In an offensive shootout, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-30 in overtime. The Falcons scored on their first drive, thanks to a 32-yard gain from Kyle Pitts on the team’s second play from scrimmage. After a 15-yard gain by Drake London, who took advantage of a weakness in the zone, the Atlanta receiver crossed the goal line for an 18-yard touchdown. The seven-play, 70-yard drive gave the Falcons an early 7-0 lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On the Bucs’ ensuing drive, Baker Mayfield’s first pass went to Mike Evans, giving him a lead of 15, and a few plays later he became Mayfield’s preferred target in the middle of the field. Evans punched the defender out of the slant for a nine-yard gain, which was the first down. After a lead of 15 to Cade Otton on the right sideline on third-and-nine and a physical grab by Chris Godwin that gave the Bucs a first-and-goal, Evans scored. Bucky Irving acted as a decoy, drawing the defense’s attention, while Evans remained uncovered in the back of the end zone, tying the score at seven.

On the Falcons’ next drive, Bucs nose tackle Vita Vea stopped their progress with a third-down sack. Todd Bowles loaded the line with seven rushers and Vea finished up the middle and forced a kick from Younghoe Koo. Koo missed a 41-yarder to tie the game at seven. The Bucs followed suit with a six-play drive that culminated in a 53-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin after an incompletion on third down.

The Falcons targeted the middle of the field heavily on the ensuing drive, capped by a 25-yard touchdown from Darnell Mooney. Lavonte David intercepted a pass intended for Pitts in the second period, but the Falcons scored on third-and-14, giving the home team a four-point lead. The Bucs responded immediately with a touchdown on a three-play, 44-yard drive. Mayfield connected with Evans on a corner route and the Bucs outran their NFC South rival to take a 17-14 lead in Atlanta.

On the ensuing possession for Atlanta, Jordan Whitehead flew off the edge on a blitz, and Cousins ​​quickly intercepted the pass and was cited for intentional grounding, resulting in second-and-20. After Bijan Robinson narrowly missed the sticks in the third, Koo hit a 54-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17. For the Bucs, Rachaad White became the catalyst for the following drive. After a counter-run, White gained 56 yards, with Tristan Wirfs and Otton paving the way. He set up the Bucs at the Atlanta 15-yard line, marking the longest run of his career. From third-and-goal, Mayfield connected with his former Sooner teammate for a touchdown. No. 6 took the ball to the back corner of the end zone and passed the ball forward to Sterling Shepard. The Bucs took a 24-17 lead after seven plays and 82 yards.

The Bucs’ defense killed the Falcons’ momentum on the following drive. On first down, Jordan Whitehead sank into bracket coverage and intercepted a pass intended for London, and on the ensuing play Logan Hall dropped Cousins, resulting in a loss of eight yards. A Mooney incompletion on third down forced a Falcons punt.

Mayfield completed 12 of 15 pass attempts for 131 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 142.6 rating in the first half. With his two receiving touchdowns in the first half, Evans posted his 22nd career multi-touchdown performance, surpassing Antonio Gates for the seventh-most such games in NFL history.

By halftime, the Bucs’ offense stalled and the Falcons varied their tempo and advanced down the field. The tide turned on the second descent. Jamel Dean provided great coverage for Mooney downfield and didn’t let his double move deter him. Cousins ​​kept the ball and Anthony Nelson took advantage with an eight-yard sack that set up third-and-22. Koo hit a 48-yard field goal, making the game 24-20.

Mayfield became the X-factor on the ensuing drive, battling through on second down to reach third-and-short. Chris Godwin scored the first down after a sweep and an unnecessary roughness penalty for the Falcons provided extra yards for Tampa Bay. However, Mayfield was sacked by David Onyemata on third-and-short, leading to a 32-yard field goal by McLaughlin. The Bucs had to make do with three players, making it a one-possession game, 27-20.

Just before the end of the third frame, Atlanta’s back-to-back wins brought the Falcons to Tampa Bay’s 18-yard line (Ray Ray McCloud’s 22, Bijan Robinson’s 29). On fourth down, Cousins ​​found Mooney fending off a defender for a 12-yard score. The Falcons evened the score with 27 points in eight plays and 70 yards. The Bucs failed to score on the following drive and settled for three. McLaughlin drilled a 53-yarder to give the visiting team a three-point lead. The Falcons nearly tied the game on their next drive when Koo scored on a 54-yard attempt off a drop by Mooney on third down, but the Bucs’ Tavierre Thomas leapt through the air to block the kick, keeping Tampa Bay’s lead in the driver’s seat.

The Bucs’ drive was cut short by a fumble forced by Jessie Bates III. The ball was recovered by Kaden Ellis at the Atlanta 25-yard line, but Tampa Bay’s defense stepped up. Yaya Diaby applied pressure on a turn and forced the ball out of Cousins’ hands. Lavonte David sat at midfield, read the quarterback’s eyes and undercut the pass for an interception at the Atlanta 35-yard line. He returned the ball from seven yards to 28 yards, shifting the momentum. The Bucs couldn’t score any points and the Falcons took the lead. A 17-yard gain from Mooney down the middle of the field put Atlanta over the midfield line. A few plays later, Cousins ​​shot the ball upfield with one second left. A delay of game penalty forced the Falcons into a 52-yard field goal attempt, and Koo made it, sending the game into overtime.

The Falcons got the ball first on offense and London ran an option route 18 yards to the 45-yard line. Hodge scored from 45 yards to give the Falcons a 36-30 win.