Making the playoffs after a season of turmoil is just fine. But now, with a taste of success, they want the whole thing.

They want to bring the first Vince Lombardi trophy to Atlanta.

With the Vikings treating the Football like a hot potato, the Falcons capitalized on four turnovers to win 24-17 Sunday at the Metrodome.

"I don't think there is a team out there that we can't compete with," center Todd McClure said. "I'm looking forward to it; it's going to be a lot of fun."

The win secured at least a wild-card playoff berth for the Falcons, their first trip to the playoffs in three years. They could still claim the NFC South crown after Carolina's loss Sunday night. The Falcons (10-5) host St. Louis on Sunday. The Panthers (11-4) play at New Orleans.

Jubilant players made one thing clear: Just making the playoff is not enough.

"Especially for the older guys, you don't know how many times you are going to have this opportunity to get in again," McClure said. "So we have to make the most of it."

The Falcons, predicted by most to be NFL doormats and in a rebuilding mode, are back in the playoffs for the first time since after the 2004 season. They reached the NFC championship game in Jim Mora's first season but lost to Philadelphia.

"It's been a long four years, up and down," Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White said.

Most of the players were thinking big, White included.

"It means you're going to be in this thing until the end," White said. "It means you're going to have a chance to win the Super Bowl. You're in the tournament."

Running back Jerious Norwood, who scored on an 8-yard shovel pass to make it 14-7 early in the second quarter, was also considering the possibilities.

"It's a great feeling, just to have chance," Norwood said. "All you can ask for is a chance."

With a new general manager, new head coach, rookie quarterback, a retooled offensive line and a young secondary, most had the Falcons winning between one and four games this season.

They heard the naysayers.

"We kind of used that to fuel our fire," McClure said. "Nobody gave us a chance."

Before the Falcons took the field, they knew their position. Dallas lost on Saturday, and 25 minutes before kickoff news of Tampa Bay's loss was making its way up and down the sideline.

The Falcons took the potentially raucous crowd out of the game by scoring on their opening drive out of the no-huddle attack. It was a good omen for them. The Falcons are 7-0 when they score on the opening drive.

Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey knew that Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams was out, so he attacked replacement Fred Evans. By the time the Falcons drove far into Vikings territory, Evans was replaced by Jimmy Kennedy.

"We ran the ball a lot," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "That's been our trademark this year."

The Falcons didn't take full advantage of the three first-half fumbles, but they took a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Falcons opened a 17-point lead after Ryan scrambled down to the 1-yard line before fumbling. The ball slipped through the hands of Minnesota safety Darren Sharper in the end zone. Left guard Justin Blalock, for the second consecutive week, came away with a key fumble down in the pile.

Blalock got the touchdown, the first by a Falcons lineman since Robbie Tobeck against Pittsburgh in 1996.

The Vikings rallied, adding a field goal and touchdown, but the came up short when cornerback Domonique Foxworth knocked down a pass intended for Bobby Wade late in the fourth quarter.

The celebration started.

Turner, who scored his 16th rushing touchdown of the season, watched. He's been to the playoff two times in four seasons with San Diego and reached the AFC title game last season.

"I was just happy seeing the other guys who have never been, see them celebrate," Turner said. "The guys that have been there before know this is just the beginning. There is something that's bigger, out there for us."

PLAYOFF PICTURE

A look at the NFC playoff picture:

Division leaders

x --- Giants 12-3*

y --- Panthers 11-4

Vikings 9-6

x --- Cardinals 8-7

Wild-card leaders

y --- Falcons 10-5

Cowboys 9-6

Contenders

Buccaneers 9-6

Eagles 8-6-1

Bears 8-6

x --- clinched division

y --- clinched playoff berth

* --- clinched home-field advantage

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