Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) – Atlanta Falcons (2-3): 21-15
In this duel at the top of the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave the Atlanta Falcons no chance for three quarters, before getting scared late in the game. If the Falcons returned in the fourth quarter, the “comeback” was stopped by a disputed arbitration decision.
Tom Brady (35/52, 351 yards, 1 TD) had a good game, well helped by the duo Mike Evans (81 yards) / Leonard Fournette (139 yards, 2 TD), and the attack took the best of a brave Atlanta defense, but not up to par with one of the best offenses in the league.
The Florida defense also took over, harassing Marcus Mariota (14/25, 147 yards, 1 TD) and limiting the running game to modest production. With a muzzled Drake London (35 yards) and an absent Kyle Pitts, there was not enough talent to do better. Still, Atlanta is going to stay in this game for courage.
Tampa Bay is the division leader, but is far from having dispelled doubts about the potential of this team. Atlanta is the image of its season, well organized, but limited.
Tampa in control
Punt, punt, punt, missed field goal. Here is the record of the Falcons in the first half, for a total of 0 points scored. The duo Caleb Huntley (34 yards) / Tyler Allgeier (45 yards) is powerless on the ground, and the offensive line suffers enough from the front seven, in particular Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
The Buccs aren’t flamboyant, but efficient enough to win with wear. In a resolutely aerial match, Tom Brady varies the targets, such as Chris Godwin (61 yards), Mike Evans or Cade Otton. However, it was on the ground that the first touchdown was scored, by Leonard Fournette, before the score got heavier with two field goals (13-0).
Atlanta brave but not helped
The second half begins like the first, with a punt from Atlanta then an effective drive from the Buccs, Tom Brady connecting with Mike Evans with a big win then with Leonard Fournette for the touchdown (21-0) . While the match is only in the third quarter, the mass seems to be over.
However, far from abdicating, the Falcons are pushing to come back. After a good comeback from Avery Williams, the Falcons found real strength on the ground. It is Williams who concludes on the ground to maintain hope (21-7). Only three possessions later, Atlanta continues the crazy comeback in the final minutes.
Tyler Allgeier is transformed, and Marcus Mariota advances to experience, before finding Olamide Zaccheaus for the touchdown (21-15). The Falcons are back, as well as hope four minutes from time. Arthur Smith’s men could have, should have had one last chance. But a questionable “roughing the pass” allowed Tampa to eat the last minutes of the clock. Final victory of the Buccs of Tom Brady, without drunkenness but the important thing is the victory.
