First Quarter:
Foregoing the strategic advantage of deferring the opening possession to potentially double up around the halftime break. Tampa’s opening gamble snagged them nothing more than a punt. Former Buccaneer Bradley Pinion, would be featured on Atlanta’s first drive as the teams would trade punts to start. On drive number Tampa Bay would find life. A Mike Evans sighting, a Rachaad White burst, Jalen McMillians’ first appearance and catch of the season— Setting the Bucs up at the inch line for a Sean Tucker (Vita Vea led) touchdown run. 11 plays and 83 yards, a drive extended by a third-down, Mike Evans drawn, holding penalty gave Tampa their first lead of the night and Tampa Bay fans a reminder of how impactful a superstar receiver can be, even without touching the ball. 7-0, Buccaneers.
Second Quarter:
Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, has been on burrowed time for quite some time and Atlanta’s first score of the day was a rented stopwatch ticking away. The Buccaneers’ horrific red zone defense actually managed to stand firm, holding the Falcons to the field goal attempt. 7-3, buccaneers—
Except— Undisciplined football stuck again. Jumping over the line of scrimmage too soon, Zyon McCollum handed the Falcons a new set of downs and stayed on the field to watch them immediately turn it into points. Touchdown Kyle Pitts, uncovered running across the middle of the field for the score. 7-7, even.
Penalty-laden, sluggish football would follow until the six-minute mark of the second quarter. Mike Evans, once again playing the role of jump starter, helped Tampa get themselves rolling with a first down pick up. Next up, Jalen McMillan. Two big plays from Tampa’s two missing playmakers put the Bucs in field goal range. As Buccaneer drives often do the drive went from fast-paced to a halt. 10-7, Tampa Bay.
Lets set the scene. Two-minute drill, Todd Bowles versus Kirk Cousins, the Buccaneers’ defense versus Kyle Pitts— Surely a good battle,
except not quite and don’t call Todd Bowles Shirley. Four plays, two huge bites out of the apple for Pitts and the Falcons worked right back into the end zone. Touchdown number two for the tight end— 14-10, Atlanta.
38 seconds and two timeouts proved to be enough for the Buccaneers offense to move back into field goal range to close out the half. Chase McLaughlin, one of the few players who has rose above the mediocrity of Tampa Bay football this season, put another ball through the uprights.
Atlanta, minus their starting quarterback and number one receiver, paced themselves for 28 points in one half— Todd Bowles continued to pace himself towards
Glassdoor.
Third Quarter:
Quarter number three would kick off with an explosion for the Buccaneers, a fuse lit by Mike Evans. A fling down the field for a completely covered Mike Evans for a catch, mercilessly
‘Mossing’ Cobee Bryant and setting the stage for a Baker Mayfield touchdown toss. Devin Culp hauled in the first tight end-touchdown of Tampa Bay’s 2025 campaign. 20-14, Tampa Bay.
One defensive stop later and Baker and the Bucs were back at it again. With Mayfield and Evans operating as the engine Tampa jumped across midfield in a blink, then punted by the next.
Team football wins games and team football has missing for more than a month in Tampa Florida. The Buccaneers’ offense felt like they had surging momentum, if only their defense could get them the ball back. Christian Izien understood the moment. After spending three quarters being bashed over the head by Bijan Robinson Izien stepped in and forced a fumble. Jacob Parrish’s recovery gave Tampa Bay a chance at the dagger.
Fourth Quarter:
A 14-point lead in the fourth quarter does not guarantee a victory, but it certainly helps. That’s just what Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin provided Buccaneers’ fans with after
another Mike Evans drawn penalty. Turnover, touchdown, two-point conversion. 28-14, Buccaneers.
If you were hoping to see the Falcons answer you would get your wish. Eight plays, 65 yards, and a Bijan Robinson touchdown later, Tampa’s 14-point lead narrowed to eight. 28-20, Tampa Bay.
Atlanta’s response? Not just a one-word answer. Their defense added to the equation with a turnover, picking off a Baker Mayfield toss to Mike Evans. Dodging the bullet of a Lavonte David forced fumble, Kirk Cousins marauded through Todd Bowles’ defense for another touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts. The duos third of the day brought the game to within two. Atlanta’s second two-point conversion attempt of the quarter ended similarly to their first— NO GOOD. 28-26, Bucs.
3:34 and an opportunity to ice the game. Back-to-back Bucky Irving runs gave Tampa Bay third and down three with 2:37 on the clock. Chris Godwin, the chain-moving extraordinaire, stepped in and stepped up— Chains moved. One conversion from victory the Buccaneers sputtered. With life injected, Atlanta fumbled, recovered the fumble without the ball, and strutted into field goal range. Todd Bowles’ defense failed to defend and Tampa failed to win. 29-28, Atlanta Falcons.
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