or Chicago on Jan. 3 or 4.

Against the Vikings, the ball bounced the Falcons' way as they scooped up four of seven fumbles, including one caused by Kindal Moorehead.

"I saw [Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson], and I just went for the tackle," he said. "My helmet hit the ball and it came out of there."

The biggest bounce came when Matt Ryan's fumble ended up in Justin Blalock's arms in the end zone.

Then the wind at Giants Stadium pushed Carolina's game-winning field goal attempt wide against New York.

Now, with so many breaks, the Falcons are plotting a path that would lead them to Tampa Bay for the Super Bowl instead of preparing for the draft.

Safety Lawyer Milloy, kicker Jason Elam and backup quarterback Chris Redman are the only players on the roster with Super Bowl rings.

"It's a big goal," running back Michael Turner said, adding, "I'm trying to get some pointers from [Milloy] on how to win the thing."

A look at the Falcons' playoff scenarios:

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS FOR THE Falcons

No. 2 seed

If the Falcons win at home against St. Louis this week and Carolina loses at New Orleans, they would each finish 11-5. The Falcons would own the fourth tiebreaker for division ties over the Panthers --- better conference record --- and would win the division. "It's still an opportunity for us to win the division if we take care of business next week and some good things happen for us," Falcons center Todd McClure said. The Falcons would have a better record than Arizona (NFC West winner) and Minnesota or Chicago (NFC North winner), behind New York, which has locked up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That would give the Falcons a first-round bye and a home playoff game.

No. 5 seed

If Carolina wins, it clinches the South division and makes the Falcons the top wild-card team if they beat St. Louis. The Falcons would play at No. 4 seed Arizona on Jan. 3 or 4. That would also be the scenario if Dallas loses and Tampa Bay, Philadelphia or Chicago earn the final wild-card spot.

No. 6 seed

Dallas earns a playoff berth with a victory over Philadelphia. With a Cowboys win and a Falcons loss, each would finish 10-6. Dallas wins the third tiebreaker --- better conference record --- over the Falcons. The Falcons would play at the No. 3 seed, North division winner Minnesota or Chicago.

PLAYOFF PICTURE

A look at the NFC race with one week remaining:

East champion ..........Giants (12-3)

South leader............Panthers (11-4)

North leader............Vikings (9-6)

West champion ..........Cardinals (8-7)

Wild-cards..............Falcons (10-5), Cowboys (9-6)

Contenders..............Buccaneers (9-6), Eagles (8-6-1), Bears (8-6)