Bucs Outlast Falcons 21-15

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) defeated the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) 21-15 Sunday and now hold the top spot in the NFC South division.

Tampa Bay

Throughout last season, Tampa averaged 30 points per game but that number has decreased to 20 points per game through five games on the season.

Despite the offensive decrease, quarterback Tom Brady hasn’t missed a beat. He’s ranked third in passing yards among quarterbacks, this season.

The Buccaneers defense has been dominant this year, as well, ranking sixth in yards allowed (309), third in sacks (19) and fifth in turnovers (3). Jamel Dean leads the team in interceptions with two, and linebacker Devin White leads the teams in sacks with three.

https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1579186393724686336?s=20&t=9g_QNHnV6eaKa_qagz7B4A

Brady and running back Leonard Fournette powered the offense on Sunday. Brady recorded another stellar performance completing 35 out of his 52 passes for 351 yards and a touchdown. Fournette led the team in both rushing and receiving yards, racking in 83 receiving yards and 56 rushing yards with a touchdown on the ground and in the air.

With the win, Brady improved his record to 11-0 all time against the Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback Marcus Mariota led the Falcons on the offensive side of the ball and nearly completed a second half comeback. He led the team with 61 rushing yards and added 147 yards and a touchdown in the air.

.@LlamaDay makin' it look easy.

📺: FOX || NFL+ #ATLvsTB || #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/GLVGvFS52n

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 9, 2022

Falcons receiver Olamide Zaccheaus caught the touchdown pass from Mariota. He finished with two receptions for 39 yards while Drake London caught four passes for 35 yards.

Controversial Call

Despite giving up 420 yards of total offense to Tampa, Atlanta never quit and almost stunned the Bucs in Tampa. A controversial roughing the passer call ruined the Falcons’ chances of a win and a spot atop the NFC South rankings. The penalty gave Tampa Bay an automatic first down, allowing Brady to run out the clock.

This may be the WORST roughing the passer penalty I’ve ever seen. Embarrassingly bad call. The Falcons got screwed.

(🎥: @TrainIsland)pic.twitter.com/KdvC0mi2KJ

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 9, 2022

Next Week

In week six, the Bucs travel to Pittsburgh to take on the struggling Steelers (1-4). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Falcons return home next week to face the San Francisco 49ers (3-2), who have won two straight.