The New Years Day matchup between the Falcons and Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome has been moved from a 1 p.m. to a 4:15 p.m. kickoff, the NFL announced over the weekend.

Gates to the Georgia Dome open at 2 p.m. this Sunday, while tailgating lots open at 11 a.m. The game will be televised locally on Fox.

Sunday’s game could help determine whether the playoff-bound Falcons will be a #5 or #6 seed in the NFC. A Green Bay win over the 10-5 Lions (1 p.m. at Lambeau Field) coupled with a Falcons victory over the 4-11 Buccaneers would give Atlanta the #5 seed and send them to the winner of Sunday evening’s Cowboys-Giants showdown for the first round of the playoffs.

A Lions win or a Falcons loss Sunday would yield a #6 seed and send Atlanta to either New Orleans or San Francisco for a first round playoff game, played on either Saturday, January 7 or Sunday, January 8.

All playoff game dates and times are generally announced by the NFL sometime shortly after the final week’s Sunday Night Football game. Stay tuned to Atlantafalcons.com or follow the Falcons on Twitter (@Atlanta_Falcons) for the latest news on the Falcons’ playoff seeding and schedule.