Despite a rapid improvement, the Falcons were not going to finish the 2015 regular season undefeated. Thursday night's divisional game against New Orleans, with emotions running high at the Super Dome, presented a perfect opportunity for the Falcons to turn in a sloppy performance.
That is exactly what happened in the Falcons' 31-21 loss. Luckily, the team is packed full of veterans who have experienced a minor pitfall or two.
"It was a tough night," Matt Ryan said, via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I don't think there's a loss of identity or anything like that.