The Atlanta Falcons are off to their best start in franchise history, starting 5-0 for the first time, following a 24-17 win on the road over the Washington Redskins.
Atlanta has had success on both sides of the ball this season, with a noticeable improvement coming on the defensive side. The Falcons have been able to take advantage of turnovers created by the defense and turn them into points, putting their opponents on their heels.
But on Sunday against the Redskins, the Falcons had to overcome an early interception returned for touchdown by Matt Ryan, as well as a huge missed assignment on defense that resulted in a 77-yard touchdown pass.
Both times it put the Falcons in a touchdown deficit.
Both times though, Atlanta responded well on the road, marching down the field and tying the game up. Then in the fourth quarter, Ryan and the offense went up for good courtesy of a Michael turner touchdown run.
The 5-0 start has the Falcons in firm control of the NFC South division, with the next-closest team having just one win on the season.
Atlanta is four games up on the 1-4 New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, and 3.5 games up on the Tampa Bay bucs, who had Week 5 off.
The Falcons have played only one division game so far this season, with a win coming against Carolina 30-28 in Week 4. But that trend will continue, as Atlanta faces their final AFC West opponent in Week 6 against Oakland before getting a bye in Week 7 and going on the road to Philadelphis in Week 8.
In fact, it won’t be until Week 10 of the NFL Season that we see Atlanta play another division game.
In an odd schedule, the Falcons alternate home and away games every week of the season, they have no two in a row at home or on the road. So far so good though for this team out of the NFC South.
As balanced as this Atlanta team has looked so far, it looks like they could be well on their way to another big season like they had during the 2010 regular season in which they won 13 games. Of course, the change needs to come in playoff success.
The Falcons are 0-3 in their last three playoff games.