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The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter and CineSport’s Noah Coslov preview Falcons-Vikings by looking back at the way the Packers beat Minnesota and by getting into Matt Ryan’s struggles.
FLOWERY BRANCH — Here are the five things we learned on Tuesday about the Falcons (6-4), who host the Minnesota Vikings (7-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
1. WELCOME TO DULLSVILLE: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan went all "Dullsville" on his radio show on 680 The Fan. He likes Kyle Shanahan. He's not hurt. Folks talking about his play and his fat contract go with the territory. He basically concluded that he just needs to play better.
2. VIKINGS PREP DAY: Spent most of the prepping for the Vikings and looking at their personnel. The Vikings don't hurt themselves. With 67 penalties for 532 nullified yards they are the least penalized team in the NFL. The Falcons are tied for 13th with 81 penalties for 684 nullified yards. Also, the Falcons have the No. 1 ranked defense against the run and will face the league's top rusher in Adrian Peterson.
3. PLAYOFFS: The Falcons have a 50.3% chance of making the playoffs, according to web site www.makeNFLplayoffs.com. They need to win 5 of the remaining 6 games to virtually clinch a playoff berth.
4. PRACTICE SQUAD MOVE: The Falcons signed tight end D.J. Tialavea to the practice squad and waived tight end Marcel Jensen on Tuesday. Tialavea, 6-4, 260 pounds, from Utah State has also spent time with Jacksonville and Buffalo ans was with the Falcons during training camp.
5. MEET THE FALCONS CHEERLEADERS: It was Meet the Falcons Cheerleaders day. Here's Ms. Kiva.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Here's how the Falcons reached the 6-4 mark after 10 games
Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from the Falcons' games this season after their disappointing 24-21 loss to the Colts on Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS GAME COVERAGE -- Colts 24, Falcons 21
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 24-21 loss to the Colt s
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER LOOK: How the Falcons lost to the Colts
Defense melted on key third down situation
9 comments from Dan Quinn on the loss to the Colts
What the Falcons had to say after the 24-21 loss
MATT RYAN: 'I've got to be better than that'
SAN FRANCISCO GAME COVERAGE -- 49ERS 17, Falcons 16
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 17-16 loss to the 49ers
How the 49ers beat the Falcons, 17-16
JEFF SCHULTZ: Latest Falcons' embarrassment is on Dan Quinn
Gabbert, 49ers make Falcons defense look weak
Weems provides brief spark with big returns
PHOTOS -- Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers
TAMPA BAY GAME COVERAGE -- Bucs 23, Falcons 20 in OT
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 23-20 loss to the Bucs
How the Falcons lost to the Bucs in OT
10 comments from Dan Quinn after the loss to the Bucs
Adams disagreed with overtime pass interference call
Matt Ryan's miscues help to gift the Bucs' 20 points
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons were saying after the 23-20 loss to the Bucs
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston bests his role model: 'Mr. Ryan'
Falcons defense holds up, but forces no turnovers
Falcons rallied behind wide receiver Julio Jones
Bucs rookie linebacker Alexander dedicates win to deceased brother
TENNESSEE GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 10, Titans 7
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans
BRADLEY: Falcons do enough to survive
10 comments from Dan Quinn after the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans
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
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
