The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed an overtime field goal to secure a 23-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons, despite having led by 17 points early in the second half.
© Getty Images
The Falcons offense was struggling early on as Matt Ryan threw an interception while looking for Julio Jones in the endzone, but a holding penalty saw the play called back, leaving Matt Bryant to kick the field goal.
Jones fumbled later in the first quarter when he was tackled by Kwon Alexander, while the home side lost the ball again soon after when the quarterback was unable to keep hold of a low snap.
© Getty Images
Connor Barth put Tampa Bay ahead with a couple of field goals following the turnovers, before a Ryan interception handed possession back to the visitors just before the break, setting up Jameis Winston to find Cameron Brate for a touchdown.
Ryan fumbled again early in the second half, setting up the Buccaneers for another touchdown, with Winston keeping the ball himself to run over from three yards out.
The Falcons got themselves back into the game late in the third quarter, though, as Jacob Tamme found himself in space to collect a short pass from Ryan, cutting Tampa Bay's lead to 10 points.
Devonta Freeman made a series of runs to try to get a second touchdown on the board for Atlanta as the game headed into the fourth quarter, but the running back was tackled short, forcing the home side to settle for another Bryant field goal.
The Falcons still needed a touchdown to force overtime heading into the final minute of the game, and Ryan managed to squeeze the ball through to Jones at the back of the endzone.
© Getty Images
The Buccaneers had the first possession in overtime, but Winston could not get another touchdown, forcing the visitors to settle for a field goal, and giving Atlanta a chance to snatch the win, but the home side were unable to get into field goal range with their possession.
The win gives the Buccaneers a 3-4 record this season, while the Falcons slip to 6-2, leaving them second in the NFC South.
Sian Cowper
