The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-13 with a 51-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo as time expired on Sunday.
Desmond Ridder, despite losing three fumbles, had a solid performance, throwing for 250 yards on 19-of-25 passing and running for 38 yards. His 39-yard pass to Kyle Pitts set up Koo’s game-winning kick.
In the fourth quarter, Ridder’s 12-yard run initially gave the Falcons a 19-10 lead, but replay showed that he lost the ball crossing the goal line after Antoine Winfield Jr. punched it loose.
With Bijan Robinson slowed by illness, Tyler Allgeier led the Falcons in carries (21) and yards (59), and also contributed 53 yards receiving. Cordarrelle Patterson added 10 rushes for 56 yards, while Drake London had six receptions for 54 yards.
Baker Mayfield had a solid game for the Buccaneers, passing for 275 yards and a touchdown, and adding 32 rushing yards. His 31-yard run late in the fourth quarter set up Chase McLaughlin’s game-tying field goal.
Mike Evans had six receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown for the Buccaneers, while Chris Godwin added six catches for 66 yards. Rachaad White contributed 34 yards rushing and 65 yards receiving.
Ridder scored the first touchdown of the game for the Falcons, running 2 yards into the end zone with 6:48 left in the first quarter. Tampa Bay tied the game at 7 with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Evans on their next possession.
Field goals by Koo and McLaughlin in the second quarter kept the game tied at 10.
The Falcons had a scoring opportunity before halftime, but Ridder fumbled after being hit by Shaquil Barrett at the Tampa Bay 11-yard line.
In the third quarter, a forced fumble by Nate Landman on Deven Thompkins led to a recovery by LaCale London at the Tampa Bay 27-yard line. However, a controversial call on a reception by Drake London gave the ball back to the Bucs at their own 3-yard line after a fumble by London.
Atlanta forced a Tampa Bay punt, which set up a 41-yard field goal by Koo to give the Falcons a 13-10 lead with 2:08 left in the third quarter.
The Thomson RushHourDaily Trust Principles apply to this article.
