In an offensive shootout, the Atlanta Falcons beat The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in time beyond regulation, 36-30. The Falcons scored on their opening drive, courtesy of a 32-yard achieve by Kyle Pitts down the seam on the crew’s second play from scrimmage. Following a 15-yard achieve by Drake London, who exploited a comfortable spot in zone, the Atlanta receiver crossed the aim line on an 18-yard landing. The seven-play, 70-yard drive supplied the Falcons with an early 7-0 lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On the Bucs’ ensuing drive, Baker Mayfield’s first go went to Mike Evans for a achieve of 15 and he turned the go-to goal for Mayfield a number of performs later over the center of the sector. Evans boxed out the defender on a slant for a achieve of 9 yards, which arrange a primary down. After a achieve of 15 for Cade Otton down the suitable sideline from third-and-nine and a bodily seize by Chris Godwin to convey the Bucs to first-and-goal, Evans scored. Bucky Irving served because the decoy, drawing the protection’s eyes whereas Evans went uncovered at the back of the tip zone, night the rating at seven.
On the Falcons’ subsequent drive, Bucs’ nostril deal with Vita Vea stalled their development with a third-down sack. Todd Bowles loaded the road with seven rushers and Vea received dwelling by way of the center, forcing a Younghoe Koo kick. Koo missed a 41-yarder, protecting the rating tied at seven. The Bucs adopted go well with with a six-play drive that culminated in a Chase McLaughlin 53-yard area aim following an incompletion on third down.
The Falcons closely focused the center of the sector on the next drive, which was capped off by a Darnell Mooney 25-yard landing. Lavonte David broke up a go meant for Pitts on second down, however the Falcons scored from third-and-14, giving the house crew a four-point lead. The Bucs instantly answered with a landing on a three-play, 44-yard drive. Mayfield linked with Evans on a nook route and the Bucs handed their NFC South rival for a 17-14 lead in Atlanta.
On the following possession for Atlanta, Jordan Whitehead flew off the sting on a blitz and Cousins shortly removed the go and was flagged for intentional grounding, which arrange second-and-20. After Bijan Robinson got here up wanting the sticks on third down, Koo kicked a 54-yard area aim to make it a tied ballgame, 17-17. For the Bucs, Rachaad White turned the catalyst on the next drive. Off a counter-schemed run, White exploded for a achieve of 56 yards with Tristan Wirfs and Otton paving the best way. He set the Bucs up on the Atlanta 15-yard line, marking the longest run of his profession. From third-and-goal, Mayfield linked together with his former Sooner teammate for a landing. No.6 threaded the needle, placing the ball out in entrance for Sterling Shepard within the again nook of the tip zone. The Bucs took a 24-17 lead off the seven-play, 82-yard scoring drive.
The Bucs’ protection killed the Falcons’ momentum on the next drive. On first down, Jordan Whitehead sunk in bracket protection and broke up a go meant for London and on the following play, Logan Corridor dropped Cousins for a lack of eight yards. An incompletion to Mooney on third down compelled a Falcons’ punt.
Mayfield accomplished 12-of-15 go makes an attempt for 131 yards, three landing and 0 interceptions for a 142.6 ranking within the first half. Along with his two receiving touchdowns within the opening half, Evans notched his twenty second profession multi-touchdown efficiency, surpassing Antonio Gates for the seventh-most such video games in NFL historical past.
Out of the half, the Bucs’ offense stalled, and the Falcons various their tempo and moved down the sector. The tide shifted on second down. Jamel Dean supplied nice protection downfield on Mooney and didn’t take the bait off his double transfer. Cousins held onto the ball and Anthony Nelson took benefit with an eight-yard sack, which arrange third-and-22. Koo kicked a 48-yard area aim, making it a 24-20 sport.
Mayfield turned the X-Issue on the next drive, scrambling on second all the way down to convey up third-and-short. Chris Godwin received the primary down off a sweep and an pointless roughness penalty on the Falcons’ tacked on extra yardage for Tampa Bay. Nevertheless, from third-and-short, Mayfield was sacked by David Onyemata, which resulted in a McLaughlin 32-yard area aim. The Bucs needed to accept three, making it a one-possession, 27-20 sport.
Proper earlier than the tip of the third body, two back-to-back features for Atlanta set the Falcons up on the Tampa Bay 18-yard line (22 by Ray Ray McCloud, 29 by Bijan Robinson). On fourth down, Cousins linked with Mooney, who shook off a defender, for a 12-yard rating. The Falcons’ evened the rating at 27 on the eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive. The Bucs had been unable to attain on the next drive and settled for 3. McLaughlin drilled a 53-yarder to provide the visiting crew a three-point benefit. The Falcons’ nearly tied the sport on the subsequent drive with a Koo 54-yard try after a drop by Mooney on third down, however Bucs’ Tavierre Thomas lunged by way of the air to dam the kick, protecting Tampa Bay within the driver’s seat.
The Bucs’ drive was lower brief with a fumble compelled by Jessie Bates III. The ball was recovered by Kaden Ellis on the Atlanta 25-yard line, however the Tampa Bay protection stepped up. Yaya Diaby introduced stress on a twist, forcing the ball out of Cousins’ fingers. Lavonte David sat at centerfield, learn the quarterback’s eyes and broke, undercutting the go for an interception on the Atlanta 35-yard line. He returned it seven yards to the 28, shifting the momentum. The Bucs weren’t capable of money in with factors and the Falcons took over. A 17-yard achieve by Mooney over the center of the sector introduced Atlanta throughout midfield. Just a few performs later, Cousins spiked the ball with one second left. A delay of sport penalty pushed the Falcons to a 52-yard area aim try and Koo drilled it, sending the sport into time beyond regulation.
The Falcons received the ball first on offense and London traveled 18 yards to the 45-yard line on an choice route. Hodge scored from 45 yards out, giving the Falcons a 36-30 win.