How to Clinch a Division Before Halloween Without Really Trying.

Step 1: Play in the NFC or AFC South. Step 2: Don't utterly stink. Step 3: Sweep your top rival. Step 4: Revel in your brief autumn window of relevance.

We’ve got plenty to talk about in this Week 8 Walkthrough, including:

• The most dramatic Hail Mary since the ending of The Godfather: Part II.

• The Cowboys and 49ers battle their own toxic vibes, as well as each other.

• The Eagles’ three-game winning streak: illusion or mirage?

• The unanticipated and not-altogether-unwelcome returns of Jacoby Brissett and Malik Willis.

And much more.

But we kick things off with two divisions which are not likely to be very competitive in the second half of the season. Not that either was exactly a Bracket of Champions in the first half.

Premature Sun Belt Conference Championship Spotlight: Atlanta Falcons 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26.

What Happened

The Falcons rolled out to a 31-17 fourth-quarter lead against an opponent which was without one of the league’s most respected receiving tandems, then coasted to an easy win.

Just kidding! These are the Falcons! They rolled out to a 31-17 fourth-quarter lead against an opponent which was without one of the league’s most respected receiving tandems, then attempted one of their signature meltdowns. They committed a blooper-reel safety, then offered little resistance on a Buccaneers touchdown drive, then missed a 46-yard field goal, giving Baker Mayfield the ball with 1:01 to play. Mayfield, however, could find no one to throw to after driving to the 33-yard line in the final seconds, allowing the Falcons to preserve a season sweep.

What It Means for the Falcons

Jokes about Falcons letdowns aside, they looked outstanding for three quarters. Kyle Pitts emerged from fantasy-meme purgatory for two deep touchdowns. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier ran with authority behind solid blocking. The Falcons pass rush remains nonexistent – Matt Judon is the new Kyle Pitts – but Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell provided leaping interceptions to squash comeback attempts. Kirk Cousins distributed the ball like a confident professional behind solid protection and picked up 13 yards on a critical scramble when the Falcons were trying to ice the clock.

The Falcons are balanced and efficient on offense and adequate on defense, and Younghoe Koo just got one of his rare random missed chipshots out of his system. The Falcons are also much healthier than their NFC South foes and hold several tiebreaker advantages by virtue of being 4-0 in their division and 5-1 in the conference.

The Falcons will still find a way to choke hilariously in January, of course. I am just running out of guesses as to how they will do so.