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FLOWERY BRANCH — Here's everything you need to know about the Falcons (5-0), who play the New Orleans Saints (1-4) at 8:25 p.m. Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, this morning.
- Big practice day. The Falcons practice today at 1:15 p.m. Coach Dan Quinn will speak to the media at 12:20 p.m. before the open locker room session.
- Matt Ryan update: Ryan will speak today. We'll have to find out why he was so off target against the Redskins. Ryan completed 24 of 42 passes for 254 yards and finished with a 55.1 passer rating. It was Ryan's lowest passing rated game since he had a 48.6 in Week 2 against Cincinnati last season. It was Ryan's lowest passer rating in a victory during his pro career. The Falcons beat Tampa Bay 13-10 on Dec. 14, 2009 when he had a 57.5 passer rating.
- Run defense. Defensive coordinator Richard Smith will discuss the run defense, which stuffed the Redskins. The defense held them to 2.1 yards per carry. They were the No. 1 rushing team in the league at 139.1 yards per game.
- Series record: This will be the 92nd regular-season meeting with the Falcons, who hold a 48-43 lead over the Saints. Before last season's two-game swept, the Saints were 13-3 since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2006.
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Robert Alford returned an interception for a touchdown in overtime to lift the Falcons over the Washington Redskins and help Atlanta remain unbeaten. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter reports.
How did the Falcons get to 5-0?
Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from their victories over the Redskins (25-19 in OT), Texans (48-21), Cowboys (39-28), Giants (24-20) and Eagles (26-24).
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
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