ATL Standard

The Atlanta Falcons will face the Washington Commanders in a prime-time game on Sunday, December 17, at 8:20 p.m. ET. The NFL confirmed this decision on Tuesday. Initially designated as a flex game for Week 17, it could have been scheduled for either Saturday or Sunday.

This upcoming match marks the second Sunday night appearance for the Falcons this season. Earlier, they hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 and narrowly lost with a score of 22-17 to the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Both teams are contenders for playoff spots in the NFC. The Falcons hold a record of 7-7 and are competing closely in the NFC South, trailing one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, with a record of 9-5, the Commanders aim to secure one of three wild card spots while trailing behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

The outcome of this matchup could be crucial as both teams vie for playoff positions; particularly with Atlanta being two games behind Washington for a wild card spot. Remaining games include challenging opponents such as Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) and Dallas Cowboys (6-8) for Washington, whereas Atlanta will play against New York Giants (2-12), Carolina Panthers (3-11), besides their road game against Washington.

Raheem Morris, head coach of Atlanta Falcons, will confront his former colleague Dan Quinn who now leads Washington Commanders. Quinn previously served as head coach of Atlanta for five full seasons and guided them to an NFC Championship victory in 2016. Morris was part of Quinn's coaching staff throughout his tenure before stepping up as interim head coach when Quinn departed after five games into the season.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins also revisits familiar grounds having spent six initial seasons with Washington post being drafted during round four of NFL Draft back in 2012; he returned earlier once more earning himself another victory by defeating them back then scoring twenty-to-seventeen points last year within said context thereof mentioned therein above-mentioned sentence(s).

In recent encounters spanning across three consecutive years preceding current time frame under consideration here-in-so-forth aforementioned text contents included herein above-discussed paragraphs - each resulting loss came via narrow margins ending only mere single-possession differences respectively whereby last triumph occurred way back year twenty-eighteen...thus striving break free from streak Sunday Night Football setting stage anticipation mounting ever higher amidst fans alike eagerly awaiting kickoff moment arrive finally yet again!