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5 things every Falcons fan needs to know on Christmas

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Dec 25, 2015

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FLOWERY BRANCH — Here are the five things you need to know on Christmas  about the Falcons (7-7), who play host the undefeated Carolina Panthers (14-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome. Carolina's Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Stewart (foot) was declared out for the game by Carolina coach Ron Rivera on Thursday.

Top 50 Falcons: No. 13, Julio Jones
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1. PRACTICE: Falcons coach Dan Quinn pushed practice back to the afternoon so the players could play Santa Claus and spend time with their kids. Practice will start at 2:15 p.m. today.

2. COLEMAN UPDATE: Quinn will have an update on Tevin Coleman, who slipped in the shower and suffered a concussion on Wednesday. He's in the league's concussion protocol program.

3. UNDERDOGS: The Falcons are seven point underdogs to Panthers. The Falcons have lost 11 straight as home dogs of a touchdown or more. Atlanta went 6-5 against-the-spread in those games, according to PredictionMachine.com. (@predictmachine on Twitter)

4. TOP 50 COUNTDOWN: Check back later today on AJC. com to see who's ranked No. 6. Is it Hammer Time? 

5. FOX NO. 2 TEAM:  FOX Sports' Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver will be the announcers for the game on Sunday.

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MEET THE FALCONS CHEERLEADERS: Aleria

Aleria has been a member of the Falcons cheer squad for three seasons. (Curtis Compton / www.ajc.com)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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