Falcons Stun Buccaneers with Walk-Off Field Goal, NFC South Race Tightens
A dramatic 29-28 victory for the Atlanta Falcons over the Tampa bay Buccaneers on Thursday night has thrown the NFC South into turmoil, leaving the Buccaneers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance.A late-game collapse by Tampa Bay, coupled with a stellar performance from Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, resulted in a stunning defeat at Raymond James Stadium.
Buccaneers’ Lead Erased in Fourth-Quarter collapse
The Buccaneers appeared to be firmly in control for much of the game, but the falcons mounted a remarkable comeback, erasing a two-touchdown deficit in the final 10 minutes. The game culminated in a 43-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez as time expired, securing the win for Atlanta. This marked Cousins’ 32nd career comeback victory, fueled by a crucial fourth-and-14 conversion late in the drive.
Playoff Implications Loom Large
With the loss, Tampa Bay’s record falls to 7-7, while the Falcons improve to 5-9. More significantly, the Carolina Panthers (7-6) now hold the upper hand in the NFC South race. The Buccaneers now trail Carolina and will need assistance from an unlikely source to regain control of the division.
Saints Hold Key to Buccaneers’ Fate
Tampa Bay’s hopes now rest on the shoulders of the struggling New Orleans Saints, who currently hold a 3-10 record. The Buccaneers will be closely watching Sunday’s matchup between the Saints and Panthers, hoping for an upset that would create a tie for the division lead. Tampa bay has enjoyed four consecutive division titles, but faces a formidable challenge from a resurgent Carolina team, which has won six of its last nine games. The Buccaneers and Panthers are scheduled to face each other twice in the final three weeks of the season, setting the stage for a possibly decisive showdown. Notably, no team has won the NFC South five years in a row since the division’s inception in 2002.
Evans Returns, Mayfield Connects
After a six-game absence due to a broken collarbone, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans made a meaningful impact in his return. He finished with six receptions for 132 yards,his second-highest output of the 2024 season. Evans’ performance was notably notable after Atlanta cornerback mike Hughes suffered an ankle injury, opening the door for undrafted free agent cobee Bryant to step in and be targeted repeatedly by quarterback Baker Mayfield. Evans was targeted 12 times throughout the game.
Pitts Dominates Buccaneers’ Defense
Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts continued to haunt the Buccaneers,delivering a career performance. He recorded a career-high 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns – the first three-touchdown game of his five-year career. This performance came with Drake London sidelined due to a knee injury, elevating Pitts to Atlanta’s primary receiving threat. He has amassed 338 receiving yards over the past three games, a stark contrast to his single touchdown catch prior to this stretch.
Penalties Plague Falcons’ Victory
Despite the win, the Falcons were hampered by a staggering number of penalties. Atlanta committed 19 penalties, the most by any NFL team in the last five seasons and the most by the franchise since at least 1999, according to TruMedia. Cornerback A.J. Terrell was flagged five times, though three were accepted. These penalties resulted in 125 yards lost for the Falcons.
cousins’ Continued Success against Tampa Bay
Kirk Cousins has consistently found success against the buccaneers, and Thursday’s game was no exception. He completed 30 of 44 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Over his last three games against Tampa Bay, dating back to the beginning of 2024, Cousins has thrown for 1,158 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just one interception, suggesting a favorable matchup for the veteran quarterback.
