This week, the big lead got away again. The game did not.
A game after the one that saw the Washington Redskins erase a 24-point lead by the Bucs, Tampa Bay had a 17-point lead fritter away. This time, however, the Bucs reversed their fortunes and managed a 23-20 victory in overtime over Atlanta.
The Atlanta Falcons had no problems moving the ball, piling up 496 yards on the afternoons. But the Falcons had four turnovers and were penalized 11 times for 124 yards.
For the Bucs, rookie linebacker Kwon Alexander had a huge game. Playing two days after the death of his younger brother, Alexander had 11 tackles, an interception, and took the ball away from Julio Jones for a fumble recovery.
“Sometimes, football is a haven away form this mad, mean world,” said Bucs’ coach Lovie Smith. “I left it up to him what he wanted to do, and this is what he and his family wanted.”
In overtime, Jameis Winston led the Bucs downfield on a 68-yard drive, converting three third downs on the way until missing Adam Humphries in the end zone. The Bucs had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Connor Barth and, according to rules, the Falcons got a chance with the ball themselves.
Considering the way Matt Ryan had shredded the Bucs all day (397 yards), that was enough to make Bucs’ fans a little nervous. But on second-and-five, Ryan was sacked by Howard Jones. Devonta Freeman recovered the fumble on the play, but on third-and-seven, the Falcons threw incomplete. And on fourth down, Gerald McCoy was wrapped around Ryan’s legs as he threw incomplete.
It was Tampa Bay’s biggest defensive stand of the season.
“It’s not about the yards,” Smith said. “You have to get the ball into the end zone.”
In the fourth quarter, leading by seven, Smith made a call that is sure to be discussed all week. After failing on third-and-one, he was faced with a fourth-and-one. Should he punt and give his team as little time and as much distance to go.
Smith instead chose to go for it, dropping Winston back and letting him try to run for the yard. He fell short, however.
The Bucs obviously missed Vincent Jackson, who was out with a knee injury. Brandon Myers, Humphries and Charles Simms had three catches each and Cameron Brate had two.
Last year in Atlanta, the Bucs suffered a 56-14 loss to the Falcons.
For Atlanta, Julio Jones had 12 catches for 162 yards and Jacob Tamme caught 10 for 103.
Tampa Bay is home next week against the New York Giants.
