'Like a Playoff Game!' Atlanta Falcons' Ryan Nielsen Stresses Importance of Game vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons are treating each week like a playoff game as they try to hold onto their NFC South lead.

The Atlanta Falcons are currently leading the NFC South, and while they may not have been the most impressive-looking team in the NFL this season, they are in strong position for a playoff spot entering Week 14.

In order to remain in this position, however, the Falcons need to keep winning, especially against divisional opponents. This week, Atlanta is hosting one such team in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has stressed the importance of this week's meeting, treating it like a "win-or-go-home" situation.

“Like this one is a playoff game," Nielsen said. "It’s the mindset this late in the season, and we’ve got to win every single one of them. Again, each game is one unit. Not one unit is bigger than any other, but the reason why this game is so big is we have an opportunity to go one up on these guys being a division game."

Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata (90) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium / © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

There are a few common characteristics of NFC South divisional games that Nielsen has noticed in his time as a coach, and he has seen plenty of them. He served on the staff of the New Orleans Saints from 2017-22 before joining the Falcons, so he is used to some physically-demanding matchups on the field.

"It’s just bigger in the division," Nielsen said. "I’ve been in a lot of these division games against this opponent, and every single one, it’s a physical, physical game. Generally, the most physical team is the one that comes out on top. The other part of that is the one that takes the football away the best. That’s typically what happens.”

Falcons LB Bud Dupree: 'Every Game is a Playoff Game'

Can the Falcons pick up their third-straight win on Sunday and inch ever closer to a playoff bid? Kickoff between Atlanta and Tampa Bay is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on CBS.