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NEW ORLEANS (AP) The regular season-ending matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints symbolizes the NFLs efforts to promote parity. Neither team has a winning record, yet both are still playing meaningful football. The Falcons (7-9) and Saints (8-8) remain mathematically alive for an NFC playoff spot heading into their meeting in the Superdome on Sunday. Thankfully, luckily, we still got a chance, Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu said.Winning the game wont be enough by itself. But if Tampa Bay (8-8) slips up at Carolina (2-14), the winner of the Falcons-Saints game will win the NFC South. ADVERTISEMENT If the Buccaneers win, the Falcons, whove lost three of their last four, will be eliminated. The Saints, however, would still have a path to a wild-card spot with a win over Atlanta and lo ses by both Seattle and Green Bay. The thankful thing for us is at least we have an opportunity, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. A little bit is obviously out of our control, but what we do control is a huge game. Prepare for the Saints. Go down there Sunday and lets see what happens.Mathieu, who grew up in New Orleans, conceded hed become nervous the Saints might slip out of playoff contention in early December after theyd lost three straight and five of seven. Any time you lose two or Damarious Randall Jersey three games in a row, you can kind of see your goals slipping away from you, Mathieu said.The Saints lost six games this season by eight or fewer points. The lengthy and ongoing injury-related absences of key players, , hasnt helped.But rather than regret what might have been, Mathieu emphasized how much better than the alternative it has been to show up for work this week knowing that all is not lost at least, not yet. And thats because the Saints have won three of their past four.Its a damn good feeling, given everything weve kind of been through the injuries and the late-game collapses, Mathieu said. Its cool to be in this position.UNDER CENTERWhile the Saints have been increasingly pleased by quarterback Derek Carrs play during the past month, theres , where Taylor Heinicke has alternated with Desmond Ridder this season.With Ridder benched last month for the second time this season, Heinicke made his second straight start at Chicago in Week 17. Heinicke completed 10 of 29 pa ses for 163 yards in snowy and windy conditions, and was during a lopsided lo s to the Bears.After Heinicke left the game with an ankle injury that has clouded his status for this week, Ridder threw another interception.Its been an up and down year. There certainly has been change in that (QB) room, Smith said, but added that he still has faith in whoever takes the field in New Orleans.Carr hasnt mi sed a start, but has been knocked out of three games this season with shoulder and rib injuries, along with two concu sions. At times his play was so erratic he was .But he has played some of his best football during the past month, completing 73% of his pa ses for 853 yards and 10 touchdowns while being intercepted just twice.Hes been performing much better over the last month, Saints coach Dennis Allen said. I think a lot of that is health related.SCOREBOARD WATCHINGSmith said he wont ask his players to ignore any scores posted on the scoreboard, especially Tampa Bays game at Carolina. Again, everybodys personality is different, Smith said. Thats not going to affect how the game goes for us. ... Obviously, if you win, youre gonna want to know if youre playing next week or not. But no, that doesnt bother me.Allen would rather his team block out news around the league while theyre playing.None of those other things matter if we dont take care of busine s, Allen said. What we do control is how we go out and play against Atlanta.YOUTH MOVEMENTThe Falcons have given rookies such as safety DeMarcco Hellams, cornerback Clark Phillips III and defensive lineman Zach Harrison bigger roles in the second half of the season. Hellams and Phillips have moved into the starting lineup while sharing time with safety Richie Grant and cornerback Jeff Okudah. Harrison has all of his three sacks this season in the last three games.When you look at a kid like (Harrison), you know he got better this year, a sistant head coach for defense Jerry Gray Trevon Coley Jersey said. And hes going to continue to get better. Weve got some guys doing the same thing. Clarks going to get better. DeMarccos going to get better. I mean, you can see that those young guys are actually getting better.The development of Harris was especially important after the Falcons lost top defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and Kentavius Street to injuries.___AP Sports Writer Charles Odum contributed to this report.___AP NFL: