NFL: Atlanta 30, Tampa Bay 28

ATLANTA, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers could not avoid having their playoff hopes buried for good Saturday afternoon, losing to Atlanta, 30-28.

Brad Johnson fell just shy of engineering a huge fourth-quarter comeback as the Buccaneers (7-8) nearly came all the way back from a 30-7 deficit. He was intercepted four times in the first half, but threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

His final scoring toss, an 11-yarder to Jameel Cook with 27 seconds remaining, pulled Tampa Bay within 30-28.

On the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Johnson came under a ferocious blitz and had his pass batted down at the line of scrimmage.

The latest loss capped a disappointing home season for the Bucs, who went just 3-5 at Raymond James Stadium. Four of those losses came by three points or fewer.

Michael Vick passed for two touchdowns for the Falcons (4-11), who came into the contest tied for the NFL's worst record.