Atlanta Falcons Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Take NFC South Lead
In a game filled with penalties, turnovers and missed opportunities, the Atlanta Falcons (4-3) surged to the top of the NFC South, taking a 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) on Sunday inside Raymond-James Stadium.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, who tossed three interceptions last week, fumbled the ball three more times Sunday, all in the red zone.
The first came on a strip sack late in the first half, the second on a snap exchange at the goal line in the third quarter and the last while gliding into the endzone in the fourth quarter for what would've been his second rushing touchdown of the game.
Tampa Bay joined Atlanta with a pair of second half turnovers, as receiver Deven Thompkins fumbled, and quarterback Baker Mayfield was intercepted by safety Richie Grant.
Amidst all of the turnovers, the Falcons held a 13-10 lead when the Buccaneers regained possession with 2:36 to play in the fourth quarter.
Sparked by a 31-yard scramble from quarterback Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay moved deep into Atlanta territory but settled for a 36-yard field goal from kicker Chase McLaughlin.
And so, the stage was set for Ridder: 45 seconds, two timeouts, starting at his own 25-yard line with the division lead at stake.
Desmond Ridder and the Atlanta Falcons walked away victorious.
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The drive began with a near-shoestring catch by tight end Kyle Pitts, but officials overturned the call on the field of a reception.
But it didn't matter.
On the next snap, Ridder fired a bullet to Pitts for a 39-yard gain, pushing Atlanta into field goal range for kicker Younghoe Koo.
Rookie phenom running back Bijan Robinson, who wasn't feeling well, received his first carry of the day on the ensuing play and gained three yards. Fellow running back Tyler Allgeier was stopped for no gain the next play, and the stage was set for Koo.
From 51 yards, Koo's kick ... is good.
At the buzzer, Atlanta survives. Koo is mobbed.
And the Falcons now hold the lead of the NFC South through seven weeks.
The Falcons return to action next Sunday for a road matchup against the Tennessee Titans, with kickoff at Nissan Stadium set for 1 p.m. EST.
