5 things every Falcons fans needs to know Friday

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FLOWERY BRANCH — Here are the five things you need to know on Thursday about the Falcons (6-7), who play at Jacksonville (5-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday at EverBank Field. The Falcons have dropped six straight and seven of the past eight games.

1. PRACTICE: The Falcons are set to hold a light practice at 11:30 p.m. Coach Dan Quinn will address the media followed by an open locker room period.

2. GREAT GAME PLAN: Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones said that there has been some real collaboration t his week and that he really likes the game plan for Jacksonville. The locker room has been the upbeat for the first time in weeks.

3. SHANAHAN ON THE OFFENSE:  Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said that the Falcons must find a way to improve on offense.

4. DIMARCO HONORED: On Tuesday, December 15, the 6th Annual Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Dinner fullback Patrick DiMarco was honored as the 2015 Atlanta Falcons Walter Payton Man of the Year.

5. SERIES RECORD: This will be the sixth regular-season meeting with Jacksonville. The Jaguars hold a 3-2 advantage. The Falcons won the last meeting, 41-14 on Dec. 15, 2011 at the Georgia Dome. The Jaguars won the last meeting in Jacksonville, 13-7, on Sept. 9, 2007.

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MEET THE CHEERLEADERS: Alexandria

Curtis Compton / www.ajc.com Falcons cheerleader Alexandria, a two-year veteran of the squad, is a registered nurse. (Curtis Compton/CCompton@ajc.com)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter