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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Ten games into the season, the Atlanta Falcons find themselves with exactly the same record as a year ago.Yet it feels a whole lot different.The Falcons (6-4) head into their bye week leading the NFC South and exuding plenty of confidence, even coming off a discouraging loss at Philadelphia.We all know this is a pretty special group to be a part of, coach Dan Quinn said. You can feel their connection, their tightness, how bad they want to go for it.At this point last season, the Falcons were also 6-4. But they had lost three games in a row -- none to teams that would make the playoffs. They were already out of the division race, having fallen far behind a Carolina team that was 10-0 and would reach the Super Bowl.Atlantas losing streak would grow to six games, and a season that started with such promise ended at 8-8.Quinn keeps insisting that his team learned some valuable lessons from its 2015 collapse, and indeed these Falcons look far more capable of reaching the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.While the 24-15 loss to the Eagles was a definite step back, the offense remains the most productive in the NFL (averaging 32 points per game) and seems to have found its groove in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. The young defense -- which has started as many as four rookies -- is setting the sort of fast, aggressive tone that Quinn wants on that side of the line.In perhaps the most telling sign of where this team believes it is heading, the coaches and players all consider the bye week to be the midpoint of the season.In other words, they plan on playing up to four games beyond the regular season, which would mean a trip to the Super Bowl.You have to get rest this week and have a mindset that youre not preparing for the last six games of the season, but the mindset to play nine or 10 more, said quarterback Matt Ryan, who is having the best season of his nine-year career. Thatll be my message to everybody. Keep moving, but let your body and mind get right.The Falcons certainly hold a far more promising position in the NFC South than they did in 2015. The Panthers have slumped to 3-6, while Tampa Bay and New Orleans are struggling at 4-5, leaving Atlanta with a fairly comfortable 1+-game lead in the division race.The rest of the schedule looks highly favorable, as well. Four of the last six games are at the Georgia Dome, which will be replaced next season by a $1.4 billion retractable-roof stadium under construction next door. Kansas City (7-2) is the only remaining opponent with a winning record.The week off comes at a time when several key players are trying to get over injuries. Running back Tevin Coleman has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, but Quinn is confident that hell be ready to return when the Falcons host Arizona on Nov. 27. Punter Matt Bosher is contending with a recurring hamstring issue, but the extra week of rest gives him a chance to recover for the next game.The outlook isnt quite as clear for cornerback Desmond Trufant, the teams top coverage defender. He missed the last game with a left shoulder injury, and theres been speculation he could be done for the season. But Quinn said hes absolutely hopeful that Trufant will play again this season.The defense has gone through some growing pains, most notably getting gashed in the running game by the Eagles. But there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.After a disappointing rookie season, Vic Beasley has emerged as a pass-rushing force with 9+ sacks, tied for third in the league. Rookies Deion Jones, DeVondre Campbell and Keanu Neal are having a huge impact, as is second-year tackle Grady Jarrett.We still have a ways to go in improvement on our tackling and making sure our fits are exactly on point, Quinn said. We are gaining confidence in those players and how we like to play.Neal said the loss to the Eagles will be a huge motivating factor when Atlanta returns from its break.Were going into the bye week and it doesnt feel too good, he said. But its going to help us in the long run. Two weeks with that bitter taste in our mouth and we are going to come back ready to go.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Jose Ramirez Indians Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Toby Harrah Indians Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/1528u-bob-ojeda-jersey-indians.html . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Willie Mays Hayes Indians Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Carlos Baerga Jersey . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. WASHINGTON -- The San Diego Padres three-city road trip didnt begin well. Earning their first series victory against the Washington Nationals since 2011 is helping to turn it around.Alex Dickerson and Ryan Schimpf hit back-to-back homers off Shawn Kelley in the eighth inning and the Padres added four runs off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth to beat the Nationals 10-6 on Sunday.Weve been on the road for a little bit, and its definitely good to come here against a team like this and get two wins out of it, said Schimpf, whose team suffered a four-game sweep in St. Louis before winning two of three in Washington.Ryan Buchter (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the victory.With the game tied at 6, Wil Myers drew a one-out walk off Papelbon and moved to second on a wild pitch before Yangervis Solartes RBI single. The Padres added two more singles to load the bases, setting up Alexei Ramirezs three-run double.Nationals manager Dusty Baker then relieved Papelbon (2-3), who was booed after giving up his first runs since June 12.Not to make excuses, I dont like to use my closer three days in a row and this is three days in a row for Pap, Baker said. But we didnt have a choice. The ball wasnt coming out today the way it had been since he came back from the injury.Papelbon, who hadnt pitched on three consecutive days since May 29-31, insisted he was not tired.I think just location, Papelbon said. Coming in there, a situation where weve got to preserve everything we can, and every pitch matters in that situation. One pitch away from getting out of that. Boiled down to missed location on Solarte and he was able to just get enough barrel on the ball to have that one drop right in front of (outfielder Michael A.) Taylor.The Nationals led 6-4 before Kelley, who entered to start the eighth, yielded consecutive home runs. It was the ninth home run in July for Schimpf, a Padres record for a rookie in a calendar month. San Diego also extended a franchise record with its 22nd consecutive game with a home run.Everyone played their part today and everyone came through, Ramirez said. The eighth inning was just as important as the ninth tying it and it allowed us to keep fighhting in the game.ddddddddddddWashington recalled top prospect Lucas Giolito before the game. The right-hander, making his third career start, gave up four runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings, then was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse along with Taylor after the loss.San Diego start Christian Friedrich gave up five runs and six hits in 3 innings. The Padres bullpen combined to allow three hits and a walk in 6 innings.You get a short outing from your starter and he didnt quite have his stuff today, and the bullpen comes up with six innings and gives up one run, Padres manager Andy Green said. It was a borderline-dominant effort from them.FORGETTABLE PLAYSan Diegos fourth-inning rally was halted when Washington catcher Wilson Ramos picked Derek Norris off first base with the bases loaded and one out. Norris established a big lead with the shift on, but first baseman Daniel Murphy snuck in behind him to take Ramos throw.Its no small thing, and honestly, its borderline embarrassing when things like that happen on a baseball field, Green said. Its not on him or any person in particular, but were better than that.GLOVER OPTIONEDWashington optioned RHP Koda Glover to Triple-A Syracuse. Glover pitched two scoreless innings for the Nationals last week in his first major league action.TRAINERS ROOMPadres: OF Melvin Upton Jr., a possible trade deadline target for contending teams, was not in the lineup. I think theres a lot swirling around him right now, and it just felt like the right time to put him down and let him have a day of rest, Green said.Nationals: The team said RHP Aaron Barrett, who underwent Tommy John surgery in September, suffered a right elbow fracture Friday and will have surgery Monday.UP NEXTPadres: San Diego begins the final stop on a 10-game road trip when it opens a three-game series against Toronto on Monday. Colin Rea (5-4, 5.01) faces the Blue Jays for the first time.Nationals: Gio Gonzalez (6-8, 4.53) starts Tuesday at Cleveland as Washington begins a nine-game road trip after playing 15 of its last 19 at home. ' ' '