The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) fall to the Atlanta Falcons (4-3) 16-13 Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bucs offense stalled out on the game's opening drive; Tampa Bay did attempt to convert a 4th down and six from Atlanta's 42-yard line to no avail. The Atlanta Falcons offense takes advantage of excellent field position, marching down the field, before Desmond Ridder scrambled into the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Falcons an early 7-0 lead with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter of play. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense respond on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans, giving the Bucs their first lead of the game, 7-7 with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter.
The Falcons tacked on a 24-yard field goal courtesy of Younghoe Koo early in the second quarter of play, giving Atlanta a 10-7 lead over Tampa Bay with 11:51 left in the second half. Chase McLaughlin and the Bucs answer back with a 24-yard field goal try, tying the game up at 10 with 5:14 left in the first half of play. After moving the ball down the field, the Falcons turned the ball over on a strip sack by Shaq Barrett and Calijah Kancey. The Bucs and Falcons were tied 10-10 at the end of the first half.
The Falcons scored first in the second half as Younghoe Koo notched a 41-yard field goal try with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter, giving Atlanta a 13-10 lead over Tampa Bay.
In the fourth quarter, the Bucs moved the ball down the field, hoping to take the lead. However, Baker Mayfield threw an interception to Richie Grant, and the Falcons took over at their own 15 with 3:41 left in the game. Chase McLaughlin and the Bucs score a few more with a 36-yard field goal made with 45 seconds left in regulation, tying the game up at 13-13. Younghoe Koo made a last-second 51-yard field goal to win the game, 16-13 over Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers now prepare to face the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, October 26th, in Orchard Park, New York. Kickoff time is 8:15 PM ET- you can hear the game on 97.9 WXTB-FM - The Mighty 98 Rock.
PHOTO COURTESY: GETTY IMAGES