In a battle between two teams in the NFC South basement, the Atlanta Falcons got back on track with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Turning Point:
After the Falcons retook the lead at 24-17, Atlanta's held strong on the next drive and forced a three-and-out. Matt Bryant's field goal on the next Falcons possession effectively put this game out of reach.
Falcons MVP:
We can't pick just one, so we're giving it to both Roddy White and Julio Jones. It's obvious what a difference it makes when both of Atlanta's star WRs are at full strength, and today, they combined for 191 of Atlanta's 212 passing yards. White's 4th-quarter TD proved to be decisive.
Stat of the Day:
Four players had more than four carries for the Bucs...but none broke the 40-yard mark on the day. With no rhythm or consistency in the backfield, it was almost impossible for Tampa to build momentum on offense.
On The Hot Seat:
The 3-6 Falcons needed this win to save Mike Smith's coaching job, and they granted him a temporary stay of execution today. Lovie Smith, though, is in real trouble. He'll need to turn this ship around in a hurry if he wants to feel confident about being back next fall.
What's Next?
The Falcons turn their attention to a tough road game at Carolina that could have massive implications in the race for the NFC South. Tampa will head to Washington next Sunday for a very winnable game against the Redskins.
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