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The Atlanta Falcons fell behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early, fighting back to make it a three-point game in the fourth quarter before suffering a 44-27 loss in their Week 17 finale.
Let’s take a look at the performances of the Falcons’ offensive, defensive and special teams units in Sunday’s game.
Offense
The Falcons’ offense started the game with a nice drive but, per usual, came up short in the red zone and settled for a short field goal. Russell Gage had a big game, catching nine of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Matt Ryan finished with 265 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Running back Brian Hill had a 62-yard run and went for 94 yards on just nine carries. The balance was never there, though, outside of Hill’s big second-half run.
Falcons Wide receiver Calvin Ridley did not have his best game after an unbelievable 2020 season. He caught eight passes for 52 yards and fumbled in the fourth quarter, which ultimately killed the team’s chances of upsetting Tampa Bay.
Defense
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers’ offense came out firing early, marching right down the field before finishing the drive off with a touchdown pass to Chris Godwin. The Falcons’ pass rush was getting pressure but the secondary struggled to stay with Tampa Bay’s receivers.
In the second half, the defense tightened things up. Safety Ricardo Allen took advantage of a deflected ball and intercepted it to help the team get back within three points in the fourth quarter. What looked like a promising upset was ruined when the defense reverted back to the fourth-quarter unit we’ve seen all year.
Brady completed 26 of 41 passes for 399 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett left the game late in the first half, and his absence was felt in the fourth quarter.
Special Teams
Falcons Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo got the taste of last week’s missed field goal out of his mouth early, converting on the team’s opening drive. Koo finished with two field goals, while going 3-for-3 on extra points.
Rookie WR Chris Rowland looked solid in place of injured kick returner Brandon Powell. Rowland averaged 26.5 yards on his two returns. Punter Sterling Hofrichter had just one punt on the day for 43 yards.
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