FINAL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defeat Atlanta Falcons, Take Control in NFC South
It is game day, as the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) go on the road to face the (5-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With the Falcons clinging to a one-game lead over the 5-7 Buccaneers for first place in the division, Sunday's game has a playoff feel, as a loss for either side will put them behind the proverbial eight-ball.
The Falcons will take the field inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, riding a two-game winning streak that includes victories over the New Orleans Saints and the New York Jets. With a win, it would not only mark three consecutive wins for Atlanta, but it'd be the first time since 2019 that the Falcons were able to string three victories in a row.
Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) forces a fumble by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) at the goal line in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
As for the Buccaneers, they will be looking to make it two straight following last Sunday's 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers. Being just a game behind the Falcons for the lead in the NFC South, combined with the fact that Atlanta got the better of them in their Week 7 clash, makes this matchup feel all the more important.
"Each and every one of these games is a playoff game for us, we want to be able to continue to roll each and every week and keep making the arrow keep going up," Falcons edge rusher Bud Dupree said. "You don’t want to be one of those teams that it’s getting late in the season and the arrow starts going down; you always want to be one of those teams where the arrow pointed up; it’s great we got to show that. We just got to build on it next week, another home game, continue to go out there man and play with a different gear."
The Falcons will look to keep their win streak alive as they take on their division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WHAT: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7, 2-4 Road) at Atlanta Falcons (6-6, 4-2 Home)
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA (75,000)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Falcons -2.5
TOTAL: 40.5
MONEYLINE: Buccaneers +110, Falcons -133
First Quarter
The Buccaneers took the lead following a nine-play opening drive that saw Baker Mayfield complete three of his four passes for 27 yards. The Buccaneers were forced to settle for a field goal as Mayfield scrambled for only two yards on third-down.
FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers 3, Falcons 0
Change of Possession
The Falcons managed to pull level with the Buccaneers on their first drive. However, they may feel disappointed, as they had a long 16-play drive that saw them reach the Buccaneers' two-yard line, before an incomplete pass from Ridder intended for Bijan Robinson forced them to kick a field goal.
FIELD GOAL FALCONS
Buccaneers 3, Falcons 3
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers went three-and-out with a two-yard run from Rachaad White being the only positive play as Mayfield fired two incompletions.
Change of Possession
The Falcons couldn't take advantage of the punt, as their drive lasted just one play due to an interception by Buccaneers' cornerback Carlton Davis, who jumped a first-down screen pass intended for Robinson.
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
The Buccaneers capitalize off the turnover with a two-yard touchdown run from Baker Mayfield.
TOUCHDOWN BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers 10, Falcons 3
Change of Possession
The Falcons responded quickly, driving 75 yards in six plays, where Ridder capped it off with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts.
TOUCHDOWN FALCONS
Buccaneers 10, Falcons 10
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers' drive ended in a turnover on downs as they went for it on fourth and down and couldn't convert as a run for White lost five yards.
Change of Possession
Another missed opportunity saw the Falcons leave points on the field as a 50-yard field goal attempt from Younghoe Koo hit the right upright.
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers suffered another three-and-out as Mayfield was sacked on third-down.
Change of Possession
Desmond Ridder was stripped and sacked by Antoine Winfield before Atlanta recovered the ball in the endzone to force a safety.
SAFETY BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers 12, Falcons 10
Change of Possession
After two straight runs gained a combined seven yards, the Falcons forced a punt after an incomplete pass.
Change of Possession
The Falcons go into the locker room empty-handed as Koo missed another field goal, this time from 52 yards out.
Third Quarter
The Falcons were forced to punt as Ridder's pass to Jonnu Smith on third-down only picked up eight of the 10 yards needed.
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers suffered another three-and-out as Mayfield fired two incompletions to go along with an eight-yard run for White.
Change of Possession
The Falcons also went three-and-out, except it was after a potential big pass to Drake London was dropped on first-down.
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers were forced to punt again after just three plays.
Change of Possession
Ridder completed just one of his three passes on the drive, which was a four-yard completion to London. However, his third-down pass was almost intercepted. Luckily for the Falcons though, they were able to punt.
Change of Possession
After a string of three-and-outs, the Buccaneers found the endzone as a running back screen to White saw him take it 31 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown pass capped off a nine-play 66-yard drive.
TOUCHDOWN BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers 19, Falcons 10
Change of Possession
The Falcons picked up two first downs on the drive, one via an eight-yard pass to Smith, and the other by an Allgeier run. However, that is all the Falcons mustered before another punt.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
The Buccaneers were forced to punt again after just three plays.
Change of Possession
The Falcons trimmed the deficit as Bijan Robinson found the endzone with a three-yard run.
TOUCHDOWN FALCONS
Buccaneers 19, Falcons 17
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers tacked on a field goal to their lead as Chase McLaughlin connected on his kick from 38 yards.
FIELD GOAL BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers 22, Falcons 17
Change of Possession
The drive opened with a big highlight 45-yard catch by Drake London which helped set the Falcons up in a position to score. From there, a few plays later, Ridder takes a read option quarterback keeps six yards for a lead-taking score. The Falcons went for two and got it as Ridder found London again.
TOUCHDOWN FALCONS
Falcons 25, Buccaneers 22
Change of Possession
A long 12-play drive sees the Buccaneers drive 75 yards in 12 plays, which included a fourth-down conversion before Mayfield found Cade Otton for an 11-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers 29, Falcons 25
Change of Possession
After two straight completions saw the Falcons reach midfield, a 19-yard completion to Kyle Pitts put them inside Tampa Bay territory. However, despite the hail mary attempt from Ridder was complete to London, he was stopped just yards short of the endzone.
FINAL: Buccaneers 29, Falcons 25
