Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats – Oct 27, 2024 Analysis

The Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats from October 27th reveal how Atlanta secured that crucial 31-26 victory down in Tampa.

Game Overview

Atlanta beat Tampa Bay 31-26 at Raymond James Stadium in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score suggests. The Falcons controlled most of this contest through smart quarterback play, explosive offensive strikes, and opportunistic defense.

Kirk Cousins threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, posting a 145.9 passer rating. Baker Mayfield threw for more yards (330) but committed two costly red zone interceptions that changed the outcome.

The turnover battle made all the difference. Atlanta forced three takeaways while committing none, creating the possession advantage that wins division games.

Quarterback Battle: Cousins vs Mayfield

Kirk Cousins had his best game in a Falcons uniform this season. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four scores, with his longest completion going for 49 yards to Kyle Pitts. That touchdown pass came at a crucial moment, right after Tampa Bay had tied the game 14-14.

Cousins showed some mobility when needed, scrambling for 16 yards on three carries. His biggest run was a 13-yard pickup on second-and-14 in the fourth quarter that essentially sealed the victory. With Tampa Bay out of timeouts, that scramble ate valuable clock and kept the chains moving, as documented in the official Atlanta Falcons game recap.

The veteran quarterback’s 145.9 passer rating was his season-best performance. He found Kyle Pitts for scores of 49 and 36 yards, hit Darnell Mooney for a 30-yard touchdown, and finished with a 6-yard scoring toss to Bijan Robinson.

Baker Mayfield actually moved the ball better in terms of raw numbers. He completed 37 of 50 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns, distributing the ball to nine different receivers. Playing without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Mayfield had to get creative with his targets.

But those two interceptions cost Tampa Bay dearly. The first pick came at Atlanta’s 6-yard line early in the fourth quarter when the Bucs were driving for what could have been the go-ahead score. The second happened on a flea-flicker attempt at Atlanta’s 8-yard line, with Jessie Bates reading the play perfectly.

Giving away two red zone possessions in a five-point game proved too much to overcome. Tampa Bay’s postgame analysis acknowledged this reality, as noted in their official team recap, highlighting how the turnovers prevented them from capitalizing on their yardage advantage.

Kyle Pitts Finally Delivers

This was the performance Atlanta fans have been waiting three years to see from Kyle Pitts. The athletic tight end caught four passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, both coming at momentum-shifting moments.

His 49-yard touchdown was pure athleticism on display. Pitts used his size and speed to beat Tampa Bay’s coverage down the seam, making the catch look routine while leaving defenders trailing. That score came right after Tampa Bay had tied it up, immediately swinging momentum back to Atlanta.

The 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter helped Atlanta build their 24-17 halftime lead. Both scores came when the Falcons needed big plays most, not during meaningless moments.

Pitts averaged 22.8 yards per reception, which was the explosive production Atlanta drafted him to provide back in 2021. This was clutch football from a player who’s been inconsistent throughout his young career.

Cade Otton’s Breakout Performance

Without their top two receivers, Tampa Bay needed someone to emerge in the passing game. Cade Otton answered that call with nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets.

That 90% catch rate demonstrated just how reliable Otton was throughout the afternoon. He found soft spots in Atlanta’s coverage and made tough catches in traffic when needed. His two red zone touchdowns (5 and 4 yards) showed he could produce when Tampa Bay got close to the goal line.

Otton’s longest gain was 29 yards, proving he can stretch the field beyond just short-yardage situations. His performance should earn him more targets going forward, especially if Evans and Godwin miss additional time.

Bijan Robinson’s All-Around Impact

Bijan Robinson had a productive day for Atlanta, totaling 106 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches. He rushed 13 times for 63 yards (4.8 average) while catching all seven of his targets for 43 yards and a touchdown.

That perfect receiving day (7-for-7) really stood out. Robinson became a reliable safety valve for Cousins, never dropping a pass thrown his way. His 6-yard touchdown reception capped a methodical drive that pushed Atlanta’s lead to 31-17.

Robinson’s versatility was on full display, contributing both as a runner and receiver while helping Atlanta control the game’s tempo.

Defensive Playmakers Change the Game

Jessie Bates III had a dominant performance for Atlanta’s defense. The safety intercepted one pass, forced one fumble, and recovered that same fumble while making several other tackles and pass breakups.

That forced fumble on Tampa Bay’s second play from scrimmage set the tone immediately. Bates stripped Rachaad White clean and recovered the ball himself, giving Atlanta great field position for their opening touchdown.

His interception of the flea-flicker attempt showed excellent recognition and ball skills, according to the comprehensive statistics tracked by Pro Football Reference. While most defenders might have been fooled by the trick play, Bates read it perfectly and made the pick at Atlanta’s 8-yard line.

A.J. Terrell also came up huge with his red zone interception of Mayfield at Atlanta’s 6-yard line. That pick prevented what appeared to be a sure Tampa Bay touchdown, keeping Atlanta’s lead intact at a crucial moment.

Between Bates and Terrell, Atlanta’s secondary created two turnovers in prime scoring territory. That kind of opportunistic defense often decides division games.

Special Teams Swing Momentum

Tampa Bay tried to get creative with a fake punt in the third quarter, but the gamble backfired spectacularly. Tavierre Thomas took the snap and tried to run for the first down, but KhaDarel Hodge diagnosed the play perfectly and tackled him for a 2-yard loss.

Instead of pinning Atlanta deep in their own territory, Tampa Bay gave the Falcons the ball at the 38-yard line. Atlanta promptly marched down and scored a touchdown that made it 31-17, essentially putting the game away, as detailed in CBS Sports’ comprehensive game tracker.

When trick plays work, they can change momentum. When they fail, they usually fail dramatically. This was definitely the latter for Tampa Bay.

Younghoe Koo had a mixed day kicking for Atlanta, making one field goal (39 yards) but missing another (46 yards) with just over a minute left. That missed kick gave Tampa Bay one final chance, though they had no timeouts remaining.

Chase McLaughlin was perfect for Tampa Bay, connecting on a 52-yard field goal and all three extra points. His consistency kept the Bucs within striking distance throughout.

Statistical Breakdown

Tampa Bay actually outgained Atlanta 432-394 in total yards and controlled the ball for over 32 minutes compared to Atlanta’s 27:26. The Bucs also converted 64% of their third downs (9 of 14) compared to Atlanta’s 50% (6 of 12).

But raw yardage doesn’t win games. Atlanta was perfect on fourth down (2 of 2) while Tampa Bay failed on their fake punt attempt. More importantly, Atlanta created three turnovers while committing none.

That +3 turnover margin in a five-point game was the deciding factor. They took care of the ball while forcing Tampa Bay into costly mistakes at the worst possible times.

Atlanta also generated three touchdown passes of 30 or more yards while Tampa Bay had none. That explosive play ability made the difference between sustained drives and quick strikes.

Division Race Implications

This victory improved Atlanta to 5-3 while dropping Tampa Bay to 4-4, creating meaningful separation in the NFC South race. More importantly for Atlanta, they swept the season series against Tampa Bay, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker if both teams finish with identical records.

Kirk Cousins proved he can still play at a high level when the game matters most. Kyle Pitts finally delivered the explosive performance Atlanta has been waiting for. The defense created game-changing turnovers at crucial moments.

For Tampa Bay, the loss stings because they moved the ball well but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Playing without Evans and Godwin clearly hurt, but Mayfield’s two red zone interceptions were the real backbreakers.

Key Takeaways

This Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats analysis demonstrates how situational football beats raw statistics. Tampa Bay generated more offense and controlled possession, but Atlanta’s ball security and explosive plays proved more valuable.

The Falcons showed they can win meaningful games when execution matters most. Their approach of protecting the ball while capitalizing on opponent mistakes should serve them well as the season progresses.

Tampa Bay proved they can move the ball effectively even without their top weapons, but those costly turnovers in scoring territory will haunt them. In a competitive division race, you can’t afford to give away games like this one.

For additional context on Atlanta’s season performance, our analysis of the Dallas Cowboys vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats shows similar patterns of efficiency over volume in key matchups. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s ball security struggles have been a recurring theme, as we detailed in our Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats breakdown.

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