http://players.brightcove.net/1345087319/default_default/index.html?videoId=5205256630001
FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Atlanta Falcons (6-3), coming off a 43-28 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are set to face the Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Friday:
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
1. Practice. The Falcons will hold practice at 11:15 a.m. today.
2. Injury report. Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (thigh) returned to practice on Thursday. Tight end Jacob Tamme (shoulder), running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring) and cornerback Desmond Trufant (shoulder) did not practice. Coach Dan Quinn said Tamme was 'likely out" for the game.
3. Sack police. The Falcons were notified by the league that defensive tackle Grady Jarrett's first sack against Tampa Bay was a tackle. Because Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston was scrambling, the league deemed that the play had turned into a running play. So, officially, the Falcons now have 20 sacks on the season, which is tied for 11th in the NFL.
4. Can offense improve? The Falcons have the best offense in the NFL. They are efficient, explosive, versatile and at times nearly unstoppable. Yet when coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and players say the offense can be better, they aren't just guarding against complacency. As many eye-popping numbers as the Falcons have produced on offense, they really haven't reached their full potential.
5. Fires force practice indoors. Smoke from the fires burning in North Georgia prompted the Falcons to move their Thursday practice to their indoor facility. "I didn't know what really was going on," Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said after the practice. "I thought they were joking about the smoke, then when I got outside I realized it wasn't a joke. I was glad we went inside. It felt healthier."
5 things we learned from the Falcons' rout of the Bucs
GAME EIGHT: Falcons 33, Packers 32
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 33-32 win over the Packers
Finally, the Falcons finish: 'We had to stop the bleeding'
5 things we learned from the Falcons loss to the Chargers
Dan Quinn's gamble with house-money backfires
6 penalties 'unacceptable' for Falcons offensive line
Philip Rivers confounds Falcons with short passes: 'He picked us apart'
Matt Ryan's late-game interception leads to overtime loss
PHOTOS: Chargers rally to beat Falcons
GAME SIX: Seahawks 26, Falcons 24
MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons didn't win, but they made one guy believe (me)
MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons got jobbed but did themselves proud
Matt Ryan's turnovers were costly
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle
Seattle slows down Falcons' running backs Freeman, Coleman
Ryan Schraeder, offensive line rebounds in second half
Julio Jones: 'It was just a missed call'
What the Falcons had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle
What Matt Ryan had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle
PHOTOS: Falcons at Seahawks in Seattle
5 things we learned from the Falcons upset of Super Bowl champs
MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons rock a rookie in the Rockies
What Dan Quinn have to say after the win over Denver
Coleman amassed 163 yards to power the offense
Vic Beasley has breakout game with 3.5 sacks
Kemal Ishmael moved to linebacker, led team in tackles
What the Falcons had to say after the win over the Broncos
Photos: Falcons battle the Broncos
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-33 win over the Panthers
Old pro Freeney shows new trick with Falcons
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers
Alford battled; Collins to return
Early view in NFC South isn't what most expected; Falcons on top
GAME THREE: Falcons 45, Saints 32
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 45-32 win over the Saints
Falcons, Saints protest with unity circle before game
REPORT CARD: Falcons earned high marks for drubbing Saints
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints
What Matt Ryan had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints
What the Falcons had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints
Keanu Neal makes strong debut for Falcons
Falcons' Deion Jones runs for glory, not survival, in return home
AJC POWER RANKINGS: Falcons best in NFC South?
5 things we learned from the Falcons' win over the Raiders
Trufant's heads-up play saves the day
Tight ends help to power offense
Weatherspoon plays strong in first start since 2013
Matthews, Schraeder held Mack sack-less
JEFF SCHULTZ: Falcons put on offensive show and win
What Matt Ryan had to say after beating the Raiders
What Dan Quinn had to say after the win over the Raiders
5 things we learned from the Falcons' loss to the Bucs
Falcons have a case of the "no-huddle" blues
REPORT CARD: Falcons can't 'gift' opponents 17 points
FILM REVIEW: Beasley missing in action
About the Author
