FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons lost 31-25 in overtime to the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday and now hold a 3-6 record through 10 weeks of play.
Their previous two opponents are a combined 16-4, and they lost those games by a combined seven points. As close as the matchups were, though, they leave the same bitter taste in the mouths of those dedicating every day to reaching a better outcome.
"We just lost the game. I don't feel great," Falcons wide receiver Drake London said. "So, (we've) just got to get over this hump. Try to bring some wins and try to get that first one, so we start to dominate."
London has been a standout weapon for the Falcons in these previous two games. In Week 9 against the New England Patriots, London caught nine passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Colts, London led the Falcons with six catches for 104 yards and another score.
His four touchdown catches set a new two-game career high for London, and they are the most by a Falcons player since 2020, when wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught four passes in Atlanta's first two games that season.
The noteworthy span comes amid a four-game losing streak, however, so the personal accolades don’t mean much.
Drake London is one of three Falcons with three receiving touchdowns and 100 receiving yards in a single game since 2000. Relive the big moments from the week 9 game against the New England Patriots through our favorite photos.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up prior to the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 prior to the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs out prior to the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates with Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 and teammates during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after getting a first down during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 reacts after a catch during the fourth quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 reacts after a catch during the fourth quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the fourth quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
At times this year, Atlanta has looked like a playoff-caliber team — and it did for spurts last Sunday against a good opponent. A lack of three-phase consistency, though, has prevented the Falcons from truly ascending, and their recent play has them moving in the wrong direction.
"It's frustrating, you know," Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss said. "I know this is a very capable team — us. I know we're talented. I know we've got coaches that work extremely hard and put good game plans together, and we got players that can go out and execute. But right now, it's just not happening consistently enough. So, it stings. It hurts."
The Falcons own wins against three 2024 playoff teams, including two that went to their respective conference's championship game. Yet, their six losses overshadow those moments of brilliance and have the Falcons in a precarious spot with eight games remaining on the schedule.
According to Stats Perform, only 10 teams since the NFL postseason era began in 1933 have started the year 3-6 or worse and continued playing after the regular season. The Athletic's 2025 NFL Playoff Simulator currently gives Atlanta a 5% chance at reaching the postseason.
Interestingly enough, these are not uncharted waters for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
In Morris' final year as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, he helped the team rally from a 3-6 start to the 2023 season to go 7-1 down the stretch and reach the postseason. He was also part of the now-famous 2012 Washington Commanders staff as the secondary coach, when they regrouped for a flawless 7-0 finish after a 3-6 start to make the playoffs.
"We'll be detailed. We'll be sharp. We'll practice," Morris said of how his group will handle this loss. "The guys do the right thing like they always do. They'll respond. We'll find a way to win this game next week."
It's worth noting both Washington and Los Angeles had Week 10 byes in those seasons, and their hot streaks started just after their breaks. Atlanta has no such opportunity coming, having already had their bye in Week 5.
No one fatal flaw has doomed Atlanta. Inefficiency in the red zone was a bright-red blemish for an otherwise smooth and dangerous offense early in the year. After ranking 29th through the first seven weeks of the season in red-zone offense, however, the Falcons have been the league's second-best red-zone unit since Week 8.
The offense deserves credit for its turnaround in that area, which is no easy feat. But another blemish has appeared.
Just as the Falcons have started punching the ball into the end zone, they've started stalling out before getting the opportunity. After ranking ninth in third-down conversion rate from Weeks 1-7, Atlanta has been the least-efficient team in the NFL on third down in Weeks 8-10.
"It's something we've got to figure out — will figure out," Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. "Watch film, figure it out. But yeah, we've got to be better. And it starts with me."
Because they've shown the ability to do each at separate times, it's still reasonable to hope the Falcons can put both parts together and play at a higher caliber for longer.
With a defense that has been revelatory this fall, that should be a formula for winning football. But so far, that has proven easier said than done. And now, the margin for error is gone.
"We're close," Elliss said. "But with six losses, we can't be close anymore. It's time to get over the hump and start stacking some wins."
