On Sunday in the Georgia Dome, the Bucs will travel north to play in what could be a hit or miss matchup.  One paramount showdown is what describes this matchup.  Can the Falcons get back in the playoffs, and can the Bucs keep their precious slot?  Much will be decided on Sunday afternoon in this down-to-the-wire NFC South race.

After their loss on the road in Charlotte, the Tampa Bay Buccanneers are probably feeling pretty low and are wanting to get what would be a gratifying win over the Falcons.  That loss to the Panthers will make them work that much harder and be that much rougher against the mighty Falcons.  The key for every team playing the Atlanta Falcons is to keep it close in the first quarter.  If they can do that, the team has a shot at winning the game.  The other big key is to keep a close eye on Michael Turner.  He is having one memorable year and wants to end it  with a shocking playoff run.

For my Falcons, that road loss to New Orleans might be what they think about all offseason.  They had the lead and the ball with three minutes left in the game but made the wrong choice by punting it away.  That final punt might have cost them a playoff spot.  Coach Mike Smith thought his defense could hold up against the rapid Saint's offense.  He realized though that he has some work to do.  Matt Ryan did a tremendous job by driving the ball down the field for touchdowns when his team really needed but couldn't get that much needed first down on their last drive of the game.  I think for Atlanta, the equation is pretty simple: Go out there and win the rest of your games and hope the Cowboys lose them all. 

I am pretty confident though that the Falcons will get it done on Sunday.  This season, they are 5-1 in Atlanta with one close loss to Denver.  The NFC South has the best record in the whole NFL on home turf.