Falcons squander a chance to take control in NFC South. Now it's a 3-way tie for first place

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

The Atlanta Falcons squandered a huge chance to bring a bit of clarity to the muddled NFL South.

Now, their hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017 are much more convoluted heading into the final month of the season.

The Falcons (6-7) find themselves in a three-way tie for the lead of the NFL’s weakest division with New Orleans and Tampa Bay after a last-minute loss to the Buccaneers.