TAMPA – The Falcons ended their five-game losing streak with a 27-17 victory over the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
It wasn’t a thing of beauty as both teams combined to commit 15 penalties. But even if the win was a little sloppy, the Falcons will take it.
GAME BALLS: Veterans Osi Umenyiora and Dwight Lowery stepped forward and made key plays to protect the Falcons' fourth-quarter lead. Umenyiora had a meaningful sack at crunch-time on a key third down and Lowery intercepted a pass in the end zone with the Bucs trying to rally. The defense, which couldn't get a stop against Detroit on their final drive in London, were able to stand up to the Bucs.
B – Quarterback: Matt Ryan completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown. He has a passer rating of 96. He underthrew Julio Jones on a deep ball in the first quarter. Later, Jones and Devin Hester both had dropped passes.
B – Running backs: Steven Jackson rushed for a season-high 81 yards on 16 carries. He had a long of 27 yards. The Falcons rushed for 110 yards on 28 carries. It was the fourth time this season the Falcons rushed for more than 100 yards in a game.
B — Wide receivers/Tight ends: Jones finished with 8 catches for 119 yards and had a 39-yard gainer. Roddy White was steady as he caught all six of the passes thrown his way for 72 yards and had the go-ahead touchdown reception. With the offense running out of heavy formations, Harry Douglas' snaps were cut. He only had three targets and caught the key two-point conversion. Hester caught one of his four targets after not having a catch in the last outing.
B — Offensive Line: The Falcons opened some holes in the run game and protected Ryan, who was sacked just once and hit three times. All together, the Falcons have started six different combinations. In addition to going big with Carimi at Jumbo tight end, the starters were left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Justin Blalock, center James Stone, right guard Jon Asamoah and right tackle Ryan Schraeder. "I thought our offensive line did a great job today," Ryan said. "Having some continuity was really good for those guys." Ryan has been a big supporter of Stone, an undrafted rookie and the third center to start this season. "He's doing a tremendous job of getting those guys on the same page," Ryan said. "Ryan Schraeder has come in at right tackle and (has played well)."
B — Defensive line: Defensive linemen Osi Umenyiora (1.5), Kroy Biermann (1.5) and Jonathan Babineaux (one) had sacks for the defense. "We had critical plays on the defensive side," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Those sacks in the first quarter, you don't remember them. You remember them in the last two or three minutes of a football game much more. That's when you really want to make the play when you're rushing the passer." Umenyiora and Biermann also had three quarterback hits each. "We've been improving our rush and getting to the quarterback more and more," defensive end Malliciah Goodman said. "We have not executed on the sacks, but today it showed. We were just being relentless." The defensive linemen also created a turnover. Goodman forced Bucs running back Charles Sims to fumble in the third quarter and defensive end Stansly Maponga recovered the ball.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
B — Linebackers: Paul Worrilow led the Falcons in tackles with 10 and had a quarterback hit. The Falcons didn't put him pass coverage much as they used Dwight Lowery as a linebacker and had rookie safety Dezmen Southward back deep in certain situations. Joplo Bartu finished with three tackles and Prince Shembo had one quarterback hit. The group helped to hold Tampa Bay's running backs in check. Charles Sims, Michael James and Bobby Rainey were held to 53 yards on 18 carries.
C — Defensive backs: Second-year cornerback Robert Alford had another penalty, but came up with the big tipped pass that was intercepted by Lowery. Alford battled through a tough day. Trufant dropped an interception that he likely could have taken back for a touchdown.Tampa Bay rookie wide receiver Mike Evans had seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. The Bucs also used their rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who had five catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. Safety Kemal Ishmael also had an interception. Newly acquired safety Charles Godfrey was the only active non-quarterback to not play in the game.
C — Special teams: Returner Devin Hester broke loose for a 48-yard kickoff return. Also, linebacker Nate Stupar had two tackles, including a touchdown-saving stop. Kicker Matt Bryant made field goals of 37, 43, 44 and 33 yards. Matt Bosher averaged 48 yards on three punts. The coverage units let Bucs punt returner Marcus Thigpen break loose for a 53-yard return in the third quarter.
C-plus — Coaches: The offense came out and established the ground attack. Then Falcons are now 3-1 when they rush for more than 100 yards in a game. Protecting against the deep passes that have plagued the unit, the Falcons gave the Bucs receivers a lot of room to work underneath. The basically dared Josh McCown to beat them with precision passes and he couldn't do it.
NEXT UP: The Falcons (3-6) play the Carolina Panthers (3-4-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Charlotte. The Panthers play the Philadelphia Eagles today on Monday Night Football.
FALCONS FAN MAILBAG: We take your questions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT -- ICYMI
GAME STORY: Falcons beat Bucs, end 5-game losing streak
NOTEBOOK: Jackson powers rushing attack with 81 yards
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons were saying after the win over the Bucs
PHOTO GALLERY: Falcons at Buccaneers
Falcons victory by the numbers
COLUMN BY JEFF SCHULTZ: Falcons' bad news: no more games vs. Bucs
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