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Best-case scenario: This season ends painlessly, and their fans never speak of it again. I mean, what else is there? The Falcons' playoff hopes evaporated in October, and it's not like they have a bunch of young, exciting players worth watching. Atlanta has been competitive under Raheem Morris, but it's time to look ahead to their GM and coaching search.

They competed against the Saints, but is that loss the one that ends the chances for Raheem Morris getting the job on a full-time basis? He's done a good job.

They've at least solved the kicking position, Younghoe Koo is pacing the NFL with 119 points -- including seven games with at least three field goals.

Person with most at stake: Interim head coach Raheem Morris

A strong finish to the regular season could help Morris get Atlanta's permanent head-coaching position. After this Sunday's game against the Chargers, the schedule gets demanding, with two games versus the Bucs and one against the Chiefs. A 4-0 conclusion to the regular season would make a strong statement that he's the right guy. -- Adam Teicher

The Falcons racked up five turnovers and five sacks during a romp of the Raiders in Week 12, but Raheem Morris didn't get the same performance against the Saints this past Sunday. Atlanta made Taysom Hill look like a fully functional quarterback in a two-touchdown day for the erstwhile gadget guy. Hill shredded the Falcons on third down in the first half, completing eight of nine passes for 92 yards and a TD. This was the same Hill who threw for 78 yards total in Denver. Atlanta's offense, meanwhile, was held out of the end zone in the first three quarters and was stopped on downs with a chance to take the lead in the final minutes. The biggest positive might be that the Saints won't show up on the schedule again.