CASPER
New member
ATLANTA – The Falcons hushed up Raheem Morris.
There's no more talk about Tampa Bay being the best team in the NFC — at least for now.
Michael Turner ran for two early touchdowns and Atlanta made a gutty goal-line stand in the closing minutes to preserve a 27-21 victory Sunday, claiming sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
"Well, we can't say we we're the best team right now," said Morris, the Buccaneers' brash young coach. "We do not have the least amount of losses, so that would not be an accurate statement this week."
Give the Bucs credit, though.
They fell behind 14-0 early on and came back. They trailed 27-14 late in the third quarter and made a game of it. If not for LeGarrette Blount getting stuffed by Thomas DeCoud on fourth-and-1 at the Falcons 2, Tampa Bay might have pulled out another close win.
"They play with a lot of heart and desire," Atlanta cornerback Dunta Robinson said.
But it's the Falcons (6-2) who now have the division lead all to themselves, one game ahead of the Buccaneers and the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints (both 5-3).
There's not a lot of time to savor the key divisional win. The AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens (6-2) will be at the Georgia Dome on Thursday night.
"In college when we played on a Thursday night, it seemed like we had a bye the week before so we had ample time to prepare," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "Obviously, they have a defense that does a lot of things and they have a lot of talented guys. We are going to have our work cut out for us."
At least the Falcons are coming off a victory. Tampa Bay had a shot after a pass interference penalty on William Moore moved the ball deep into Atlanta territory. Three more plays later, the Bucs were a yard short of the first down and 2 yards from the end zone.
