Falcons Still in Playoff Hunt Despite 5 Game Losing Streak

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – After a week off, the Atlanta Falcons returned to work on Monday.

Amazingly, they still have hope in the NFC South despite a five-game losing streak.

No one in pro football’s weakest division has a winning record midway through the season, providing the Falcons (2-6) with a glimmer of good news in what has been an otherwise dismal year.

Atlanta’s last game was an especially discouraging loss to the Detroit Lions in London, where the Falcons squandered a 21-0 lead. They didn’t have a game this past Sunday, so coach Mike Smith gave everyone the week off to recharge for the second half of the season.

Next up for the Falcons: A trip to Tampa Bay to face their division rival Buccaneers (1-7), the last team to lose to Atlanta.

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