FINAL: Falcons Finish Season With Second-Straight Win, 30-17 over Buccaneers
The Atlanta Falcons (6-10) close out the regular season today against the two-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8).
While records and playoff positioning won't matter in today's contest, the game has a lot riding on it for Desmond Ridder as he makes his final impression before the offseason, where the Falcons will decide who should accompany him in the quarterback room next season. Ridder is also searching for his first NFL touchdown, and the third-round rookie will do so against arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play in Tom Brady.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of today's game ...
Buccaneers Inactives
- CB Carlton Davis
- LB Carl Nassib
- S Logan Ryan
- OL Donovan Smith
- DT Vita Vea
- S Mike Edwards
Falcons Inactives
- OL Elijah Wilkinson
- CB Rashad Fenton
- OLB David Anenih
- S Micah Abernathy
- DL Jalen Dalton
- TE Feleipe Franks
What: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
When: Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. EST
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
National TV: FOX
Radio: 92.9-FM The Game
Moneyline: TAMPA BAY (+165) | ATLANTA (-200)
Spread: TB +4.5 (-118) | ATL -4.5 (+100)
Total: Over 40.5 (-110) | Under 40.5 (-110)
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Stick with Falcon Report throughout the afternoon for live updates, highlights and drive-by-drive coverage of today's game ...
First Quarter
The Buccaneers received the opening kickoff, returning to their 30-yard line.
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady started off four of five passing, including his eight-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph.
Buccaneers 7, Falcons 0
Change of Possession
After a loss of two on a first-down run for Tyler Allgeier, an incomplete pass and a sack brought their first drive to an end.
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers started their second drive at their own 45. After a quick completion to Leonard Fournette, the Buccaneers couldn't muster anything else. The Bucs were forced to punt after a three-and-out.
Change of Possession
After Ridder missed a deep ball intended for Drake London on first down, an Allgeier run picked up five on second down. Ridder would then find London for a first down.
Allgeier picked up 17 and then 16 yards on two consecutive runs to put the Falcons inside the Tampa Bay 15-yard line. Ridder finds MyCole Pruitt for a two-yard touchdown pass, Ridder's first of his career.
Falcons 7, Buccaneers 7
Change of Possession
Buccaneers started the possession at their own 25 after a touchback. Richie Grant punched the football out of the grasp of Chris Godwin; the fumble was recovered by the Falcons, giving their offense inside the Tampa 35-yard line.
Change of Possession
A six-yard run by Allgeier was the only positive play of the Falcons' drive, which ended with a Younghoe Koo 49-yard field goal.
Falcons 10, Buccaneers 7
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
The Buccaneers relied heavily on the ground game, picking up 27 yards on a methodical 14-play drive that ended with a Ryan Succop field goal.
Falcons 10, Buccaneers 10
Change of Possession
Ridder scrambled for eight yards on 3rd & 10 forcing a Falcons' punt after a three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Falcons' defense stands tall after an offensive three-and-out; they force the Bucs' offense off the field with their own three-and-out.
Change of Possession
A sack on Ridder saw Devin White knock the ball free, giving the Bucs the ball back.
Change of Possession
The Bucs, with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, capitalized off the Falcons' turnover with a touchdown to the former Falcon Russell Gage.
Buccaneers 17, Falcons 10
Change of Possession
The Falcons' offense doesn't muster anything before their third three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers run out the rest of the first half
Change of Possession
Third Quarter
The first drive of the second half started off well for the Falcons; Allgeier rushed for 11 yards on two attempts before Ridder completed a 16-yard pass to London and then a 29-yard pass to Pruitt.
But the drive stalled out once they reached the redzone. Koo connected on a 24-yard field goal.
Buccaneers 17, Falcons 13
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers picked up just one-yard in their first two plays. On third and nine, the Falcons' defense forced a three-and-out keeping Vaugh short of the line to gain for a first game.
Change of Possession
Ridder found a pair of completions to London for a gain of 24 yards, then later in the drive on fourth and three, he found Anthony Firkser for a first down on an 11-yard completion.
Ridder capped off the drive with his second career touchdown pass as he found Zaccheus.
Falcons 20, Buccaneers 17
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
Lorenzo Carter's first down tackle for a seven-yard loss helped the Falcons' defense get off the field as the Bucs went three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Falcons started the drive from their own 17. As Ridder completed all five of his passes, including a highlight 40-yard pass to Drake London, moving the Falcons to the Tampa 39-yard line. Before Cordarrelle, Patterson ran the ball in for a touchdown.
Falcons 27, Buccaneers 17
Change of Possession
The Falcons leaned on their ground, driving 42 yards before setting up a 51-yard field goal from Koo to extend the Falcons' lead.
Falcons 30, Buccaneers 17
Change of Possession
The Buccaneers with Kyle Trask in at quarterback picked up 23 yards on seven plays before a turnover on down.
Change of Possession
FINAL: Falcons 30, Buccaneers 17
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