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Falcons seek second straight win, visit Bucs

Dec 5, 2006 - 6:22 PM Atlanta (6-6) at Tampa Bay (3-9) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Falcons saw their playoff hopes end in the Sunshine State last season.

Fighting for another playoff berth, the Falcons visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in an NFC South matchup.

Last season, the Falcons got off to a 6-2 start before losing six of their last eight games to miss the playoffs. A 27-24 loss here to the Bucs on December 24 eliminated them from postseason contention.

The 2006 season has taken a similar path for the Falcons, who have lost four of their last five games following a 5-2 start. Atlanta is tied with the New York Giants, Philadelphia and Carolina in the wild card race.

After drawing a $10,000 fine for an obscene gesture following a home loss to New Orleans on November 26, Michael Vick threw for two touchdowns and ran for 59 yards to lead the Falcons to a 24-14 victory at Washington last Sunday.

Vick enters this contest needing 71 rushing yards to become the first quarterback in NFL history to reach 1,000 on the season.

Vick will be looking for more production in the passing game since he has gone just 17-of-40 for 206 yards and two scores in his last two contests.

It also could be a record-setting day for Falcons kicker Morten Andersen, who is seven points shy of breaking Gary Anderson's all-time mark of 2,434 points. The 46-year-old Andersen has made 17-of-20 field goals and all 19 of his extra points in 10 games this season, increasing his total to 2,428 points.

In a 14-3 victory over the Bucs on September 17, Vick rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown while completing 10-of-15 passes for 92 yards and a score. Warrick Dunn also rushed for 134 yards and cornerback DeAngelo Hall registered two interceptions.

After winning the division last season, the Bucs would clinch last place with a loss in this contest.

The Bucs have lost their last two games, getting outscored by a lopsided 58-13 margin.

Rookie Bruce Gradkowski completed 20-of-34 passes for 175 yards and three interceptions in the Bucs' 20-3 loss at Pittsburgh last Sunday. Tampa Bay only averted the shutout when Matt Bryant kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired.