Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Atlanta Falcons, improve to first in division

In a matter of weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone from a 1-6 post-bye record to fourth in the NFC playoff picture.

Prior to the Week 14 matchup, the Atlanta Falcons were 6-6 and ranked first in the NFC South with a 3-0 divisional record. Following a Week 13 head-to-head matchup with the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons had the opportunity to pull ahead substantially in the playoff race with a win over the Buccaneers.

Instead, the roles were reversed and the Buccaneers improved to 6-7 with a 29-25 victory. The outing consisted of a dominant defense performance and an offense that came up big in the important moments. It wasn’t easy, but the Buccaneers got the job done.

Tampa Bay made a statement to kick off the game with a 55-yard field goal to follow a successful opening drive. The Falcons answered back with a successful 20-yard field goal to tie it up at the end of the first quarter.

The Buccaneers’ defense made a splash during the Falcons’ second possession, as Carlton Davis picked off Desmond Ridder’s pass intended for running back Bijan Robinson. After returning the ball for a gain of 6, Mayfield and Co. took the field well within the red zone.

Plays later, Mayfield ran the ball into the end zone to put the Buccaneers ahead, 10-3. Ridder answered back with an impressive 36-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Pitts.

The game had the makings of a tie heading into halftime, but just ahead of the two-minute warning, the Buccaneers’ defense took down Ridder for a safety. At the half, Tampa Bay led 12-10.

Coming off halftime, the Buccaneers’ offense was slow to gain momentum. After multiple three-and-outs and a miscue between Mayfield and Chris Godwin, the running game began to pick up with a 31-yard touchdown by Rachaad White.

In the fourth quarter, the Falcons began to crawl back from a nine-point deficit, as a run-heavy drive led to a Robinson touchdown. The Buccaneers extended their lead with a field goal, but the game took a turn as the Falcons scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with three minutes remaining.

But Mayfield wasn’t done and he delivered a 12-play, 75-yard drive resulting in an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cade Otton.

In a situation that resembled an early November loss against the Houston Texans, the Buccaneers’ defense changed the narrative and pulled through with a stop.

With the win, the Buccaneers now control their destiny. If the playoffs were to start today, Tampa Bay would be home to an NFC playoff game.