The Atlanta Falcons have begun their off-week, giving them a little time to savor their last-second comeback win over the Chicago Bears and a two-game winning streak.

Elam makes up for miss to give Falcons win

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith predicts that Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bears will be a very physical one. Smith says the Falcons think they have to be able to run the ball against everybody. He wants to construct a winning plan that emphasizes the running game.

Aaron Rodgers played hurt and played hard. But he was upstaged by Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.

By the time their 24-9 victory against Atlanta ended Sunday, the Panthers were without their starting tackles - and down to five healthy offensive linemen.

Steve Smith broke two tackles and raced 56 yards for a touchdown, then did perhaps his most important work. Nearly two months after he broke teammate Ken Lucas’ nose with a sucker punch in training camp, Smith retrieved the ball and handed it to Lucas on the sideline.

Matt Ryan won’t say how far he can throw the football. What matters to Ryan is that Roddy White scored a 70-yard touchdown on their long-distance connection in the first quarter of the Atlanta Falcons’ win last week against Kansas City. The ball sailed 57 yards in the air.