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In-game replay: Devonta Freeman busts open for touchdown run in fourth quarter

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) cuts in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ryan Smith (29) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Credit: Jason Behnken

Credit: Jason Behnken

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) cuts in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ryan Smith (29) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
By Alex Makrides
Dec 19, 2017

The Atlanta Falcons leaned on running back Devonta Freeman for a majority of Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Midway through the fourth quarter, Freeman came up big again as he scored his 30th career rushing touchdown.

Leading 17-14 and facing a third-and-2 at the Buccaneers’ 32-yard line, Freeman collected a toss-sweep pitch from quarterback Matt Ryan while running to the right.

Freeman got outside the numbers where he picked up two nice blocks from tight end Levine Toilolo and pulling right tackle Ryan Schraeder.

Freeman made one more move to elude the last Buccaneer defender -- breaking the defender’s ankles in the process -- and strolled into the end zone to put Atlanta up 24-14.

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