Rapid Reaction: Falcons 36, Buccaneers 30
In an offensive shootout, the Atlanta Falcons beat The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, 36-30. The Falcons scored on their opening drive, courtesy of a 32-yard gain by Kyle Pitts down the seam on the team's second play from scrimmage. Following a 15-yard gain by Drake London, who exploited a soft spot in zone, the Atlanta receiver crossed the goal line on an 18-yard touchdown. The seven-play, 70-yard drive provided the Falcons with an early 7-0 lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On the Bucs' ensuing drive, Baker Mayfield's first pass went to Mike Evans for a gain of 15 and he became the go-to target for Mayfield a few plays later over the middle of the field. Evans boxed out the defender on a slant for a gain of nine yards, which set up a first down. After a gain of 15 for Cade Otton down the right sideline from third-and-nine and a physical grab by Chris Godwin to bring the Bucs to first-and-goal, Evans scored. Bucky Irving served as the decoy, drawing the defense's eyes while Evans went uncovered in the back of the end zone, evening the score at seven.
On the Falcons' next drive, Bucs' nose tackle Vita Vea stalled their progression with a third-down sack. Todd Bowles loaded the line with seven rushers and Vea got home through the middle, forcing a Younghoe Koo kick. Koo missed a 41-yarder, keeping the score tied at seven. The Bucs followed suit with a six-play drive that culminated in a Chase McLaughlin 53-yard field goal following an incompletion on third down.
The Falcons heavily targeted the middle of the field on the following drive, which was capped off by a Darnell Mooney 25-yard touchdown. Lavonte David broke up a pass intended for Pitts on second down, but the Falcons scored from third-and-14, giving the home team a four-point lead. The Bucs immediately answered with a touchdown on a three-play, 44-yard drive. Mayfield connected with Evans on a corner route and the Bucs passed their NFC South rival for a 17-14 lead in Atlanta.
On the subsequent possession for Atlanta, Jordan Whitehead flew off the edge on a blitz and Cousins quickly got rid of the pass and was flagged for intentional grounding, which set up second-and-20. After Bijan Robinson came up short of the sticks on third down, Koo kicked a 54-yard field goal to make it a tied ballgame, 17-17. For the Bucs, Rachaad White became the catalyst on the following drive. Off a counter-schemed run, White exploded for a gain of 56 yards with Tristan Wirfs and Otton paving the way. He set the Bucs up at the Atlanta 15-yard line, marking the longest run of his career. From third-and-goal, Mayfield connected with his former Sooner teammate for a touchdown. No.6 threaded the needle, putting the ball out in front for Sterling Shepard in the back corner of the end zone. The Bucs took a 24-17 lead off the seven-play, 82-yard scoring drive.
The Bucs' defense killed the Falcons' momentum on the following drive. On first down, Jordan Whitehead sunk in bracket coverage and broke up a pass intended for London and on the ensuing play, Logan Hall dropped Cousins for a loss of eight yards. An incompletion to Mooney on third down forced a Falcons' punt.
Mayfield completed 12-of-15 pass attempts for 131 yards, three touchdown and zero interceptions for a 142.6 rating in the first half. With his two receiving touchdowns in the opening half, Evans notched his 22nd career multi-touchdown performance, surpassing Antonio Gates for the seventh-most such games in NFL history.
Out of the half, the Bucs' offense stalled, and the Falcons varied their tempo and moved down the field. The tide shifted on second down. Jamel Dean provided great coverage downfield on Mooney and did not take the bait off his double move. Cousins held onto the ball and Anthony Nelson took advantage with an eight-yard sack, which set up third-and-22. Koo kicked a 48-yard field goal, making it a 24-20 game.
Mayfield became the X-Factor on the following drive, scrambling on second down to bring up third-and-short. Chris Godwin got the first down off a sweep and an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Falcons' tacked on additional yardage for Tampa Bay. However, from third-and-short, Mayfield was sacked by David Onyemata, which resulted in a McLaughlin 32-yard field goal. The Bucs had to settle for three, making it a one-possession, 27-20 game.
Right before the end of the third frame, two back-to-back gains for Atlanta set the Falcons up at the Tampa Bay 18-yard line (22 by Ray Ray McCloud, 29 by Bijan Robinson). On fourth down, Cousins connected with Mooney, who shook off a defender, for a 12-yard score. The Falcons' evened the score at 27 on the eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive. The Bucs were unable to score on the following drive and settled for three. McLaughlin drilled a 53-yarder to give the visiting team a three-point advantage. The Falcons' almost tied the game on the next drive with a Koo 54-yard attempt after a drop by Mooney on third down, but Bucs' Tavierre Thomas lunged through the air to block the kick, keeping Tampa Bay in the driver's seat.
The Bucs' drive was cut short with a fumble forced by Jessie Bates III. The ball was recovered by Kaden Ellis at the Atlanta 25-yard line, but the Tampa Bay defense stepped up. Yaya Diaby brought pressure on a twist, forcing the ball out of Cousins' hands. Lavonte David sat at centerfield, read the quarterback's eyes and broke, undercutting the pass for an interception at the Atlanta 35-yard line. He returned it seven yards to the 28, shifting the momentum. The Bucs were not able to cash in with points and the Falcons took over. A 17-yard gain by Mooney over the middle of the field brought Atlanta across midfield. A few plays later, Cousins spiked the ball with one second left. A delay of game penalty pushed the Falcons to a 52-yard field goal attempt and Koo drilled it, sending the game into overtime.
The Falcons got the ball first on offense and London traveled 18 yards to the 45-yard line on an option route. Hodge scored from 45 yards out, giving the Falcons a 36-30 win.
