Falcons' 5-0 start is the second best in franchise history

This 5-0 start is not only worth celebrating because it puts the Falcons in excellent position for a playoff berth and perhaps an NFC South title, but because it is now officially the second best to a season in the team's long history.

Atlanta's narrow, nerve-wracking 25-19 victory over Washington ensured they'll stand alone in first place in the NFC South this week, sweep the NFC East, and make a little franchise history. The last time the Falcons started 5-0 or better was 2012, when the team went 8-0 en route to a 13-3 overall record and NFC South title.

If the Falcons want to match 2012's magical start, they'll need to win their next three games. If you're wondering about how this team's 5-0 start stacks up against that team, which narrowly lost in the NFC Conference Championship back in 2012, it's pretty favorable. For comparison's sake, the Falcons in 2012 had scored 148 points and allowed 113 points, while the 2015 Falcons have scored 162 points and allowed 112 points, which bodes well for their future success.

What else bodes well? This was easily the Falcons' worst game of the season and they still managed the win, with more manageable games against the Saints and other middling teams approaching. I'm not saying they will match or exceed that 8-0 start, but it's certainly within the realm of possibility, and that's pretty damn exciting.

Celebrate away here.