5 things we learned about the Falcons on Thursday

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a first down reception in the fourth quarter under pressure from Brandon Meriweather #22 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 20, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New York Giants 24-20. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

FLOWERY BRANCH — Here's what we learned on Thursday about the Falcons (5-1), who play the Tennessee Titans (1-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

  1. Stopping the tight end. After letting Saints tight end Ben Watson get loose for a career-high 127 yards receiving, the Falcons have some plans to stop Tennessee tight ends Delanie Walker and Anthony Fasano. Check out the story here.
  2. Julio Jones is fresh. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is no longer on the injury report. The break was good for him. "He looked good," offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. "The time off helped." Here's Thursday's story on Julio.
  3. Early risers. The AJC batmobile pulled into the media lot at 7:37 a.m. and the coaches' parking lot was already full. The must get in around 6 a.m. They usually leave after 9 p.m. Coaches put in long hours.
  4. Person appears set to go. Center Mike Person fully participated in practice and has suffered no set backs while coming back from his ankle injury.
  5. Mariota did not practice. The Falcons may want to go ahead and start getting ready for Zach Mettenberger.

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How did the Falcons get to 5-1?

Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from their 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).

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