Falcons 31, Bucs 26 – Bucs lose to Atlanta Falcons in Week 8

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers narrowly lost to the Atlanta Falcons 31:26. Baker Mayfield completed 37 of 50 attempts for 330 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Cade Otton led the offensive attack with 81 yards on 10 receptions and two touchdowns.

Tampa Bay won the toss and went on offense. Jessie Bates III knocked the ball out on the second play from scrimmage and recovered it at the 43-yard line, sending Kirk Cousins ​​and Co. onto the field. On fourth down, after Drake London dropped a screen on third down, Kyle Pitts fought his way over the Bucs' defense and Cousins ​​easily hit him for a 36-yard touchdown. Atlanta took advantage of the turnover and took an early 7-0 lead at Raymond James Stadium.

Bucky Irving became the catalyst for Tampa Bay's ensuing drive with deadly jump cuts and outstanding vision behind his blockers. Baker Mayfield kept the ball to keep the drive alive by converting fourth-and-1. Cade Otton capped the 15-play, 70-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown on National Tight End's Day. The Bucs defense responded with pressure. Calijah Kancey quickly got around the guard on second down and forced a missed throw. On the ensuing play, Lavonte sent David Cousins ​​running for his life and the Falcons had to punt on an incompletion.

On the Bucs' next possession, the team converted third-and-8 with a Mayfield throw to Cade Otton. Otton beat a Falcons defender with a hurdle throw from 29 yards. Rachaad White capped the 12-play drive by catching a pass from Mayfield and accelerating down the left sideline for an 18-yard score. On the next possession after a 49-yard touchdown by Kyle Pitts, the Falcons tied the game at 14. It appeared Antoine Winfield Jr. shot the ball out of bounds right at the goal line, but upon closer inspection it was determined to be a goal for Atlanta. The Bucs' offense stalled and the Falcons took the lead after Cousins ​​connected with Darnell Mooney for a 30-yard touchdown. Mooney worked over the top to give Atlanta a 21-14 cushion. Despite a 25-yard pickup to Trey Palmer on the ensuing drive that gave the Bucs the lead at the 34-yard line, the club had to settle for a 52-yard field goal before halftime.

Younghoe Koo hit a 39-yarder before halftime to give the Falcons a 24-17 lead as both teams headed to the locker room.

The Falcons' offense stalled on the break and Trey Palmer returned the punt to the Tampa Bay 39-yard line. The Bucs converted on third-and-12 with a first down from rookie Jalen McMillan. Irving showed off his agility and contact balance on the drive, evading tacklers to gain distance. The drive was cut short when Mayfield was intercepted by Bates at the Atlanta eight-yard line on an attempted flea flicker, forcing Cousins ​​and the Falcons' offense back onto the field. Atlanta was unable to capitalize on points and CJ Brewer managed to sack Cousins ​​on first down. He quickly collapsed the pocket by advancing to the middle and set up the second and long strike.

The Bucs then attempted a fake punt, but Tavierre Thomas was returned just short of the sticks and the Falcons took over at the Tampa Bay 38-yard line. Bijan Robinson scored from 36 yards, but the touchdown was canceled due to a holding penalty. The Falcons still reached the end zone thanks to a six-yard touchdown pass from Cousins ​​to Robinson. Atlanta took a 31-17 lead over the Bucs after Cousins ​​completed his fourth touchdown pass of the day to end the third quarter.

The Bucs marched down the field on a cross route after a 20-yard gain by Rakim Jarrett, but the promising drive was halted after Mayfield was picked off by AJ Terrell at the Atlanta six-yard line on fourth down to begin. A subsequent fumble by Cousins ​​resulted in the Bucs being safe as the ball rolled out of bounds in the end zone, making the score 31-19.

For the Bucs on the following drive, a 10-yard scramble by Mayfield on third-and-4 and a 19-yard gain by Rakim Jarrett on an out route set up Otton's 4-yard touchdown, tying the score at halftime 31-26 scored by the final frame.

On Atalanta's ensuing drive, Cousins ​​gained 13 yards from second-and-14. Tyler Allgeier was stopped for no gain by Brewer on third down, but the Falcons tried it on fourth down and converted on a quarterback keeper. The Falcons were forced to kick a field goal, but Koo's 46-yard attempt was useless. The Bucs took over with no timeouts remaining. A 19-yard gain from Jarrett gave the Bucs a chance for a Hail Mary with nine seconds left. Mayfield's long heave went out of bounds, sealing the 31-26 loss.