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NFL Thursday Night Football Fans Respond To Atlanta Falcons Sinking Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NFL Thursday Night Football Fans Respond To Atlanta Falcons Sinking Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Improbable. How else can an NFL fan describe the Atlanta Falcons’ 29-28 walk-off victory over the sinking Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday night?

Consider the Falcons, who were eliminated from the playoffs last Sunday, trailing by 14 points with 13:28 remaining in the fourth quarter.

On the winning drive, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins overcame third-and-23 and fourth-and-14 plays.

Twice, the Falcons recovered fumbles that appeared to be out of reach. When was the last time you experienced a tie fumble recovery?

The Falcons missed two 2-point conversions.

They also committed a team record 19 penalties.

Still, somehow, the Falcons completed the unlikely NFC South victory on Zane Gonzalez’s 43-yard field goal as time expired.

Taking advantage of the Bucs’ zone coverage, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., after scoring once all season, broke out with three touchdown receptions.

X (Twitter) Users Respond

They replied to the Buccaneers, wearing their traditional creamsicle jerseys, lost for the sixth time in eight games. At 7-7, they fell a half-game behind the division-leading Carolina Panthers …

https://twitter.com/DKSportsbook/status/1999339012704608710?s=20

A special play on special teams set an early tone …

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1999288603164443034?s=20

The Bucs’ Sean Tucker capped an 11-play, 83-yard drive, giving the Bucs a 7-0 lead with 1:38 left in the first quarter. The Falcons were called for a third-down penalty, negating a sack. The trend would continue …

https://twitter.com/OOSSports/status/1999297551300985185?s=20

With Drake London sidelined, Pitts emerged as a top target, scoring his second TD of the season at 4:27 of the second quarter. That trend also would continue …

https://twitter.com/YahooSports/status/1999299404931694990?s=20

Pitts, who caught his first six targets, hauled in his second first-half touchdown to give the Falcons a 14-10 lead. His six catches for 110 yards were season highs …

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1999308429228495145?s=20

Despite forging a 14-13 halftime advantage, the Falcons committed 10 penalties. Midway through the fourth quarter, they were issued their 16th yellow flag, matching a team record and setting an NFL season high. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield hit Devin Culp on a 6-yard TD pass, lifting the Bucs to a 20-14 advantage …

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1999318289810620897?s=20

Mayfield’s 3-yard scoring toss to Chris Godwin Jr. and 2-point conversion gave the home squad a 28-14 lead at 13:34 of the fourth quarter. It wouldn’t be enough …

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1999327281374986628?s=20

The Falcons scored on three consecutive closing possessions, beginning with running back Bijan Robinson’s 6-yard TD scamper …

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1999328413002436957?s=20

Pitts scored his third TD with 3:34 remaining. Imagine having Pitts on your fantasy league bench? …

Gonzalez hit the game-winner …

The Bucs continue their improbable plunge, now below the Panthers (7-6), who control the division. The teams play at Bank of America on Dec. 21 and at Tampa Bay for Week 18 …

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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