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Now,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, with a surprising 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a better-than-expected season has taken an ugly turn.
NOTES: Jones had 99 yards receiving in the opening quarter. ... The Bucs didn't have any turnovers and were penalized eight times for 43 yards. ... Freeman rushed for 88 yards after gaining more than 100 yards in three straight games. ... The Falcons lost CBs Desmond Trufant (lower back) and Robert Alford (groin) to injuries.
The Falcons' comeback benefited from a highly questionable decision by Bucs coach Lovie Smith to go for it on fourth-and-1 at the Tampa Bay 40 with 2 minutes remaining.
Ryan completed 37 of 45 for 397 yards and two touchdowns. He also was responsible for two of the turnovers, losing a fumble and throwing an ill-advised pass into triple coverage late in the first half.
Instead, Jameis Winston led an impressive drive on the first possession of OT, converting three times on third down before Barth made his third field goal of the game.
"We can't dig ourselves that hole and expect to consistently get out of it,Authentic NFL Jerseys Wholesale," Ryan said.
"We've got to clean up all those things," said Julio Jones, who had 12 catches for 162 yards but also lost a fumble. "We've got to do a better job of holding onto the ball."
All those miscues finally caught up with them against the Buccaneers (3-4),Wholesale NFL Jerseys.
Not even close.
"Last week was tough for us," said Winston, who passed for one touchdown and ran for another. "It still was in the back of our minds, even though we put it behind us."
The Falcons committed four turnovers and fell behind 20-3 before rallying to force overtime Sunday. It didn't matter. Connor Barth kicked a 31-yard field goal, and Atlanta's last gasp didn't even reach midfield.
In addition to three fumbles and an interception, the Falcons were penalized 11 times for a staggering 124 yards. That helped offset a commanding 496-290 edge in total yards.
"We want to be the best fundamental team in football," rookie coach Dan Quinn said.
The Falcons started the second half with another impressive-looking drive. But,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, on the Tampa Bay 20, Ryan lost the ball trying to fake a handoff. Henry Melton recovered, and Tampa Bay drove 76 yards in just seven plays, capped by Winston's 4-yard touchdown run.
"We had an opportunity to finish the game right then," Smith said. "I'd make that call 10 out of 10 times."
Winston looked to pass, then attempted to run, only to get stopped about 6 inches short on a big hit by Ricardo Allen. The Falcons — with no timeouts but a much shorter field to work with than they would've had after a punt — drove for the tying touchdown.
"It's really frustrating," said tight end Jacob Tamme, who had 10 catches for 103 yards and a TD. "We were moving the ball all over the place, up and down the field."
Indeed, the Falcons (6-2) have committed 12 turnovers in the last four games. They were fortunate to win two of those — one against Washington with an interception return for a touchdown in overtime, the other an ugly 10-7 victory at Tennessee.
After the field goal, Atlanta's offense got the ball in overtime. On fourth down for his own 42, Ryan was heavily pressured by Gerald McCoy and Howard Jones, forcing a desperation pass that wasn't close to anyone.
Matt Ryan tied the game with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jones with 17 seconds left in regulation. Having blown a 24-point lead the previous week at Washington, the Bucs (3-4) faced another stunning defeat.
Atlanta then squandered a prime scoring opportunity with a botched snap by Mike Person on second-and-goal at the Bucs 4. Jacquies Smith pounced on it for the Bucs, who then went 73 yards for another field goal.
Tampa Bay finally got to celebrate,Cheap Jerseys, though one player did so with a heavy heart. Rookie linebacker Kwon Alexander,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, who had an interception and a fumble recovery, played two days after his younger brother was killed in a fight.
On another drive into Tampa Bay territory, Alexander came through again. He picked off Ryan's ill-advised pass into triple coverage and returned it 15 yards to midfield. Winston did the rest, connecting with Cameron Brate on a 20-yard TD with 30 seconds remaining.
Each time Atlanta turned it over, Tampa Bay followed with a score.
The flurry of mistakes began with Jones getting the ball stripped by Alexander after catching a pass over the middle, setting up Barth's first field goal.
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are their own worst enemy. |
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