FALCONS 13, BUCCANEERS 10 (OT): FALCONS RECAP

A quick look at Sunday’s 13-10 overtime victory over Tampa Bay at the Georiga Dome that improved the Falcons to 9-5.

HERO

John Abraham. The Falcons defensive end had a huge day with three sacks. The biggest came in overtime when he sacked Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese for a 13-yard loss. The sacked forced the Buccaneers to punt on the first drive of OT. Ten plays and 55 yards later, Jason Elam kicked the game-winning field goal for the Falcons.

GOAT

Chris Houston. Yes, the Falcons won, but the cornerback was abused all day long by the Tampa receivers. Brian Griese, of all people, threw for 269 yards, and Antonio Bryant had caught 108 yards of it, most against Houston. The Falcons adjusted to give Houston more safety help, which opened the run game.

KEY PLAY

The Bucs forced overtime after Brian Clark blocked Michael Koenen’s punt with 2:37 left in regulation. Clark beat Coy Wire to get a hand on the punt, which was recovered by Sabby Piscitelli and returned to Atlanta’s 22-yard line. The Bucs had to settle for a game-tying 38-yard field goal when a holding penalty killed the drive.

KEY CALL

We are giving this to Falcons head coach Mike Smith for getting in the face of Bucs receiver Antonio Bryant. Falcons cornerback Domonique Foxworth and Bryant got mixed up on the Falcons sideline after an incomplete pass. As Bryant went at Foxworth, Smith stepped in, delivered a few words and pointed in the direction of the field. Bryant obliged. Message delivered.

KEY STAT

Falcons linebacker Coy Wire, playing with the first unit, had nine tackles, eight solo, one assist. Wire replaced Michael Boley in the base defense and had his named called plenty.

BIG HIT

Foxworth drilled Buccaneers tight end Alex Smith, jarring the ball loose on a near first-down completion in the fourth quarter. Honorable mention goes to Falcons receiver Harry Douglas, who delivered a hit to Phillip Buchanon while carrying the ball out of the wildcat formation.

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED

1. The Falcons are right back in the forefront of the playoff race. Last week’s loss to New Orleans looked very detrimental. However, after handing Tampa Bay its second straight loss, the teams are tied behind Carolina.

2. Matt Ryan proved human. He was off on several passes, including both his interceptions. His pass near the end zone to Roddy White was underthrown and intercepted by Aqib Talib. On the next drive he threw behind White and was intercepted by Ronde Barber.

3. Penalties killed Tampa Bay all day. Maybe it was the Georgia Dome crowd, again many empty seats shy of capacity. The Bucs cost themselves 76 yards with the 11 infractions.