Atlanta Falcons: State of the NFC South in Week 6

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) before their game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons

Record: 5-1
Position: 2nd
Week 6: L 31-21 @ New Orleans

The perfect start had to end at some point, but the last team anybody wanted to lose the undefeated streak to was New Orleans. A desperate, fired up Saints swept aside the Falcons on Thursday Night Football to give Dan Quinn his first loss as a head coach.

As well as the Saints played, the mistakes were all too frequent for the Falcons. A Matt Ryan fumble while dropping back on fourth down during Atlanta’s opening series set the tone for the game, which featured a blocked punt, five Falcons fumbles and countless drops.

But it was a bad day, and it happens. Playing away from the Georgia Dome on a short week is always tough, especially when it’s against the arch rivals who have nothing to lose. Quinn and his team need to clean up some issues on the mini bye week ahead of the Tennessee Titans up next.

Next: Carolina Panthers