Only 10 months out from the 2013 NFC title game, the Atlanta Falcons have nosedived. Interceptions and injuries will do that to a team. It's gotten so morose in the ATL, Freddie Falcon had to be talked down off the ledge.
Fortunately for the Dirty Birds, they have a fan who's comfortable around melancholy: Falcons Cheerleader Alice F. comes from a proud line of funeral home directors.
Alice told AtlantaFalcons.com:
Now in her third year with the Falcons, her fellow cheerleaders are familiar with the story but still are intrigued to know what she considers obvious questions, like if she's ever seen a dead body.
"Yeah, of course," she said with a laugh. "I’ve seen a lot of dead bodies."
She sees similar signs of life in the Georgia Dome.
Fortunately, Falcons fans have a new stadium and Alice to distract them from yet another season-ending injury.
Fellow NFC South bottomfeeder Tampa Bay's could use a funeral of their own, but instead they punish their cheerleaders further by sending them through to a haunted house.
Elsewhere in the division, the New Orleans Saints have plenty to smile about with their head coach back.
The 2013 season's biggest surprise lies in the NFC South as the Carolina Panthers have ripped off a resounding 4-game winning streak, as QB Cam Newton is finally playing like he did in college.
It's O.K., Falcons fans. Just keep your eyes off the field.