5 things every Falcons fan needs to know Friday

1. PRACTICE: The Falcons have a light practice this morning at 11:30 a.m. followed by an open locker room session.

2. DON'T LOOK FOR MORE NO-HUDDLE: Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is not a big fan of the no-huddle offense. They Falcons have used it in three games, Dallas, Tennessee and San Francisco, in traditional hurry-up situations. He's not going to use it -- even though Matt Ryan deftly runs it -- as part of the normal operation or because the media is telling him to do so.  Here's the full transcript from Coach Kyle, who shared his thoughts on what's wrong with the offense. (Nothing that fewer penalties and turnovers by the players won't cure.)

3. ARE THE FALCONS 2 LEGIT 2 QUIT?: Columnist Mark Bradley did some numbers crunching on the Falcons. He considers whether they are 6-3 contenders or, in this NFL era of parity, if they are 6-3 pretenders. My translation, since it's the 50th anniversary, let's honor the Deion Sanders/Jerry Glanville era by bringing back MC Hammer and his crew. They can do  do 2 Legit 2 Quit at halftime or at least play the hot video (below).

4. HAGEMAN UPATE: Falcons second-year defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman shared his thoughts of Minnesota coach Jerry Kill. Also, coach Dan Quinn gave us an update on his play.

5. JACKSON EXPECTED TO PLAY:  Our pal Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star talked to Colts linebacker D'Qwell Jackson yesterday and expects him to play on Sunday. He told Holder he was held out of practice more as a precautions. The Colts need Jackson to attempt to slow down Falcons running back Devonta Freeman.

http://bcove.me/bg4eya5l

Here's how the Falcons achieved their 6-3 start

(Deion Sanders and Andre Rison cameo at the 4:00 mark; Falcons cheerleaders at 5:16; Falcons coach Jerry Glanville at 5:23)

Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from the Falcons' 17-16 loss to San Francisco, the 23-20 overtime loss to Tampa Bay,  win over the Titans (10-7), loss to the Saints (31-21) and their victories over the Redskins (25-19 in OT), Texans (48-21), Cowboys (39-28), Giants (24-20) and Eagles (26-24).

SAN FRANCISCO GAME COVERAGE -- 49ERS 17, Falcons 16

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 17-16 loss to the 49ers

How the 49ers beat the Falcons, 17-16

JEFF SCHULTZ: Latest Falcons' embarrassment is on Dan Quinn

Gabbert, 49ers make Falcons defense look weak

Weems provides brief spark with big returns

PHOTOS -- Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

TAMPA BAY GAME COVERAGE -- Bucs 23, Falcons 20 in OT

5 things we learned in the Falcons' 23-20 loss to the Bucs

How the Falcons lost to the Bucs in OT

10 comments from Dan Quinn after the loss to the Bucs

Adams disagreed with overtime pass interference call

Matt Ryan's miscues help to gift the Bucs' 20 points

QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons were saying after the 23-20 loss to the Bucs

Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston bests his role model: 'Mr. Ryan'

Falcons defense holds up, but forces no turnovers

Falcons rallied behind wide receiver Julio Jones

Bucs rookie linebacker Alexander dedicates win to deceased brother

TENNESSEE GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 10, Titans 7

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans

BRADLEY: Falcons do enough to survive

10 comments from Dan Quinn after the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans

NEW ORLEANS GAME COVERAGE -- Saints 31, Falcons 21

5 things we learned in the Falcons' 31-21 loss to the Saints

Saints hand Falcons their first loss -- Quarter by Quarter

Matt Ryan: 'It was a tough night'

What the Falcons had to say after their 31-21 loss to the Saints

Why didn't the Falcons feed Freeman? -- Mike Check

Falcons flash some of their ugly past -- Jeff Schultz column

Falcons-Saints by the numbers

WASHINGTON GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 25, Redskins 19 in OT

Falcons pull out 25-19 victory over Redskins in OT -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned in the Falcons' 25-19 win over the Redskins

What the Falcons had to say after the 25-19 win

Ryan, offense struggle with turnovers

Mark Bradley column: The Frenetic Falcons: Five-and-oh-my!

Roddy White hears support from the crowd

15 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory

Roddy White: 'I'll be a Falcons for life'

Tweetcap: Falcons beat Redskins in OT

TEXANS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 48, Texans 21

How the Falcons hammered the Texans -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-21 win over the Texans

Devonta Freeman stars again for the Falcons

What the Falcons had to say after pummeling the Texans

9 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory

Jeff Schult'z column: Devonta Freeman, 7 TDs -- who didn't see that coming

Schraeder, Matthews keep Watt in check

Hankerson turns in a 100-yard receiving day (second of his career)

Houston's J.J. Watt tips hat to the Falcons

Former Falcons great Jessie Tuggle honored during Texans game

COWBOYS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 39, Cowboys 28

Falcons 39, Cowboys 28 -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 39-28 win over the Cowboys

Mark Bradley's short takes: Julio, Freeman and the defense

Devonta Freeman is catalyst for Falcons run game

QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say after beating Dallas

Julio Jones does it again: 12 catches, 164 yards and two touchdowns

Mark Bradley column: A dominant half shows what he Falcons could be

Offensive line cracked the run-game code

Ryan directed second-half fireworks show

Beasley help lead resurgence on defense

Where's Falcons wide receiver Roddy White?

GIANTS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 24, Giants 20

Falcons 24, Giants 20 -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned from Falcons' 24-20 win over the Giants

Mark Bradley column -- Don't stop believin': Dan Quinn's men are 2-0

A record day for Julio Jones: 13 receptions

Kroy Biermann: 'We're a ball-attacking team'

EAGLES GAME COVERAGE -- FALCONS 26, EAGLES 24

5 things we learned from Falcons' upset win over Eagles

Matt Ryan leads Falcons to 26-24 win over the Eagles

Jeff Schultz column: An impressive debut by Quinn's new Falcons

Mark Bradley column: A new year: The Falcons dig deep and hang on

Julio Jones moves into fifth on Falcons' all-time receiving list

Tevin Coleman powers new rushing attack

Ricardo Allen seals victory in first start at free safety

4 questions with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones after the game

Falcons' revamped offensive line shows positive signs

Falcons quotes after their victory over the Eagles

Falcons-Eagles: By The Numbers