The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) beat the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) 21-15 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
The Buccaneers received the opening kickoff; the offense took over 1st & 10 at their 19-yard line. Leonard Fournette picked up the initial first down of the game on a 14-yard carry. Unfortunately, the Bucs drive stalled out at their own 35-yard line. The Falcons took over with possession at their 20-yard line following a touchback on Jake Camarda's punt. The Bucs defense stood tall, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka sacked Marcus Mariota on 3rd down. The Bucs took over with possession 1st & 10 at their 23-yard line. The Buccaneers went right back to the run game early and found success before Tom Brady connected with Chris Godwin for a pickup of 20-yards. Tampa Bay's offense continued to move the ball down the field, setting up a 4th & short for Brady and the offense. The Bucs did not convert. Atlanta took over with possession at their own 14-yard line with 4:45 remaining in the 1st quarter. The Falcons offense stalled out after a holding call near midfield. Both teams were held scoreless at the end of the opening quarter.
The Bucs offense began the 2nd quarter with possession at their 12-yard line. Tom Brady connected with Mike Evans down the field for a gain of 25-yards, giving the Bucs the ball inside Atlanta's red zone; a holding call just a pair of plays later backed the Bucs up to the 24-yard line. The Bucs didn't let that stop them from putting points up on the scoreboard; Leonard Fournette scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give Tampa a 7-0 lead over Atlanta with 9:31 remaining in the 2nd quarter. The Falcons stalled out on offense on the following drive; Bradley Pinion's punt was fielded at the 11-yard line. Tom Brady and the Bucs built momentum and moved the ball down the field at will before Ryan Succop extended Tampa's lead with a 21-yard field goal. Younghoe Koo missed his 52-yard field goal try with 20-seconds left in the quarter. Succop tacked on three more points, making his 44-yard try, and the Bucs led the Falcons 13-0 heading into halftime.
The Buccaneers defense came out strong, slowing down the Falcons rhythm on the opening drive of the second half and forcing a Pinion punt. The Bucs took over 1st & 10 following Jaelon Darden's 24-yard punt return up to the 26-yard line. Tom Brady connected with Leonard Fournette on a 1-yard touchdown pass; Brady then found Russell Gage, converting the 2-point try, giving the Bucs a 21-0 lead with 6:09 left in the 3rd quarter. The Bucs held onto their three-score lead heading into the final quarter.
Atlanta scored a touchdown early in the 4th quarter, courtesy of an 8-yard rushing TD by Avery Williams. The Falcons scored once more just a few drives later; Mariota hit Olamide Zaccheaus on a 19-yard TD pass. The Falcons also converted the two-point conversion, and Tampa led Atlanta 21-15 with 4:38 left in the game. The Buccaneers prevailed 21-15 over the Falcons.
The Buccaneers now prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, October 16th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM - you can hear the game on 97.9 WXTB-FM - The Mighty 98 Rock.
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