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Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick & Prediction JAN 3TH 2021
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recap JAN 3TH 2021
Deion Jones returned a Jameis Winston interception 27 yards for the game-winning touchdown on the first play of overtime to give the visiting Atlanta Falcons the 28-22 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday's regular-season finale.
Atlanta's Matt Ryan finished 30 of 51 for 301 yards and one touchdown, while kicker Younghoe Koo was 5-for-5 on field goals for the Falcons (7-9).
Atlanta opened the scoring with a trick play. Offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo checked in as an eligible receiver, and the Buccaneers (7-9) did not adjust correctly, as Ryan found Sambrailo for a 35-yard touchdown up the seam. It was the longest touchdown reception by an offensive lineman since at least 1950.
A field goal from Koo put the Falcons up 10-0 after the first quarter, but the Buccaneers started the second quarter by finishing a nine-play, 67-yard drive for a 2-yard Cameron Brate touchdown reception.
Koo nailed a field goal on the next possession, and then Winston threw an interception that put the Falcons in the red zone. But Jason Pierre-Paul strip-sacked Ryan, and Devin White returned it 91 yards for a touchdown.
The score put the Tampa Bay ahead for the first time in the game, 14-13, and was the longest fumble return in Buccaneers history.
Koo hit his third field goal with about a minute left, but Winston quickly drove Tampa Bay down the field. With 20 seconds left at the Atlanta 24, Winston was flushed out of the pocket and threw a prayer into the back of the end zone. Breshad Perriman came down with the ball for the score, giving the Bucs a 22-16 halftime lead.
After a scoreless third quarter, Koo kicked his fourth field goal with 6:32 left in regulation to cut the Tampa Bay lead to 22-19. Koo then kicked another field goal as time expired -- capping a 65-yard drive -- to send the game into overtime.
Winston finished 13 of 24 for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Tampa Bay. With the performance, he became the eighth player in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season.
He also became the first player to finish a season with at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, and set an NFL record for pick-sixes in a season with seven.
Matt Gay was 0-for-3 on field goals for Tampa Bay, missing from 49, 44 and 34 yards.
--Field Level Media
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, but coach Bruce Arians still has a major task at the forefront of his mind.
Arians not only wants to close the regular season with a victory in Sunday's game against the visiting Atlanta Falcons, but he also wants to see Mike Evans' name standing alone in the record books.
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Evans needs 40 receiving yards against the Falcons (4-11) to become the first player in NFL history to reach 1,000 in each of his first seven NFL seasons. Evans shares the current mark of six with Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
"I desperately want that to happen," Arians said. "Whatever he needs or whatever he has left -- I'm sure Atlanta's not going to want to give it to him, so we'll have to find some creative ways to get it for him."
There were certainly times when it looked like there wasn't much of a chance of the streak being extended.
Evans, 27, was bothered by a hamstring injury at the outset of the campaign and later suffered an ankle injury. He had just 2 receiving yards -- yes 2 -- in both Weeks 1 and 3.
When he had just 10 yards in Week 6, Evans' total was at 281. Even in mid-December, he had just 669 yards with three games left.
But Evans heated up quickly. He had 110 yards in Week 15 when the Buccaneers (10-5) defeated the Falcons 31-17, and had his top outing of the campaign on Dec. 26 when he had 10 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-7 rout of the Detroit Lions.
And just like that, Evans' total sits at 960 as he closes in on the record.
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"Early in the season, I was hurt really bad," Evans said. "But it's my job to play, like I always say. It just feels good. I'm getting back on track and getting healthier."
Despite the slow start, Evans has 67 receptions and a franchise-record 13 touchdown catches, breaking the mark he set in 2014 and 2016.
Evans meshes well with Tom Brady as the quarterback has set a franchise mark with 36 touchdown passes while throwing for 4,234 yards and 11 interceptions.
The Buccaneers are also hoping to have running back Ronald Jones II (900 rushing yards) back on the field. Jones came off the reserve/COVID-19 list but still is dealing with a fractured pinkie. He was limited in practice Wednesday, as was cornerback Carlton Davis (groin) and linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (knee).
While Tampa Bay is seeking a fourth straight victory, the Falcons are hoping to avoid a fifth straight loss.
In fact, Atlanta fans won't be overly crushed with another loss as many are consumed with the 2021 draft order. Only two teams -- the New York Jets (2-13) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) -- have fewer victories than the Falcons.
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"Our fan base is very knowledgeable and that's their job to cheer for those types of things, but our job is to go out and win football games," interim head coach Raheem Morris said. "We really love those guys, we really love Atlanta, we love everything we stand for, and when that time comes we'll address those accordingly."
Morris replaced Dan Quinn after the team's 0-5 start and temporarily had things moving in the right direction with four wins in six games. The final game in that stretch was a 43-6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
But the Falcons lost all four of their December games. The losses were all close with the margin of defeats by a combined 15 points.
The season as a whole leaves veteran quarterback Matt Ryan with mixed feelings. He sees all the chances his squad squandered but he feels optimistic about the near future.
"I feel like we've got a good core group of guys here that you can build on and I think we've been competitive," Ryan said. "We just haven't found a way to get the job done in finishing situations enough this year and it's something we definitely have to improve at moving forward."
Veteran receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday and could miss his third straight game.
--Field Level Media
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Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player | Position | Lineup |
---|---|---|
Ricardo Allen | primary: Safety | Starter |
James Carpenter | primary: Left Guard | Starter |
Tyeler Davison | primary: Defensive Tackle | Starter |
Russell Gage | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Grady Jarrett | primary: Defensive Tackle | Starter |
Deion Jones | primary: Linebacker | Starter |
Chris Lindstrom | primary: Right Guard | Starter |
Jake Matthews | primary: Left Tackle | Starter |
Kaleb McGary | primary: Right Tackle | Starter |
Steven Means | primary: Defensive End | Starter |
Keanu Neal | primary: Safety | Starter |
Isaiah Oliver | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Foyesade Oluokun | primary: Linebacker | Starter |
Calvin Ridley | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Matt Ryan | primary: Quarterback | Starter |
Kendall Sheffield | primary: Safety | Starter |
Keith Smith | primary: Fullback | Starter |
Dante Fowler Jr. | primary: Defensive End | Starter |
Todd Gurley | primary: Runningback | Starter |
A.J. Terrell | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Matt Hennessy | primary: Center | Starter |
Luke Stocker | primary: Tight End | Starter |
Allen Bailey | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Christian Blake | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
John Cominsky | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Matt Gono | primary: Offensive Tackle | Substitution |
Jaeden Graham | primary: Tight End | Substitution |
Josh Harris | primary: Long Snapper | Substitution |
Brian Hill | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Younghoe Koo | primary: Kicker | Substitution |
Ito Smith | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner | primary: Defensive Tackle | Substitution |
Hayden Hurst | primary: Tight End | Substitution |
Sharrod Neasman | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Blidi Wreh-Wilson | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
LaRoy Reynolds | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Justin McCray | primary: Guard | Substitution |
Edmond Robinson | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Marlon Davidson | primary: Defensive Tackle | Substitution |
Mykal Walker | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Jaylinn Hawkins | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Sterling Hofrichter | primary: Punter | Substitution |
Chris Rowland | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Charles Harris | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Laquon Treadwell | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Julio Jones | primary: Wide Receiver | Not active |
Qadree Ollison | primary: Runningback | Not active |
Brandon Powell | primary: Wide Receiver | Not active |
Matt Schaub | primary: Quarterback | Did not play |
Deadrin Senat | primary: Defensive Tackle | Not active |
John Wetzel | primary: Offensive Tackle | Did not play |
Devin Gray | primary: Wide Receiver | Did not play |
Tyler Hall | primary: Cornerback | Not active |
Jared Pinkney | primary: Tight End | Not active |
Darqueze Dennard | primary: Defensive Back | Not active |
Player | Position | Lineup |
---|---|---|
Sean Murphy-Bunting | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Alex Cappa | primary: Right Guard | Starter |
Lavonte David | primary: Inside Linebacker | Starter |
Jamel Dean | primary: Cornerback | Starter |
Mike Evans | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
William Gholston | primary: Defensive Linesman | Starter |
Chris Godwin | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Ryan Jensen | primary: Center | Starter |
Ali Marpet | primary: Left Guard | Starter |
Anthony Nelson | primary: Outside Linebacker | Starter |
Rakeem Nunez-Roches | primary: Nose Tackle | Starter |
Jason Pierre-Paul | primary: Outside Linebacker | Starter |
Donovan Smith | primary: Left Tackle | Starter |
Jordan Whitehead | primary: Safety | Starter |
Tom Brady | primary: Quarterback | Starter |
Kevin Minter | primary: Inside Linebacker | Starter |
Ndamukong Suh | primary: Defensive Linesman | Starter |
Rob Gronkowski | primary: Tight End | Starter |
Tristan Wirfs | primary: Right Tackle | Starter |
Antoine Winfield Jr. | primary: Safety | Starter |
Leonard Fournette | primary: Runningback | Starter |
Antonio Brown | primary: Wide Receiver | Starter |
Antony Auclair | primary: Tight End | Substitution |
Cameron Brate | primary: Tight End | Substitution |
Jack Cichy | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Mike Edwards | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Ronald Jones II | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Herb Miller | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
Scotty Miller | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Patrick O'Connor | primary: Defensive Linesman | Substitution |
Bradley Pinion | primary: Punter | Substitution |
Ryan Smith | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
Aaron Stinnie | primary: Guard | Substitution |
Zach Triner | primary: Long Snapper | Substitution |
Justin Watson | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Joe Haeg | primary: Offensive Tackle | Substitution |
Andrew Adams | primary: Safety | Substitution |
Ke'Shawn Vaughn | primary: Runningback | Substitution |
Tyler Johnson | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Khalil Davis | primary: Defensive Linesman | Substitution |
Chapelle Russell | primary: Inside Linebacker | Substitution |
Benning Potoa'e | primary: Defensive End | Substitution |
Cam Gill | primary: Linebacker | Substitution |
Josh Wells | primary: Offensive Tackle | Substitution |
Jaydon Mickens | primary: Wide Receiver | Substitution |
Ryan Succop | primary: Kicker | Substitution |
Ross Cockrell | primary: Cornerback | Substitution |
Carlton Davis | primary: Cornerback | Not active |
Ryan Griffin | primary: Quarterback | Not active |
Tanner Hudson | primary: Tight End | Not active |
Jeremiah Ledbetter | primary: Defensive Tackle | Not active |
Blaine Gabbert | primary: Quarterback | Did not play |
LeSean McCoy | primary: Runningback | Not active |
Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Match Start
- Period 1
-
MIN 0
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 29 Yards
- FG Kicker: Ryan Succop
-
MIN 3
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 22 Yards
- FG Kicker: Younghoe Koo
-
MIN 11
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 29 Yards
- Pass Receiver: Chris Godwin
- Passer: Tom Brady
- Conv Kicker: Ryan Succop
- Period 2
-
MIN 0
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 25 Yards
- FG Kicker: Ryan Succop
-
MIN 1
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Rush
- 1 Yards
- Rusher: Matt Ryan
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
-
MIN 8
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 38 Yards
- FG Kicker: Ryan Succop
-
MIN 12
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 25 Yards
- Conv Kicker: Ryan Succop
- Pass Receiver: Antonio Brown
- Passer: Tom Brady
- Period 3
-
MIN 0
- scoring-play
- Field Goal
- 21 Yards
- FG Kicker: Younghoe Koo
-
MIN 8
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 19 Yards
- Passer: Matt Ryan
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
- Pass Receiver: Russell Gage
- Period 4
-
MIN 2
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 30 Yards
- Passer: Tom Brady
- Conv Kicker: Ryan Succop
- Pass Receiver: Antonio Brown
-
MIN 3
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 4 Yards
- Conv Kicker: Ryan Succop
- Passer: Tom Brady
- Pass Receiver: Chris Godwin
-
MIN 8
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Pass
- 1 Yards
- Pass Receiver: Hayden Hurst
- Passer: Matt Ryan
- Conv Kicker: Younghoe Koo
-
MIN 11
- scoring-play
- Touchdown
- Rush
- 3 Yards
- Rusher: Ronald Jones II
- Conv Kicker: Ryan Succop
- Match End
GAMES
Last 10
- @Tampa Bay L 27 - 44
- @Kansas City L 14 - 17
- Tampa Bay L 31 - 27
- @L.A. Chargers L 17 - 20
- New Orleans L 21 - 16
- Las Vegas W 6 - 43
- @New Orleans L 9 - 24
- Denver W 27 - 34
- @Carolina W 25 - 17
- Detroit L 23 - 22
- @New Orleans W 30 - 20
- @Washington W 31 - 23
- Atlanta W 27 - 44
- @Detroit W 47 - 7
- @Atlanta W 31 - 27
- Minnesota W 14 - 26
- Kansas City L 27 - 24
- L.A. Rams L 27 - 24
- @Carolina W 46 - 23
- New Orleans L 38 - 3
Last Meetings
Last Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-
Alex Cappa
AnkleI-R | I-RCappa has been designated for the injured reserve list due to a fractured ankle.
-
Jeremiah Ledbetter
CalfQues Jan 24 | questionableLedbetter is dealing with a calf injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up in the NFC Championship game against the Packers.
-
LeSean McCoy
UndisclosedProb Sun | probableMcCoy is tending to an unlisted issue, but he is likely to play against the Saints in the NFC divisional round.
-
Ronald Jones II
QuadricepQues Sun | questionableJones II is nursing a quad injury, leaving his status for the NFC divisional round versus the Saints hazy.
-
Chris Godwin
HipProb Sun | probableGodwin has injuries to his hip and quad, but it is anticipated that he will be active for the NFC divisional round versus the Saints.
-
Carlton Davis
GroinProb Sun | probableDavis has a groin injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field against the Saints in the NFC divisional round.
-
Mike Evans
KneeProb Sun | probableEvans is battling a knee injury, but he is projected to take the field for the NFC divisional round versus the Saints.
-
Kevin Minter
IllnessOut indefinitely | I-RMinter has been assigned to the COVID-19 list, and it is uncertain how long he will take to pass protocol.
Trends
Tampa Bay Trends
- TrendUnder is 10-3 in Buccaneers last 13 games as a home underdog of 3.5-10.0.Hit %76.90% (13)O/U3|10Push0W/L
- TrendOver is 8-3 in Buccaneers last 11 games as an underdog.Hit %72.70% (11)O/U8|3Push0W/L
- TrendOver is 36-15 in Buccaneers last 51 games as an underdog of 0.5-3.0.Hit %70.60% (51)O/U36|15Push0W/L
- TrendOver is 4-1 in Buccaneers last 5 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.Hit %80.00% (5)O/U4|1Push0W/L
Atlanta Trends
- TrendOver is 3-1-1 in Falcons last 5 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater.Hit %75.00% (5)O/U3|1Push1W/L
- TrendUnder is 39-17-1 in Falcons last 57 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.Hit %69.60% (57)O/U17|39Push1W/L
- TrendUnder is 4-0 in Falcons last 4 games as a road underdog.Hit %100.00% (4)O/U0|4Push0W/L
- TrendUnder is 6-1 in Falcons last 7 games as an underdog.Hit %85.70% (7)O/U8|3Push0W/L
Meetings Trends
- TrendOver is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.Hit %100.00% (5)O/U5|0Push0W/L
- TrendUnderdog is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.Hit %100.00% (4)O/UPush0W/L0|4
- TrendHome team is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.Hit %71.40% (7)O/UPush0W/L5|2