A month ago, a postseason return for the first time since 2017 looked well on its way for the Atlanta Falcons. Following a Nov. 3 home win over the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta sat at 6-3 with a two-game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South race.

With 9:46 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Facons faced a third-and-1 from their own 39-yard line. Star receiver Drake London sprinted from the left side of the formation to the right,