Under first-year coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons have surprised their fans with one gift after another long before the holiday season. There has been something new with each victory.

How surprising is it? Let us count the ways.

Here are seven ways the Falcons have pulled off the unexpected to get here:

SEPT. 7

Falcons 34, LIONS 21

A SHINY NEW RUNNING BACK

The Falcons figured they were onto something with the signing of free agent Michael Turner, but maybe not this. He broke out for 220 yards, a single-game record for the Falcons and the most yards on opening day by any NFL back since O.J. Simpson's 250 in 1973. Turner averaged a first down (10 yards) per carry.

SEPT. 21

Falcons 38, CHIEFS 14

A BRIGHT YOUNG QB

The Falcons got three more touchdowns from Turner, but it wasn't all conservative for the offense led by rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. In the course of a 24-0 scoring stretch, Ryan hit Roddy White for a 70-yard touchdown and a backflip in celebration of his longest catch in the NFL.

OCT. 5

Falcons 27, Packers 24

A MERRY ROAD VICTORY

The Falcons won their first road game of the year, their second in 13 road games and beat the Packers at Lambeau Field. Ryan played calmly, hitting White for 37 yards on the first play, threw two touchdowns, and was on his way to winning NFC offensive rookie of the month for October.

OCT. 12

Falcons 22, BEARS 20

A JOLLY COMEBACK

The Falcons got down the field in 11 seconds. After a squib kick, trailing 20-19, Ryan fired to Michael Jenkins on a sideline route for a 26-yard gain with 1 second left. That brought kicker Jason Elam on for a 48-yard game-winning field goal.

NOV. 2

Falcons 24, Raiders 0

A SHUTOUT WONDERLAND

The Falcons posted their first shutout in six years, holding the Raiders to three first downs and 77 yards. The Falcons baffled quarterback JaMarcus Russell into a 4-for-21 passing day, good for only 10 yards, and John Abraham sacked him three times.

NOV. 9

Falcons 34, Saints 20

A FROSTY PASS DEFENSE

Erik Coleman intercepted Drew Brees on the Saints' first play to foreshadow a three-interception day that cooled off the NFL's top passing offense. The Falcons held Brees out of the end zone until the fourth quarter and watched rookie Chevis Jackson return a pick 95 yards for a touchdown.

NOV. 23

Falcons 45, PANTHERS 28

A DELIGHTFUL PLAYMAKER

Rookie receiver Harry Douglas scored his first career touchdown, and then his second, and didn't stop until he had piled up 188 all-purpose yards, including a 61-yard punt return for a score and a 69-yard catch-and-run to set up the decisive touchdown.