Atlanta Falcons Lose to Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Late Comeback Falls Short
The Atlanta Falcons are no strangers to heartbreaking, and were reintroduced once more Sunday, taking a 29-25 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons (6-7) overcame a 19-10 fourth quarter deficit to take a 25-22 lead over Buccaneers (6-7) with just over two minutes to play, but Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield hit tight end Cade Otton for an 11-yard touchdown with 36 seconds to play to swing the lead once and for all.
Given a final chance on a 30-yard heave, Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder found receiver Drake London, who was tackled three yards shy of the endzone.
So close, yet so far - and now, Atlanta finds itself in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South with the Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Ridder had a gaudy yet troublesome day under center, completing 26 of 40 passes for 347 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground but throwing an interception and losing a fumble deep in his own territory.
London had the most productive day of his professional career, catching 10 passes for 172 yards, but will be left ruing another soul-crushing defeat.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder in action Dec. 10, 2023, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta outgained Tampa Bay, 434 to 290, in total yards, and had 23 first downs to the visitors' 16 but couldn't close the deal defensively when it mattered most.
Toss in a late-charging offense that shot itself in the foot time and again through three quarters, and Atlanta, despite being injury-riddled, has nobody else to blame for the outcome.
The Falcons return to action next Sunday, when they take on the Carolina Panthers (1-12) at 1 p.m. EST inside AT&T Bank Stadium.
