Pro Sports

Falcons see upset bid of Bucs dashed in 4th of 48-25 loss

Posted September 19, 2021 7:00 am

By MARK DIDTLER

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) dives over on a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneer Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio) The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons found themselves down by three in the fourth quarter with a real chance for a potential upset of the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Those hopes were dashed in a disastrous finish that saw the Bucs score 20 points during the final quarter en route to a 48-25 win over Atlanta on Sunday.

"Everybody feels sick when you see that box score, but there were some positives,'ť Falcons first-year coach Arthur Smith said.

Coming off a 32-6 drubbing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener a week ago, Atlanta (0-2) rallied from an 18-point deficit.

Matt Ryan threw TD passes to Calvin Ridley and Cordarrelle Patterson before running for a 2-point conversion to make it 28-25 with 1:34 left in the third quarter.

The Falcons got the ball back at their 4 with 13 minutes to go, a chance for a long go-ahead drive. Instead they failed to convert on a third-and-inches at the 13. After a 33-yard punt, it took three plays before Tom Brady hooked up on an 8-yard pass to Chris Godwin and the Bucs' advantage was 10.

'œGot it to a three-point game, and we had some momentum, really did,'ť Ryan said. 'œCredit to them, they changed the tide. They did a good job in the fourth quarter putting us away.'ť

Tampa Bay sealed the deal with a pair of interception returns for touchdowns by Mike Edwards.

'œThis is a message for our guys, our young guys,'ť Ryan said. 'œIt could be frustrating, but it's a wasted opportunity if we don't learn from it and we don't correct it. Experience is great for everyone.'ť

Ryan was 35 for 46 for 300 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Brady threw for 276 yards and five touchdowns, but Atlanta got good pressure at times on the seven-time Super Bowl champion and finished with three sacks.

The Falcons will look to end a seven-game skid at the New York Giants next Sunday.

Three of those losses came against the Bucs (2-0), who've outscored their NFC South rivals 124-62 over the past 10 quarters of those outings.

___

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32) intercepts a pass by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan that was intended for wide receiver Russell Gage (14) and returns it for a score during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (84) scores on a 7-yard touchdown reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) gets away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (32), safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) and defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith questions a call against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The Associated Press

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