Falcons Fall to the Buccaneers, Lose Possession of First Place in NFC South
The battle between the Falcons and Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South was a good one. The Bucs were able to drive down the field and get a field goal on their first drive of the game. Atlanta responded with a field goal of their own to tie things up. After a Desmond Ridder interception, Baker Mayfield ran it in to take the lead. Things were not looking so great for the Falcons until they responded with a touchdown to Kyle Pitts. The Bucs defense then got a safety, and it was a 12-10 game going into the half. Kicker Younghoe Koo had already missed two crucial field goals for an offense that was struggling as it is.
In the second half, Rachaad White scored a touchdown to give his team a 19-10 lead. The Falcons offense still could not get anything going. And then finally, out of nowhere, they woke up. They were able to score touchdowns on back to back drives in the fourth quarter and even took the lead late in the 4th. However, Baker Mayfield led his offense down the field for a game winning touchdown to tight end Cade Otton. The Falcons managed to get inside the Bucs five yard line after a huge catch from Drake London. However, there was not enough time to run another play and the Bucs got the 29-25 win in Atlanta.
The Bucs now take control of first place in the NFC South. With the Saints also winning, the Bucs, Saints, and Falcons are all 6-7. The Falcons play the Panthers next week, and the Bucs will face the Packers.