NFC South: Falcons can knock Bucs out of playoff hunt with win vs. Saints

The Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints have spent much of the season at the bottom of the NFC South, but they've become two of the hottest teams in the NFL over the last month. The Falcons have won three games in a row, including a 27-24 upset over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17.

The Saints are even hotter, having won four straight games entering Sunday's finale in Atlanta. As for the two NFC South finalists, neither seems to want to take control of the division. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost four straight games but still have a chance to win another NFC South title in Week 18.

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The Buccaneers must defeat the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, and they need the Saints to beat the Falcons on Sunday to secure the division. That means Atlanta can knock Tampa Bay out of the playoff hunt by taking down New Orleans at home.

Meanwhile, the Panthers just need to beat the Bucs and to win their first division title since 2015. Check out the current division standings below.

NFC South standings ahead of Week 18

1. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

3. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)

4. New Orleans Saints (6-10)

The Falcons and the Saints will square off Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has helped turn things around for first-year head coach Kellen Moore, and the Saints will present a serious challenge for Atlanta.

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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFC South: Falcons can end Buccaneers playoff hopes in Week 18