Atlanta Falcons, still in playoff hunt, are no longer in the NFC South driver’s seat

Eleven yards. That’s all that separated the Atlanta Falcons from prime position in the NFC South. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield found tight end Cade Otton for a touchdown to give the Bucs a 29-25 lead with 31 seconds remaining in the game. Atlanta would lose the game by that score, promoting Falcons head coach Arthur Smith to say, “We had plenty of opportunities in all three phases of the game,” during his postgame press conference. Along with a safety, there were two missed field goals. Opportunities indeed. Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith following the 29-25 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday, Dec. 10. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice Moments earlier with the score 22-17 and the Atlanta Falcons playing catchup, Falcons second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder found second-year receiver Drake London down the field on the longest pass play of the game. Three consecutive runs by second-year running back Tyler Allgeier put Atlanta in scoring position before Ridder scrambled to give the home team its first lead of the game, 23-22. A successful two-point conversion on a pass from Ridder to London put Atlanta ahead 25-22 with 3:23 remaining in the game. All is...