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.
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.
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.