ATLANTA -- Michael Turner scored two early touchdowns, and the Falcons held off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a gutty goal-line stand, taking over sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 27-21 victory Sunday.
Turner rushed 24 times for 107 yards, including scoring plays of 2 and 10 yards that gave Atlanta (6-2) an early 14-0 lead. The Falcons were hanging on at the end against the Bucs (5-3), whose coach, Raheem Morris, had proclaimed his team the best in the NFC.
Not on this day. Tampa Bay had fourth-and-1 from the Atlanta 2 with less than 3 minutes remaining, but LeGarrette Blount was stuffed by Thomas DeCoud on a run over right tackle. Turner picked up the necessary first down to run out the clock on the Falcons' fourth consecutive victory over the Bucs.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
