Bucs at Falcons, let’s talk about it.
Football is a game of inches, but it’s also a game of quarters. Let’s dive into a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of some Tampa Bay Bucs’ football. Tonight, the Bucs traveled to Georgia for their first NFC South divisional game of the 2024. The game might go down as one of the best TNF games to date, but simultaneously will be one Bucs’ fans cannot wait to forget.
First Quarter:
After failing to find the endzone last week, the Falcons righted that wrong in abrupt fashion. Kirk Cousins marched his offense down the field for a coast-in six points. Drake London, who has been a problem for the Bucs’ defense in recent matchups, glided into the endzone for his third score of the season. Taking the field down seven is never ideal but the Bucs’ offense managed quite well— Nine plays and a wide-open touchdown pass to Mike Evans that tied the game at a score a piece.
7-7 remained 7-7 after Younghoe Koo booted a rare miss wide left. Tampa Bay took an early lead in the kicker battle while also taking their first lead on the scoreboard, finishing the following drive with three Chase McLaughlin points. 10-7, Bucs.
Second Quarter:
Atlanta’s first quarter success segued into second quarter success as a Drake London-less Atlanta Falcons’ offense found Darnell Mooney to step into the role of touchdown-maker. Thursday night’s NFC South track meet continued one commercial break later— Introducing Sean Tucker. 86 yards on his first two kickoffs and Tucker stampeded Tampa to good field position which Bucs’ Mike Evans used to record his 100th touchdown (technically). 17-14, Bucs. The Falcons’ offense, like a mosquito at a campsite, persisted— back into field goal range they went and three more points they did add. In the blink of Bucs’ fan’s eye, Tampa Bay found a run game— Rachaad White crashed through the line for what felt like the Bucs’ 38th explosive play of the half. White’s big run getting tagged down shy of the goal line only meant Baker Mayfield would be able to toss an NFL touchdown to his old collegiate buddy. Sterling Shepard’s first score as a Buc was a well scripted conclusion to a 7 play, 82-yard drive. 24-17, Bucs.
Third Quarter:
Welcome to the third quarter. Bucs’ fans, avert your eyes. The Bucs’ offense fumbled, tripped, and trotted out of bounds to bring out Trenton Gill for his first appearance of the day. Gill’s punt methodically transitioned to a Younghoe Koo kick. 24-20, Bucs. Tuning back in, at the four-minute mark, a promising Tampa Bay drive stalled in the red zone when Baker Mayfield was bent like a beach chair. The sack sent Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense to the sideline. Field goal attempt— 27-20, Bucs.
Fourth Quarter:
An underwhelming third quarter leaked into Thursday night’s final 15 minutes. 8 plays 70 yards and a second Darnell Mooney score, left Tampa in a tie game. Chase McLaughlin is eligible to break ties, however, barring quite a creative turn of events, Chase McLaughlin is only able to do so in waves of three. Facing a fourth down, the Bucs opted for Chase McLaughlin and his three-point swing. 30-27, Bucs. Darnell Mooney, in the midst of a stellar outing, decided he wanted Atlanta to try their hand at a three-point swing as well—dropping an astoundingly wide-open pass on third down. Thursday night’s kicking battle was decidedly in the favor of Bucs’ fans. Younghoe Koo, with one miss already, put toe to ball and ball met Tavierre Thomas— A blocked field goal giving Tampa Bay possession and the right to maintain their slim lead. Thomas’ blocked kick was first in a series of icing and then un-icing the game plays. Next in the sequence was a Bucky Irving fumble. Irving’s fumble set up Lavonte David for what could’ve been a signature play. Unfortunately for David and the Tampa Bay faithful, that play led to the Bucs’ offense failing to gain a single yard, knocking themselves out of field goal range (with a penalty), and a punt. With the theme being try, try, and try again, Kirk Cousins’ game-losing interception became his game-tying drive— 30-30.
Overtime:
Overtime played similarly to the game’s prior four quarters. Atlanta’s offense took the ball and ended the game. With 36 points allowed, Todd Bowles’ defense will need to take a hard, sobering look in the mirror.
Noteworthy performers:
Baker Mayfield: 19/24, 180 yards, 3 TDs
Mike Evans: 5 catches, 62 yards, 2 TDs
Logan Hall: 2 sacks
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