The Falcons got their winning record, but it fell short of their season expectations.
Atlanta’s 20-10 victory on Sunday over Tampa Bay gave the team their first back to back winning seasons in franchise history. However that feat didn’t provide them with very much consolation for the fact that they missed the playoffs.
Mike Smith, Atlanta head coach said, we want our football team to be relevant year after year. We talk about that.
Matt Ryan had 223 yards passing along with two touchdowns to lead Atlanta (9-7) to victory and close out the season on a winning streak of three games.
Smith added, when you are relevant you have that winning record. That’s what gives you the opportunity to be in the playoff hunt. This year we didn’t make it. However we did get nine wins this season. We are very proud of that.
The year was a very disappointing one for the Falcons, but not anywhere near as frustrating as the one endured by Tampa Bay under head coach Raheem Morris.
Tampa Bay (3-13) ended their first season playing for the youngest coach in the NFL. It was the worst record for the team since 1991. The Bucs during their previous two weeks on the road were able to upset New Orleans and Seattle. However it’s uncertain whether that was enough to save the 33 year old head coach’s job.
Last January the Glazer family brought in Morris to replace Jon Gruden. They haven’t publicly commented on their coach’s future.
Morris, reiterating that he wasn’t reading anything into silence from the ownership said, you guys really didn’t give me any votes of confidence either. Tomorrow you could get fired too. It’s just no one is asking you the question.
I will coach here until I am told to go. When I was thirteen both my pop and mom got laid off. No one told them they would get fired. It just is reality in the world that we live in.
Starting for Michael Turner, Atlanta’s injured leading rusher, Jason Snelling had 147 yards rushing in 25 carries. A lot of the damage occurred during the fourth quarter when the Falcons intercepted Josh Freeman, Bucs rookie quarterback, twice.
Ryan had a two yard touchdown pass to Justin Peelle as well as one to Roddy White for 12 yards. The touchdown to White mid fourth quarter snapped a 10-10 tie. Ryan went 23 for 35 and threw two interceptions. Sabby Piscatelli’s pick off of Ryan near midfield provided the Buccaneers with an opportunity to take control of the game.
However Christopher Owens, who earlier that quarter had been beat on the game tying touchdown score, on the very next play picked off Freeman’s pass and returned it for a total of 13 yards down to the 44 yard line of the Bucs. Ryan connected with White five plays later for the go ahead touchdown
During the second half Snelling had 131 yards rushing. His run of 22 yards led to the touchdown by White. He also had gains of 22, 21, and 11 yards on the drive that resulted in a field goal by Matt Bryant with a minute left to play.
Snelling said, I felt like definitely I was into a rhythm, into a zone. Coach kept giving me the football, the guys blocked for me and I made the plays.
Despite the fact that he sat out five of the last seven games for Atlanta, Turner still came up only 129 yards short of having what what have been his second season gaining 1,000 yards. He only had 13 carries following the loss to Carolina in Week 10. Down the stretch the absence of any consistent running attack put more of a burden on Ryan.
Ryan said, the win was huge for us and also to finish our season out winning three games in a row. Last season as a rookie Ryan led the Falcons into the playoffs with their 11 wins. It says a lot about or guys in our locker room.
Offensively Tampa Bay sputtered. They had to settle for a field goal of 36 yards by Connor Barth after Eric Weems of Atlanta fumbled the opening kickoff which was recovered by Tanard Jackson on the 28 yard line of the Falcons.
Just a week after gaining 100 yards for the first time in more than three years, Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams didn’t find much room to run in. The Buccaneers were out gained 179 yards to 52 yards and trailed the game at halftime 10-3. Williams only had 26 yards rushing in the first of his 13 carries.
The Buccaneers were able to tie the score on an 11 play, 70 yard drive after they blocked a field goal. They scored a touchdown on an eight yard pass from Freeman over to Antonio Bryant.
On the drive Freeman completed an 11 yard pass to Kellen Winslow as well as a 7 yard pass over to Maurice Stovall. He also got a key block while avoiding a sack when he pushed Tony Michalek, the umpire, into a defender who was pursing him before he threw to Jerramy Stevens to complete a 14 yard pass.
Freeman went 16 for 32 for a totalof174 yards passing. Williams had 40 yards rushing on 19 carries.
The Bucs will now wait for word on Morris.
Jackson, who had an interception in Sunday’s game said, he should be the coach for us. It was his first year. He came in and worked with what there was for him to work with. Next year it will be a lot different.
Ronde Barber, cornerback, agreed with Jackson.
Barber said, the guys are very strong on him. Simple as that. I don’t need to defend him. Also he doesn’t need to defend himself.
