Atlanta Falcons lose 5th straight in heartbreaker, 23-19
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Falcons have now lost five straight games, falling on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in devastating fashion, 23-19. This road loss stings.
The Atlanta Falcons were unable to win a must-win game against division rival Tampa Bay, falling to the Bucs 23-19 on Sunday and 0-2 to them on the season. Atlanta needed to win this game to have a realistic shot at making the NFC Playoffs, but falling back to .500 after a 5-0 start is certainly troubling for the Falcons’ improbable playoff aspirations.
Atlanta held a 9-7 lead at halftime thanks to three Shayne Graham field goals in the first half. He went 4-4 in his field goal attempts and had an additional point on the PAT after the Nick Williams touchdown pass. He’s been solid the last two weeks with kicker Matt Bryant dealing with a quadriceps injury.
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The difference in this game was ultimately Tampa Bay got in the end zone thrice and Atlanta only did once. Though Matt Ryan played great outside of the game-sealing interception, Jameis Winston was the better quarterback on Sunday.
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Winston orchestrated two fantastic drives for the surprisingly good Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. He leaned on running back Doug Martin on their first score, but managed to take it in himself on an impressive 5-yard scamper. The Bucs’ second touchdown came on heavy lifting from both running back Charles Sims and wide receiver Vincent Jackson before Martin went up and over for the 1-yard touchdown score.
Atlanta was able to hang in this game because of the leg of Graham and forcing Tampa to punt on a few drives. However, that last drive had two key moments go in the Buccaneers favor. A certain Paul Worrilow interception was shamefully nullified by a Desmond Trufant pass interference. Atlanta would have had possession leading 19-16 late in the fourth quarter.
The other ridiculous play was on a 20-yard third down conversion by the legs of Jameis Winston, getting just enough to get a new set of downs on a 3rd and 19. Winston escaped the collapsing pocket before colliding with Paul Worrilow and Kroy Biermann ten yards short of the first down, only to re-gather his footing and dive for the vital third down conversion. Tampa Bay was in striking distance and a go-ahead Mike Evans touchdown pass game Tampa a four-point lead.
The Atlanta Falcons have lost three straight must-win games. This was a winnable game and the football team continues to make its biggest mistakes in the biggest moments. It’s almost uncanny, but that is why the team keeps losing these close games. The focus isn’t there when its minutes to midnight.
Next: Atlanta Falcons face Buccaneers in divisional showdown
This loss was soul-crushing and it seems nearly impossible that the team will get back into playoff contention this year. Things aren’t going to get better next week as the Atlanta Falcons will travel to Charlotte to take on the undefeated Carolina Panthers.