The Tampa Bay Bucs defeat the Atlanta Falcons and move up to the top of the division.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went from having a 1-6 post-bye record to fourth in the NFC playoff picture in a matter of weeks.
The Atlanta Falcons were 6-6 and leading the NFC South with a 3-0 divisional record going into the Week 14 matchup. The Falcons had a chance to take a significant lead in the postseason race with a victory over the Buccaneers after facing the New Orleans Saints in Week 13.
Rather, the roles were reversed, and the Buccaneers won 29-25 to improve to 6-7. The game featured a strong defensive effort and a strong offensive display when it mattered most. The Buccaneers completed the task, despite it not being simple.
After a fruitful opening drive, Tampa Bay made a statement to start the game with a 55-yard field goal. At the conclusion of the first quarter, the Falcons responded with a successful 20-yard field goal to tie the score.
When the Falcons had their second possession, Carlton Davis of the Buccaneers defense made a big play by intercepting a pass meant for running back Bijan Robinson from Desmond Ridder. Mayfield and company took the field well inside the red zone after winning the reversal of the ball for a gain of 6.
Mayfield ran the ball into the end zone a few plays later to give the Buccaneers a 10-3 lead. With a spectacular 36-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Pitts, Ridder retaliated.
The Buccaneers’ defense brought down Ridder for a safety just before the two-minute warning, breaking the game’s potential to be tied at the half. Tampa Bay had a 12-10 lead at the half.
The Buccaneers offense took a while to get going after halftime. Following several three-and-outs and a blunder by Mayfield and Chris Godwin, Rachaad White’s 31-yard touchdown run signaled the start of the running game.
The Falcons started to rally from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter after a drive that featured a lot of running ended with a touchdown by Robinson. After a field goal by the Bucs to increase their lead, the Falcons’ touchdown and two-point conversion with three minutes left changed the course of the game.
However, Mayfield was far from done, as he led a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with tight end Cade Otton scoring an 11-yard touchdown pass.
The Bucs’ defense turned the tide and triumphed in a situation that resembled a defeat to the Houston Texans in early November.
The victory gives the Buccaneers command over their future. Tampa Bay would host an NFC playoff game if the playoffs began today.
