FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After blowing a 21-point lead to the Detroit Lions in London, the Atlanta Falcons are 2-6 at the halfway point over their bye week but the still harbor hopes of getting back into the race in the watered down NFC South.

Last season, they were 2-6 and on their way to 4-12 after eight games.

The Falcons opened the season looking like a team ready to rebound from last season’s 4-12 debacle with a vengeance.

They pulled out thrilling 37-34 overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints in the opener.

They had a tough time against the defending AFC North champion Cincinnati, before shellacking Tampa Bay 56-14.

The descent started in Minnesota.

The Falcons were in a tough battle and took a 28-27 lead into the fourth quarter. The defense couldn’t stand up to a rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and were gashed for plays of 29, 22 and 15 yards on the game-winning touchdown drive.

With linemen Justin Blalock, Joe Hawley and Lamar Holmes out of the game with injuries, the Falcons offense couldn’t keep up in the shootout.

Then things started to unravel.

The Falcons blew a 10-point late third quarter lead against the New York Giants and loss 30-20.

The Falcons battled early and faded against Chicago in a 27-13 defeat and were manhandled by Baltimore, 29-7.

After getting mauled in Baltimore, the Falcons didn’t bother to return to Atlanta and headed straight for London. It was probably a good thing that they dodged their howling fans and the acerbic sports talk show radio hosts.

Then they blew the 21-point lead to the Lions in London.

The Falcons repeatedly referenced the weak NFC South as a reason for why they could get the season turned around.

A key will the continued improvement of the defense.

“I thought the first four games we were not very good at all other than the Tampa Bay game, which was kind of indifferent,” Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. “But the last four, I thought we made some strides particularly in the running game. We still continue to have problems with the pass rush there is no question about that.”

The Falcons are giving up 128 yards rushing per game, which ranked 24th heading into the Week 9 games.

“We’ve gotten better on the run,” Nolan said. “Hopefully that CONTINUES. We have not gotten better as far as sacking the quarterback. We have gotten better as far as pressuring and that needs to get better.”

Nolan is hoping that the linebacker play continues to improve.

“We’ve had some ups and downs,” Nolan said. “We’ve got a great attitude among the guys. (Prince) Shembo is banged up so that leaves us with only a couple of inside linebackers. On the outside, I believe that (Jonathan) Massaquoi, the last couple of weeks has become pretty active.”

The Falcons signed veteran safety Charles Godfrey to help with the back end of the defense. There have been blown coverages by second-year free safety Kemal Ishmael that have proven costly.

He was giving chase on a 74-yard pass play that Chicago was able to connect on and on a 59-yard touchdown that jump-started Detroit’s rally for 21-0.

“Kemal does an outstanding job in the running game,” Nolan said. “He’s helped us immensely in tackling. It’s very evident in watching him play that’s his strength.

“On the back end, he’s had a couple of rough days on a couple of things.”

Nolan noted that on the deep passes, Ishmael wasn’t solely at fault. Both Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford escaped the Falcons’ meek pass rush and broke contain on the left side of the scheme. Both had time to compose themselves and step into the big throws.

The Falcons are hoping that their revamped offensive line holds up and that the defense continues to improve.

If those two things happen, they could make a run in the NFC South were 8-8 or 8-7-1 may earn a playoff berth.

NOTES: After 524 snaps, 333 drop-backs and 305 pass attempts, QB Matt Ryan has completed 198 passes for 2,306 yards and is averaging 7.6 yards per completion. He has 20 dropped passes, which tied Detroit’s Matthew Stafford for second in the league. … RB Antone Smith injured his neck against Detroit, but said this week he was fine. … LT Jake Matthews has struggled while trying to play on an injured ankle injury. He is the 72nd (last) rated tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus and has given up four sacks, three hits and 19 quarterback hurries. … WR Julio Jones has 53 catches from being targeted 81 times 65.4 percent), but dropped six drops, including the crucial screen pass against Detroit. … WR Roddy White is the 75th rated wide receiver, catching 33 of the 58 passes on which he was targeted (56.9 percent), with five drops and average of 12.7 yards per catch.