FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are embracing winning ugly after stopping their five-game losing streak against Tampa Bay and then following that up with a cliff-hanger against the Carolina Panthers.

They will try to keep things moving as they host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

“We still have a long way to go,” Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones said. “We have to continue to keep working. That’s what championship teams do, they find a way to win. It doesn’t matter how you do it. It doesn’t matter if it’s ugly or if you blow people out. Just find a way to win.”

Wide receiver Roddy White’s final reception in the Falcons’ 19-17 win over the Panthers went for 11 yards and moved Atlanta onto the Panthers’ side of the field with just under five minutes to play.

A few plays later, kicker Matt Bryant connected on a 44-yard field goal that ultimately wound up being the game winning points.

White’s catch also put the 10-year veteran over 10,000 yards — 10,002 to be exact — receiving for his career.

“Ten thousand yards, it’s great, it’s a good achievement,” White said. “Some of the guys came over and gave me a nice hug, so it’s good. But to win is more gratifying. I would rather win the division and go to the playoffs and things like that than any kind of individual achievement,” he said. “But it’s a good achievement and it speaks volumes about going out and playing consistent football for the last 10 years.”

White, 33, entered the game needing 73 yards to become the 42nd player in NFL history to reach the 10,000-yard plateau. He entered the season as the Falcons’ all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

Former Pro Bowler Terance Mathis ranks second in team history with 7,349 receiving yards.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan lauded White’s accomplishment.

“I just want to say how proud I am of Roddy for passing the milestone that he has,” Ryan said. “Certainly he’s shown great longevity throughout his career and has made a huge impact on my own career, so (I) couldn’t be happier for him.”

The Falcons needed White’s catch to help propel them into a tie for first place in the NFC South.

“If you’re in first place, that’s where you want to be,” Falcons guard Justin Blalock said.

Even if it’s with a losing record. Even if they needed to block a 63-yard field-goal attempt to secure a dramatic victory over Carolina. The Falcons’ second straight victory, coupled with the Saints’ loss to the Bengals, left them tied for first place at 4-6 atop the NFC South.

“I think it’s good,” said Ryan. “It’s been a different year, for sure. But you play to be relevant in November and December, and as quirky as this year has been, we’re relevant.”

The Falcons, who still haven’t beaten a team with a winning record, will get that chance against the Browns, who are 6-4.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of the guys,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “It wasn’t pretty at times, but we got some plays made in critical times and as you guys know, winning in the NFL is not easy.”

Ryan was clutch on the game-winning drive.

“I thought it was guys making plays under pressure,” Smith said. “Matt did a very good job running our no-huddle offense throughout the ballgame. We were a little bit more in an up-tempo situation in that sequence, but it was great to see Matt and Harry (Douglas) connect. We’ve missed some games with Harry through the season and it was good to have him back out there.”

REPORT CARD VS. PANTHERS

PASSING OFFENSE: B — Matt Ryan completed 31 of 45 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown. He finished with a passer rating of 91.7. He tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to White. Ryan rallied the offense and drove them down for a field goal. In the 12-play, 54-yard drive, he connected with wide receiver Harry Douglas three times for gains of 12, 9 and 8 yards. Overall, he completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards during the clutch scoring drive, which stalled at Carolina’s 26 and set up Matt Bryant’s 44-yard field goal. White, Jones and Harry Douglas helped to carry the offense. They caught 18 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. Devin Hester came to Douglas’ defense in the big fight, but then had a costly fumble. He had three catches for 43 years. Tight end Levine Toilolo had a big 20-yard catch to set up White’s touchdown.

RUSHING OFFENSE: D — The Falcons rushing attack was thwarted as they ran for just 86 yards on 27 carries. It’s pretty porous when you can’t run out of your power formations. Devonta Freeman had a 15-yard run, the team’s longest of the day. Steven Jackson rushed for 41 yards on 17 carries. It was the third straight game that he had more than 15 carries. The line didn’t open any holes in the run game. The revamped offensive line continues to develop.

PASS DEFENSE: D — Second-year cornerback Robert Alford suffered a wrist injury that must be pretty serious. He didn’t return to the game. Robert McClain and Desmond Trufant gave up touchdown passes. Trufant was in position and Kelvin Benjamin just stayed with a bobbled ball longer. McClain got caught peeking into the backfield. Kemal Ishmael and Trufant had interceptions. Dwight Lowery finished with six tackles. Paul Worrilow and Dezmen Southward had a sack each.

RUSH DEFENSE: C — The Panthers rushed for 106 yards on 25 carries (4.2 per carry). Jonathan Babineaux had a strong game with three tackles and one tackle for a loss. Paul Solai also added three tackles. Worrilow led the Falcons in tackles with nine. Prince Shembo played 23 of 66 snaps (35 percent) and finished with four tackles. Joplo Bartu played 24 snaps (36 percent) and also had four tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A-minus — Kicker Matt Bryant was the star for the Falcons as he made field goals of 34, 42, 29 and 44 yards. The blocked field-goal attempt at the end and Bryant’s leg helped to secure this victory. Also, Matt Bosher boomed punts of 60 and 59 yards to flip the field position when the Falcons were twice backed up.

COACHING: D — The offense is becoming too predictable. The Panthers were ready for the Falcons’ power running formation and jumped all of the bubble screens they tried to throw to Julio Jones. The defense was respectable against the run, but nearly blew the game as it gave up two fourth-quarter touchdown drives and nearly let the Panthers get back into field-goal range at the end. Also, the coaches didn’t go for a two-point conversion after going up 15-3, a decision that nearly cost them the game.