Falcons down Bucs 20-10 to snap streak

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

TAMPA – Falcons owner Arthur Blank walked back up with tunnel with the team and, finally rid of his franchise's most notorious shortcoming, flashed both of his thumbs upward.

Mission accomplished.

The Falcons, behind a strong rushing performance from backup running back Jason Snelling and a stingy defense, pounded Tampa Bay into submission for a 20-10 victory on a significant Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. The win delivered the Falcons a winning record of 9-7, marking the first time in the team's history that it has posted consecutive winning seasons. Last season, the team finished 11-5 and reached the playoffs.

"It feels great," said Blank, who spoke to the team after the game and was presented the game ball. "It's a tribute to the players, coaching staff and the organization."

During his remarks, Blank paid tribute to the former players and their contributions to the franchise, which since its inception in 1966 had never known back-to-back winning years.

"I'm proud for Atlanta," Blank said. "I'm proud for our fans. I'm proud of all of the players who contributed so many years to this franchise. It's great."

Veteran center Todd McClure, who tied a franchise record by making his 128th consecutive start, had the biggest smile. He's been with the franchise the longest, having completed his 11th season.

"It was great to get the monkey off of our backs," McClure said. "To get that done was a big deal."

General manager Thomas Dimitroff was similarly elated. The streak was terminated in his first two seasons with the organization.

"Honestly, I couldn't imagine going into next season and knowing that we had to win two more seasons to accomplish something that should have been accomplished a while ago," Dimitroff said. "This team fought hard for 60 minutes all season even during the challenging times."

After being eliminated from the playoffs with three games to play, the players rallied around ending a streak that most of them had nothing to do with starting.

Quarterback Matt Ryan wasn't even born when the Falcons were founded.

"This is huge for the organization," Ryan said. "I'm happy for Mr. Blank and his family. ... I'm happy for all of the former players. The guys that we get to meet at practice during the offseason and during training camp. You get to meet them and you get to see what they've gone through during their time here."

The Falcons made it interesting, creaking off to a slow start. Returner Eric Weems fumbled the opening kickoff. Tampa Bay recovered and turned the good field position into a field goal and a quick 3-0 lead.

Matt Bryant's 36-yard field goal tied it with 4:09 left it the second quarter. The Falcons then took the lead on the last play of the first half, Ryan tossing a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Justin Peelle. Bryant's extra point made it 10-3 at halftime.

"We wanted to run the football in the second half," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "We felt we could wear them down."

After Tampa Bay's Corey Lynch blocked a Falcons' field goal attempt with 2:30 left in the third, the Bucs scored on an eight-yard pass from Josh Freeman to Antonio Bryant with 11:41 left in the game to tie the game, 10-10.

Ryan botched the next possession by throwing the second of his two interceptions, but on the next play, Freeman threw into heavy coverage and was intercepted by Atlanta's Christopher Owens at Tampa Bay's 44.

"That interception really got the momentum back on our side," Smith said.

After four straight runs by Snelling, including a 22-yard gain up the middle, Ryan tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White to make it 17-10 with 7:18 to play.

On Tampa Bay's ensuing possession, cornerback Brent Grimes intercepted a pass in the end zone intended for Bryant.

With 4:14 to play and the ball at their 20, the Falcons handed the ball to Snelling seven straight times to move into field goal range. Bryant added another 36-yard field goal to wrap up the scoring.

"I can't say enough about Jason Snelling," Smith said. "It was nice to see him churn those yards out. Those were hard fought yards."

With the Bucs misfiring in the passing game and unable to run the ball all day -- the team netted only 38 yards in 22 attempts -- it was just a matter winding off the final 2:28 and one the NFL's most dubious streaks was over.