Falcons On Hot Streak Despite Recent Ugly Wins

ATLANTA – The Falcons may be looking more like a playoff team in the standings than on the field.

Atlanta (7-4) has won five of six. There have been some struggles, including Sunday’s 24-14 win over Minnesota. The Falcons led the Vikings 17-0 and needed a goal-line stand to stop the Vikings’ comeback.

One week earlier, the Falcons led Tennessee by 20 points before winning 23-17.

A favorable schedule could help the Falcons, who were No. 6 in the NFC playoff standings before Monday night’s Saints-Giants game.

The Falcons still play three teams – Carolina, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay – who are a combined 13 games under .500.

This week they will face the Houston Texans, who are missing their top two quarterbacks.