The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t capitalize on a record-breaking afternoon, starting fast before collapsing late in a 31-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Let’s quickly recap the Falcons’ offense, defense and special teams performances after Atlanta’s tenth loss of the year.
OFFENSE
Matt Ryan and the offense were clicking early, and Ryan would throw for 356 passing yards, three touchdown passes, while passing Fran Tarkenton on the NFL’s all-time passing touchdowns list.
The numbers were there, but the win was again elusive for Atlanta. Credit Dirk Koetter for calling a good game early, but the offense reverted back to old habits, including not converting in the red zone and allowing game-altering sacks that killed the team’s chances.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught ten passes for 163 yards and a score with Julio Jones out of the lineup. The running game was absent again, though. Ito Smith led all Falcons rushers with six carries for 24 yards.
DEFENSE
The defensive pressure was there early for Atlanta, and the team sacked Bucs QB Tom Brady three times. What looked to an area the Falcons could exploit early on quickly flipped around and the defense allowed Bucs QB Tom Brady to throw for 390 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
To Atlanta’s credit, the defense did hold Tampa Bay to four of ten on third down. The secondary couldn’t contain the Bucs receivers and allowed Mike Evans to go for 110 yards, while letting Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin catch game-altering touchdown catches.
The Falcons were thin at corner entering the game, and lost Blidi Wreh-Wilson, which left them even more vulnerable at corner.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Younghoe Koo went 2-for-2, with a 52-yard field goal and converted three extra points. Koo also broke a record for most field goals by a Falcons kicker in team history over a single season, making his 35th in Week 15.
Rookie punter Sterling Hofrichter averaged an impressive 48.4 yards on his five punts on Sunday. Brandon Powell had just one punt return for four yards.
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