Atlanta Falcons (6-7) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7): 25-29
The final sprint is on! In an uncertain NFC South division, this meeting serves as a crucial game for the Falcons and the Buccaneers. Like the division, the match was uncertain for a long time, until Cade Otton's touchdown, found by Baker Mayfield (14/29, 147 yards, 3 TDs), effective without being brilliant, and author of 3 touchdowns (2 passing , 1 in the race).
Atlanta will have many regrets. With 434 yards in total, Atlanta would have deserved to win the game. Unfortunately, between the dropped points and the costly errors, the Falcons missed the opportunity to escape to the top of the division.
Opportunistic Tampa Bay
Are you a team that has more passing and rushing yards than the opponent, yet you are behind in scoring? What happened ? Atlanta could find the answers with special teams first, where kicker Younghoe Koo drops 6 points on his feet. They could also be on the offensive side, where Desmond Ridder (26/40, 362 yards, 2 TDs, INT) misses a Bijan Robinson (10 races, 5 REC, 88 yards, TD) unmarked for a touchdown on the first offensive series.
Intercepted on the following series by Carlton Davis close to his camp, the quarterback saw his alter ego Baker Mayfield widen the gap. To top it off, Ridder takes a strip sack by Antoine Winfield in his own end zone. Fortunately for him, one of his teammates covers the ball to take “only” 2 points. This makes a total of 12 points conceded, and 6 points missed out of 16 potential points.
With 10 points, including the 2nd touchdown of the season from Kyle Pitts (3 REC, 57 yards, TD), Atlanta nevertheless had a good first period. Unfortunately, mistakes are costly. Tampa Bay appears opportunistic, despite a completely harmless attack with 81 yards in total.
3 yards from the miracle
Rachaad White allows Tampa Bay to escape. But, Atlanta does not give up, with a decisive Bijan Robinson and a stratospheric Drake London. After the rookie running back's touchdown, it was the 2nd year quarterback who allowed Atlanta to move ahead, escaping Joe Tryon's tackle.
Leaving 3 minutes on the clock, Tampa Bay will find the solutions, first going on the ground with a very good Rachaad White (25 races, 135 yards, TD). Despite a transparent Mike Evans (1 REC, 8 yards), the aerial attack has other targets, with Chris Godwin (5 REC, 53 yards) found 15 yards from the touchdown, just before Cade Otton's victorious touchdown. Atlanta will have one last opportunity. But, Drake London (10 REC, 172 yards) fails just 3 yards from the touchdown. 3 yards that could be expensive at the end of the regular season.
BAKER. OTTON. BUCS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 33 SECONDS LEFT.
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