4 Takeaways From the Falcons' Win Over the Buccaneers

[ad_1] What ought to have been an announcement victory for Tampa Bay's returning stars as an alternative turned one other chapter of their late-season unraveling, as Mike Evans' triumphant return from damage was overshadowed by defensive breakdowns and missed alternatives.

The Bucs' failure to salt away a 28-26 lead with beneath two minutes remaining epitomizes their present struggles, leaving them clinging to playoff hopes regardless of controlling their very own future in a wide-open NFC South race.

Listed here are my takeaways:

1. For the Bucs, an unmitigated collapse in the long run Tampa Bay was up 14 factors with 10 minutes to go, in line for the right-the-ship win they sorely wanted. A Falcons workforce that had misplaced seven of eight and way back misplaced something to play for however pleasure drove down the sector 3 times to beat them.

A yr in the past, Kirk Cousins destroyed the Bucs twice, throwing for eight touchdowns, together with a 500-yard sport. He did extra of the identical once more Thursday, ending with 373 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. In his final three video games towards the Bucs: 11 touchdowns, 1 interception. In 14 video games towards anybody else: 9 TDs, 14 INTs.

The Bucs protection within the ultimate 10 minutes gave up a landing to working again Bijan Robinson and a 3rd landing move from Cousins to tight finish Kyle Pitts (who had a profession day, extra on that later), and even then, the Bucs had a 28-26 lead. The offense might have salted away the ultimate minutes, however they didn’t, punting it again to Atlanta with 1:49 left.

A penalty and sack backed the Falcons right into a third-and-28 scenario, they usually received out of it, with a 14-yard throw to Pitts, and on fourth-and-14, a 21-yard throw to receiver David Sills to maintain the drive alive. Atlanta received yet another first down, permitting them to run the clock down and win on a 43-yard subject objective by Zane Gonzalez as time expired.

Cousins within the fourth quarter alone: 13-for-18 for 154 yards and a landing.

Per week in the past, the Bucs might discover solace that they hadn’t misplaced to any dangerous groups this season. Now in a span of 5 days, they’ve misplaced at dwelling to a 2-10 Saints workforce and a 4-9 Falcons workforce, dropping their grip on the NFC South divisional lead.

2. Kyle Pitts loves taking part in the Bucs If solely Kyle Pitts might play the Bucs each week.

He had two touchdowns within the Falcons’ second win towards the Bucs final yr, after which had two touchdowns whole over the subsequent 22 video games earlier than Thursday’s sport. Tonight, Pitts went off once more – six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns within the first half, working wild by the Tampa Bay protection. He added a 3rd landing within the fourth quarter, ending with 11 catches for a career-best 166 yards and three scores.

For his profession, Pitts averages 44 yards per sport, however he’s by no means had that few in eight profession video games towards the Bucs. He has six touchdowns in these eight video games, and eight touchdowns in 67 video games towards everybody else.

(Photograph by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photographs)

As a lot as he’s panned as a former top-five choose that’s dissatisfied in his 4 seasons, Pitts has come on sturdy of late in receiver Drake London’s absence. Thursday was his third straight sport with a minimum of 80 receiving yards. He is placing himself in place to be a coveted free agent subsequent spring, whether or not it’s again in Atlanta or signing elsewhere.

3. Penalties practically killed the Falcons Penalties saved the Bucs within the sport within the first half – 10 flags for 70 yards towards the Falcons – after which it received comical within the third quarter. The Falcons gave the Bucs three first downs contained in the 10-yard line, together with a facemask to the 6, an unlawful contact on a third-and-13 incompletion, then a tripping penalty to the 4.

The Falcons gave the Bucs eight first downs on penalties. That matches essentially the most by any workforce in any sport this season. Atlanta’s 19 whole penalties is a franchise report. The outdated mark of 17 had stood since 1978 in a sport towards the 49ers.

4. The loss spoiled Mike Evans’ return from damage Up 14 within the fourth quarter, the story seemed to be the Bucs offense returning to kind within the wholesome return of receiver Mike Evans, who had missed six video games with a damaged collarbone. He got here again in an enormous approach, catching six passes for 132 yards.

Receiver Jalen McMillan additionally returned and performed for the primary time all season, sidelined after a preseason damage that fractured three bones in his neck. McMillan had two catches for 38 yards, together with a catch contained in the 1-yard line to arrange the Bucs’ first landing. Chris Godwin, working his approach again from two leg accidents, had his first landing of the season and caught a two-point conversion.

4 ½. Subsequent week looms big for NFC South Tampa Bay is 7-7, however one way or the other nonetheless controls its playoff future. Two of their three remaining video games are towards Carolina (7-6) and it doesn't matter what else occurs, in the event that they sweep these two video games, they win the NFC South for a fifth yr in a row.

Carolina faces the Saints on Sunday – New Orleans gained in Charlotte earlier this yr – and a Panthers win would give them first place heading right into a showdown with the Bucs in Charlotte subsequent weekend. If Carolina can win its subsequent two video games, they’ll clinch the division subsequent week with the win over Tampa Bay.

Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade masking the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Instances and The Athletic. You'll be able to observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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