The Atlanta Falcons pulled within a game of the NFC South lead thanks to a 24-21 victory against the injury-plagued Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Tampa Bay kicker Patrick Murray was wide right on a 54-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.
The defending NFC champion Falcons (9-5) would win the division title if they defeat the New Orleans Saints (10-4) on Sunday and the Carolina Panthers (10-4) on December 31.
The Bucs (4-10), who entered the game without three injured defensive starters, had six more players ruled out after getting hurt during the game.
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (22 carries, 126 yards) provided a 24-14 margin with a 32-yard touchdown run on third-and-two with 7:58 remaining. The Bucs answered on Jameis Winston's 16-yard pass to Adam Humphries with 4:07 to play.
From there, Tampa Bay eventually regained possession when Bucs defensive tackle Clinton McDonald dumped quarterback Matt Ryan for a three-yard sack on third-and-nine just past the two-minute warning.
Winston completed three passes on Tampa Bay's final drive, driving the Bucs from their 29-yard line to Atlanta's 36, setting up Murray's unsuccessful attempt to force overtime.
Winston completed 27 of 35 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in his most efficient effort of the season. Ryan was 17 of 31 for 212 yards and one score.
