Here’s what Falcons players had to say after the 24-21 win over the Buccaneers on Monday night:
Devonta Freeman, running back
On his play: "It was just all about finishing. Just trying to do whatever it takes to finish. That's what it was all about. I was just trying to do what I do. I have a lot of work to do. I still feel like we've got a lot of work to do. We have not played our best ball. That's a lot of football out there for us."
On the playoffs:"It just shows how talented we (are). We have great guys and competitors on our team. We just have to go out and take it one game at a time."
On his receiving: "It field good catching the ball out of the backfield and making things happen. Just play football. I had fun out there."
On running disrespectfully: "I have to go watch the tape. I was just running. I was just being Free. ... I can't watch myself when I'm performing. I think I was just being me."
Keanu Neal, strong safety
On the win: "It's huge. Having this type of games where you have to battle and show your resiliency that defines who you are as a team. I like these kind of games where you have to tough it out and fight to the finish."
On the forced fumble: "That was cool. It's all about getting the ball. That's one of the pillars of the program. So, that was a cool moment. We got the W, that's what really matters and I'm happy for that."
On the playoffs: "We don't even focus on that. You get a headache thinking about all that stuff. We just focus on what we have now. Celebrate tonight and tomorrow relax and then get ready for the next game. It's championship week again."
On the footing issue: "I'm not the type to make excuses. It was tough at times to get my footing. Each game you have to accept what it is and play."
On his cleats: "Yeah, I switched to (high) cleats."
Terron Ward, running back
On the run game: "After that first drive, we really commited to the run and we were successful with it."
On Freeman's juke move: "I just saw him hit the sideline. Free one-on-one against anybody, I'm taking Free."
Deion Jones, linebacker
On how the defense is playing: "We had some plays where we let them slide and that was on our accord. Those guys showed up and played and they did really good today. It's any given Sunday in this league. They still have a good quality team. Things just didn't happen their way this year, but I feel like those guys still can play. With all the things that went on today, I feel like we played really well and put our foot down when we had to and played fast."
On if there is any frustration on defense with so many games coming down to the final seconds: "No, not at all. We love being put in those situations. We always have our offense's back no matter what and just lining up and getting ready to play and keeping them out of the end zone. That's pretty much it."
On if there is any carryover from one big stop to the next play: "Yeah, for sure. We've been in that situation a few times this year and I feel like we handled it pretty well. Like I said, I couldn't be happier for my guys. We fought all the way to the end and that's the only thing that really matters."
On the key to slowing down Tampa Bay's running game: "Just playing fast and physical and sticking to our details – being in our gaps. They got some good runs. The running back did a good job, but overall just making tackles and getting them on the ground and being in our fits."
On the importance of this win for the possibility of winning the division and making the playoffs: "We don't put any game in front of the other. We just had to handle this one this week. It's always good playing in this division. We always know it's going to go to the end. It's going to be a hard fight and just getting ready for next week."
Takkarist McKinley, defensive end
On potentially clinching a playoff berth with one more win: "Like you just said, 'one game at a time,' That's all we can control. We can't control January, February, et cetera, et cetera. We can just control the game we got next."
On causing turnovers on defense: "Just keep attacking the ball. We've been saying all week, 'What's wrong?' So we end up getting one, probably two, I don't really remember. You know turnovers are key to the game. Plus-one in turnovers, plus-whatever in turnovers, your odds of winning are huge."
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