Michael Turner kept battering the Bucs. John Abraham ran right
through them.
With those two dominating Tampa Bay, the Atlanta Falcons managed to overcome
their mistakes.
Turner ran for 152 yards, Abraham had three sacks, and the Falcons finished off
a sloppy performance with Jason Elam’s 34-yard field goal in overtime Sunday,
pulling out a crucial 13-10 victory over the Buccaneers to tighten up the NFC
playoff race.
“To win a game like this, when you’re not hitting on all cylinders, is huge,”
said Mike Smith, Atlanta’s rookie coach.
Two guys deserved the bulk of the credit. Turner carried a career-high 32 times,
including a couple of big runs on the winning drive. Abraham kept coming at
Tampa Bay from all directions, including a possession-ending sack in overtime
that caused Bucs tackle Jeremy Trueblood to throw up his hands in frustration...
Video Recap: DeAngelo
Williams and Jonathan Stewart proved a dominating tandem, and the Panthers
seized control of the NFC South with a 38-23 win over the Buccaneers. Jason
Horowitz recaps the action from Monday night
Michael Turner rushed to the right for 1 yard gain
(Jason Elam made PAT)
0 - 10
2nd Quarter
0:11
TB
TD
Brian Griese passed to Antonio Bryant to the left for 20
yard gain (Matt Bryant made PAT)
7 - 10
3rd Quarter
NONE
7 - 10
4th Quarter
0:44
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 38-yard field goal
10 - 10
OT
4:04
ATL
FG
Jason Elam kicked a 34-yard field goal
10 - 13
Team Statistics
TB
ATL
First Downs
19
17
Passing
14
9
Rushing
5
8
Penalty
0
0
Third Down Efficiency
3-14
5-14
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
325
373
Total Plays
67
67
Average Gain Per Play
4.9
5.6
NET YARDS RUSHING
99
175
Rushes
26
43
Average Per Rush
3.8
4.1
NET YARDS PASSING
226
198
Completions-Attempts
26-37
15-23
Yards Per Pass Play
5.5
8.3
Times Sacked
4
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
43
8
Had Intercepted
1
2
PUNTS
9
5
Average Punt
45.9
45.0
PENALTIES
11
3
Penalty Yards
76
20
FUMBLES
0
3
Fumbles Lost
0
1
TIME OF POSSESSION
34:46
40:14
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
With division losses last
week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and Atlanta Falcons both took a
step backward in their
respective chases for the
postseason. In the wide-open NFC
South, however, there's enough
time left for both teams. The
Buccaneers look to do their part
to clinch a playoff spot by
ending the NFC South's dominance
at home Sunday when they visit
the Falcons, who remain hopeful
they'll be able to cap their
surprising season with their
first postseason appearance in
four years...Preview
Prediction:
There is so little separation among the
top three teams in the NFC South, so when in doubt you just have to go with the
home team. In that case it is Atlanta but really with the game the way it is we
just would not bet on either team. Falcons 21 - Bucs 20
Video Preview: Tampa Bay and
Atlanta are trying to catch up to Carolina for first place in the NFC South.
Charley Casserly and Jason Horowitz discuss which team has the better chance of
pulling ahead this weekend
16.1
6.6