Atlanta Falcons defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-23 – Week 12 Recap
Atlanta Falcons defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-23, in Week 12 game on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
The game between rivals of National Football Conference (NFC) South was really tough as both teams tried harder to win it.
Falcons kicker Matt Bryant kicked a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter and got the lead with 3-0. Buccaneers running back Doug Martin rushed towards the end zone for one yard and took the lead to 7-3.
In the second quarter, Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for five yards towards the end zone and led the team to 10-7. Later, Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth kicked a field goal of 22 yards and equalised the score by 10-10.
Barth got the chance to score a field goal of 42 yards and gained three more points for the Bucs in the third quarter. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw an 80-yard pass to wide receiver Julio Jones, who scored a touchdown and led the team to 17-13.
Ryan said about Buccaneers giving them tough time:
"They are playing with a lot of confidence. It's always been a tough place for us to come play. They play with great effort, and I think they have a good football team."
Ryan was 26 of 32 for 353 yards with one touchdown and an interception. In this season he is playing really well and has completed 268 of 397 passes for 3,072 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
In the beginning of fourth quarter, Martin rushed for one yard towards the end zone and after a few minutes Barth kicked a 48-yard field goal, taking the score to 23-17.
At 7:55, Falcons running back Michael Turner ran for three yards to get a touchdown and took the lead that eventually became decisive.
Buccaneers’ quarterback Josh Freeman did not score any touchdown; he completed 19 of 30 passes for 256 yards.
Falcons coach Mike Smith was satisfied with his teams’ performance, he said:
"We knew it was going to be one of our `musts,' and I thought we did a nice job. I thought we played the run extremely well, controlled the line of scrimmage. That is an outstanding running back."
Falcons have won 10 and lost one game in this season and they are leading NFC South, while Buccaneers with 6-5 are ranked 2nd in the division.
Falcons will play their next game against New Orleans Saints, who are the only team to defeat Falcons in this season.
Buccaneers next game is against Denver Broncos, who are leading American Football Conference (AFC) West with 8-3.
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