Falcons have eyes on NFC South title

Falcons coach Mike Smith noted that the Falcons (2-3) are just one game behind the Carolina Panthers (3-2) in the NFC South.

The New Orleans Saints (2-3) and Tampa Bay (1-4) are also off to slow starts.

“There’s a lot of football left to be played,” Smith said. “Our number one goal is to win the NFC South because that’s the cleanest way into the second season (playoffs).”

In recent history, at least one team has started off the season hot and taken early control of the division.

Last season, Carolina won seven straight after starting 1-3 on their way to a 12-4 mark.

In 2012, the Falcons opened the season 8-0 and finished 13-3 to claim the division.

“This is a very competitive division,” Smith said. “You can look at the records of the teams right now and see that it’s going to be another competitive year.”

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