ATLANTA — The best team in the NFC? Not on this day.
Michael Turner scored two early touchdowns and the Atlanta Falcons held off Tampa Bay with a gutty goal-line stand, taking over sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 27-21 victory Sunday.
Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris had proclaimed his team the best in the NFC, and it looked like the Buccaneers might back him up after Michael Spurlock had an 89- yard touchdown on a kickoff return and quarterback Josh Freeman guided a drive that reached the Atlanta 2.
On fourth-and-1, Freeman faked a handoff to Ryan Purvis, a tight end lined up at fullback, and then gave it to LeGarrette Blount for a run over right tackle. But Thomas DeCoud charged up to stuff the play, and Coy Wire finished off Blount to make sure he couldn’t stretch out for a first down.
The ball went over to the Falcons (6-2), who ran out the clock. Tampa Bay fell to 5-3.
“We know how to win,” cornerback Dunta Robinson said. “This team has done a great job of finishing. When our backs are against the wall, we can find a way to win the football game.”
