Qadree Ollison – FalconAlley Football

Atlanta Falcons Lose a Rainy One in New York

August 22, 2022

Article by Allison Smith

Atlanta Falcons 16 at New York Jets 24

New York won the toss and decided to kick to Atlanta. Avery Williams takes the kick to the 23. Damian Williams is the only set back, Marcus Mariota from the shot gun, hands to Williams who gains 4 yards around the left side. Cordarrelle Patterson is lined up in the slot as Mariota drops back and hits Kyle Pitts for a 52-yard gain. From the Jets’ 21, Mariota drops back, rolls to the right and hits Brian Edwards at the 9. On first and goal, a quick handoff to Williams for a couple of yards up the middle. On second down, Tyler Allgeier has checked in and takes the fake, Mariota under pressure skips the pass to Parker Hesse for an incompletion. On third down, under center, Mariota throws to Allgeier for a few yards. Younghoe Koo comes on for the 23-yard field goal.

Q1 11:22, Atlanta 3/New York 0

Bradley Pinion kicks 68 yards into the end zone, Tevin Coleman comes out to the 19. Mike White rolls to the right and passes for a 4-yard gain. On 2^nd and 6, Brian Hall carries for one yard, quickly stopped by Casey Hayward. A defensive holding penalty moves the ball to the 29 and a first down. Hall tries to go up the middle, but is met behind the line by Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Anthony Rush (who just had the penalty). On 2^nd and 13, under great pressure by Lorenzo Carter, White gets the ball away to Tyrek Black for an 8-yard gain. On 3^rd down, swarming pressure in the backfield, White tucks the ball and runs for a yard, stopped by Ta’Quon Graham, forcing the punt.

Williams returns the punt to the 25-yard line. Allgeier gets the ball for a 4-yard gain along the right side. On 2^nd down, from the shotgun, Mariota finds KhaDarel Hodge for a first down, but takes the ball 34 yards…..which was called back because his knee touched down at the 42. Defense has an encroachment penalty, first and 5 at the 47. Mariota, behind great blocking, finds a wide-open Anthony Firkser for a 40-yard gain. From the 19, Allgeier gets the call along the right side for a singe yard. On 2^nd down, Mariota starts to run, then drops back and throws towards the end zone, in complete. On third down, with 2 high safeties, Mariotta sees Olamide Zaccheaus for a 13-yard touchdown reception. Tight coverage, Zaccheaus out reaches the defender for the ball. Koo makes the extra point.

Olamide Zaccheau’s Touchdown Reception Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Q1 5:16 Atlanta 10/New York 0

Coleman brings the ball from the 3 to the 20. White hits the fingertips of Jeff Smith for an incompletion. A quick pass to Garrett Wilson along the sideline, immediately stopped by Corey Ballentine, who refused to allow Wilson to gain another inch. Third and 3, offense is moved back for offsides, White throws the ball into the grown near the receiver. White was under pressure from Ogundeji, who was called for roughing the passer (tackling his legs) while Arnold Ebikitie was being held and horse collared. Free first and 10, running back is quickly met by Ogundeji for a 1-yard gain. Hall goes left for another yard. On 3^rd and 7, White drops back and hits Wilson who is tripped up by Dee Alford, stopped 3 yards short of the first down, forcing another punt. Williams takes the kick at the 10.

Qadree Ollison gets the first rush of this possession. A low throw to Ollison follows, then a pass behind Zaccheus that falls incomplete. A quick three and out brings Pinion on to kick from the end zone to 50.

White quick throws to his tight end, Mike Ford makes the stop. On 2^nd and 3, White hands off to Coleman who finds room on the left side for 8 yards and first down.

End of Q1

From the Falcons’ 35, White throws an incompletion out of bounds. Coleman tries to run right, but his forced wide by Daren Hall until out of bounds. A hold backs the Jets up 10 yards, on 2^nd and 20 from the Falcons’ 46, White drops back, sets up the screen and hits Ty Johnson for a short gain. On 3^rd and 18, a short pass to Jeff Smith is forced out by Ballentine. Another penalty, backs the Jets up, a 3^rd and 27 White hits the receiver for 8 yards and is stopped by Dean Marlowe. Another punt, goes into the end zone and the Falcons will begin on their 20.

Desmond Ridder fakes to Allgeier, then passes to MyCole Pruitt for 18 yards. Next is a handoff to Allgeier for no gain. On 2^nd and 10, Ridder fakes the handoff and finds a tightly covered Firkser for a 17-yard gain. Allgeier with the ball again for 3 yards behind the right side. On 2^nd and 7, under center, Ridder hands off to Ollison, who goes up the middle for 4 yards, another Jets’ penalty gives the Falcons another first down. From the 33, Ollison gains another yard. Ridder drops back, then stands casually and throws up 12 yards to Jared Bernhardt for the first down. From the Jets’ 20, Ridder fakes to the left, finds Cameron Batson who gets to the line of scrimmage and is demolished there. On 2^nd down, a fake hand off and Ridder hits Damiere Byrd in the chest for 12 yards. Another penalty moves the Falcons to the 8, Allgeier shoves his way to the 1. Allgeier moves forward slightly, Rick Leonard gets a holding penalty, so back at the 10, Ridder throws up to Allgeier at the 5. On 3^rd down, Ridder from the shotgun, finds Allgeier at the one and is forced out of bounds. Offense stays on the field, 4^th and goal from the 1, Jalen Mayfield has a false start, calling the offense off the field and Koo on for the field goal.

Q2 4:20 Atlanta 13/New York 0

From the 15, White fakes the hand off and throws a completion just short of the first down marker, stopped by Erik Harris. From the 24, White is nearly intercepted by Ballentine who jumped high just in front of the receiver. Harris makes the 3^rd down stop, forcing another punt. Batson takes the punt, trying to make some moves, loses 5 yards.

Ridder begins at the 32 from the shotgun, throws the ball out of bounds. Ridder is called for intentional grounding, clearly a miscommunication. On 2^nd and 20, Ridder fakes the handoff and finds Bernhardt for 34 yards, clearly the play intended for the first down play.

Two Minute Warning

From the Jets’ 44, play fake, Ridder fires the ball down the field, but the ball was tipped en route to Frank Darby. On 2^nd down, Ridder drops back and hits a wide-open Pruitt for a gain of 24, but another flag. Illegal shift, two receivers in motion. Back to the 49, Ridder drops back and finds an open Bernhardt for 22 yards, penalty….on the defense. The ball is on the 14, Ridder pitches it back to Kaleb Huntley who gains 4 yards. Ridder rushes to the left, gains the first down at the 3. Mayfield called for another hold and the Falcons are back at the 22 with a 2^nd and 18. Ridder escapes pressure, hits Byrd for a short gain, another penalty for holding, Rick Leonard this time. Now at the 32, Ridder throws to Byrd, who had cleared out the middle and had no defenders close, for 20 yards. Play action is gutting the defenders. On 3^rd and 8, Ridder misses Darby and another flag is thrown. Offensive pass interference on Williams (ran into a defender) is declined, it is fourth down and Koo hits another field goal.

Q2: :32 seconds Atlanta 16/New York 0

The kick off is returned to the 35. With 23 seconds remaining, White drops back and finds the receiver at the 42, Alford with the quick stop. On 2^nd down, White finds a wide-open Denzel Mims for a 26-yard gain. From the Falcons’ 31, the receiver can’t haul in the reception. Another pass to Mims who is instantly stopped by Marlowe. With 5 seconds remaining, the Jets kick a 44-yard field goal.

Half Time: Atlanta 16/New York 3

White and the Jets begin on the 25 with a hand off for a loss of a yard, stopped by Jalen Dalton. From the shotgun, White finds Irv Charles for a 2-yard gain. Another errant pass by White is followed by a flag for PI on Alford, but picked back up. Batson returns the punt to the 20.

Huntley carries the ball 6 yards then 3 more yards, on 3^rd down, he cannot gain the final yard for a first down. The Falcons punt to the 35, returner to the 40 with a flag for illegal block in the back by two players.

First and 10 from the 26, a run up the left side for 5 yards. Johnson takes the ball for 14 yards until he is pushed out of bounds by Marlowe. Followed by an offensive holding penalty, backing the Jets up to their own 25. Second and 11, Chris Streveler passes up to Laurence Cager who gains 23 yards and is stopped by Marlowe. Near midfield, the running back is stopped Thurman for no gain. Streveler drops back and finds a wide open Black in the middle of the field for another first down. From the 25, Streveler short pass for 4 yards, then a handoff to Knight for a 4-yard loss, forced out by Ballentine. Third down, Streveler hits wide open Cager for a touchdown. Falcons had a communication issue, 2 men covering one receiver, man to man across the field, and the free safety in the middle of the field.

Q3: 7:26 Atlanta 16/New York 10

From the 25, Feleipe Franks is under center and fakes to Ollison, throws right to Pruitt for 11 yards. Franks hands off to Ollison who goes 5 yards behind the left side, then is sacked for an 8-yard loss. Pressure came quick, Pruitt didn’t touch the defender. Ollison gets the short reception and is rocked by the defender for a 3-yard loss. Pinion punts to the 25.

The running back gains a single yard along the left side. After a penalty, Streveler drops back for 1^st and 20 and runs the ball up the middle 7 yards. On 2^nd down, Streveler passes close to the first down marker, but is stopped and slung out of bounds by Teez Tabor. On 3^rd and 2, Streveler hits his receiver for a first down. Streveler throws an incompletion way down the field. Second and 10 from the 44, a handoff gains a first down across midfield. Streveler on the run, drops back and finds his receiver who is stopped by 36 and 44, for a 6-yard gain. On 2^nd down, a fake, then Streveler completes a pass across the middle, followed by an offensive pass interference call, receiver pushed off of Jaylinn Hawkins to make the catch. From midfield, Streveler runs for 14 yards, near the marker.

End of Q3 – Atlanta 16/New York 10

From the 35, Streveler drops back, throws near the end zone into double coverage, Lafayette Pitts and Henry Black on the coverage and Pitts called for the PI, giving the Jets the ball at the 7. The running back immediately gets the ball, turns the corner and speeds into the end zone, just out of reach of DeAngelo Malone.

Q4: 14:49 Atlanta 16/New York 17

Bernhardt returns the kick off 27 yards to the Falcons’ 24. Franks fakes the handoff, runs himself for 4 yards. Allgeier runs up the middle for 2 yards, then Franks scrambles for 8 yards along the right side, lowers the shoulder and takes the hit to go out of bounds. Shaffer with the false start, from the 32, Allgeier runs out of bounds for 5 yards, but offensive holding backs the Falcons up to a 1^st and 25 from the 22. From the shotgun, Franks hands off to Allgeier, who goes up the middle, but a flag for illegal shift. Now, 1^st and 30 from the 17, Franks runs up the middle, gets hit and fumbles the ball. His knee was marked down and continues the offensive drive. On 2^nd and 18 from the 30, Franks fakes the handoff and runs, puts his head down and runs into two defenders, gaining 10 yards. With a 3^rd and 8, Atlanta calls time out.

Franks scrambles, has the football knocked out while scrambling and the defender takes the ball in for the touchdown. With the rain, Franks is hit and slips and put the ball hand down and the ball squirts out towards the defender.

Q4: 10:22 Atlanta 16/New York 23

Bernhardt brings the ball out to the 27. Huntley is tripped up before he can get to the line of scrimmage. Franks is nearly sacked, but gets the ball to Huntley for a gain of 5 yards. Huntley another few yards, short of the first down. Pinion punts 48 yards to the 18. Darby makes the hard stop after a 3-yard return.

Teez Tabor and Dee Alford Celebrate an Interception, Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Streveler hands the ball off, Landon makes the quick stop. An incomplete pass is followed by an interception by Tabor. Alford in tight coverage on one side of the receiver, Tabor lunges and takes the ball out of his hands for the interception, giving the Falcons the ball back on their own 47. Personal foul on the Jets, moves the ball to the Jets’ 32.

Franks is in the shotgun and hands off to Huntley 4 times in a row. At 3^rd and 6, Franks runs along the sideline, knocking the helmet off one of the defenders as he heads out of bounds. First and goal from the 6, Franks throws out the back of the end zone, followed by 3 additional incompletions outside the end zone.

The Jets take over at the 5, make it out to the 31 then kneel on the ball to end the game.

#DirtyBirds

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Falcons Take a Big Step Back

November 26, 2019

Article by Allison Smith

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Wow. Talk about two steps forward and one step back. Fans completely discounted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then the team gets slaughtered, in their own house, first time back home in quite a while. And coming up in 4 days, the New Orleans Saints. Wanting revenge.

No one can seem to explain how the team could go so far backwards after 2 excellent games against good teams. The defense is back to cover 3, for no good reason. The Falcons didn’t have enough depth covering the Tampa Two plays. Most of what Tampa got were big plays. Obviously the 71-yard touchdown, but a 22-yard reception, on 2^nd and 21, a 30-yard reception, on 3^rd and 9, twice, converted on 24 and 25-yard runs. The Bucs were excellent on 3^rd down conversions, while the Falcons were 25%, inside and outside the red zone. There were too many missed tackles. There were no sacks and only one hit on Jameis Winston, when they had nearly lead the NFL is sacks allowed…and interceptions.

Deion Jones lead the team in tackles with 9 and had the only hit on Winston. Ricardo Allen was on a mission with 9 tackles, tied with Damontae Kazee. De’Vondre Campbell had 8 tackles, one for loss and one of the interceptions and a pass defended. Foye Oluokun, getting more playing time, had 5 tackles, and rookie Kendall Sheffield with 4 and a near pass defended on a touchdown, but just out of reach. Qadree Ollison had 2 tackles – on punt returns. He is really making a contribution in limited playing time.

Winston was able to step up in the pocket and make plays, throwing for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns, with his 2 interceptions. The Bucs ran for an additional 133 yards. The Falcons tried to balance their man to man vs. zone, but whatever “disguising” was supposed to be happening was not working. While the Falcons did have 2 picks on the day, they got no points out of the first one, a touchdown out of the second. After starting out quickly, moving 68 yards in 3 plays, then stalling at the 7-yard line and ended up kicking a field goal to open the game. Instant momentum slasher themselves. Two plays later they get an interception, then end up punting themselves. There was never any momentum.

The Bucs had so few sacks all season and had given up the most in the NFL, until Sunday. They sacked Matt Ryan 6 times and hit him 13 times. The Falcons’ offensive line was horrible. Allowing pressure, sacks, hits, or were holding. Wes Schweitzer was rotated in, according to Dan Quinn, as a designated/planned rotation. In my opinion, they need to revamp the entire line again (short ofAlex Mack – but need to think of a replacement for him before too much longer). And find someone that can evaluate O-Line talent, because the partial revamping done this season has not done any better than the last few years, while still keeping some of the weak points as back-ups. Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary needed help and Luke Stocker was in as a legit blocker, ie, no additional receivers down the field. Which explains how/why Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley were both double covered a couple of times, and Ryan still could not find anyone.

The Falcons could not run the ball, again. Ollison had 8 carries for 20 yards and Brian Hill 9 for 15 yards. Accuracy on passing or receiving was way off – even from our earlier bad games. Overall Ryan was 28 of 52. Ridley caught 6 of his 14 targets (some out of bounds so not drops or complete misses) for 85 yards. Russell Gage 8 of 10 for 76 yards, with Jones limited to 5 of 9 receptions for 68 yards, one of which was 31 yards. Christian Blake caught 2, Ollison 1. Jaeden Graham caught 1 of his 2 targets, which he turned into a 53-yarder.

Again, so many coaching decision questions. Down 15 points in the fourth quarter and go for the field goal instead of the touchdown. Late in the game, inside the 10 yard line – went for 3 passes and no run plays, after you had seen some good running from Ollison. Unlike most of the games in the first half of the season, there did not seem to be adjustments at half time, as the same team that went into the locker room at half is what came out after the half.

Julio moved up on the All Time Receiving Yards list – now 30^th, passing Calvin Johnson.

One highlight continues to be Sheffield, who blocked an extra point that Sharrod Neasmen picked up and returned a long distance before being tackled.

Injury Report:

· Julio Jones tweaked his shoulder.

· Brian Hill – no information, but did play the rest of the game.

· Kemal Ishmael – no information, concussion in Panther game.

· Devonta Freeman – making progress, evaluation continues Tuesday/Wednesday.

· Austin Hooper – making progress, evaluation continues Tuesday/Wednesday.

· Chris Lindstrom – being evaluated, once released from IR will determine play date.

Golden Talon

Qadree Ollison – coming in when called, scoring another touchdown, 2 special teams tackles, trying to make things happen.

De’Vondre Campbell – another interception, nearly leading in tackles again.

#RiseUp

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First Half Falcons Return in Loss to Buccaneers

Article by Allison Smith

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Tampa Bay 35/Atlanta 22

11.24.19

The Falcons return home after a long time away from Mercedes Benz Stadium, ready to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Inactives for the day, due to injury are John Cominsky, Devonta Freeman, Austin Hooper, and Kemal Ishmael. Other inactives, Matt Gono, Brandon Powell, and Deadrin Senat.

The extra captain on the day is Damontae Kazee. Each Falcon wears a number on their helmet representing a fallen soldier, with their families in attendance for Military Appreciation Day. And you know, no one appreciates the military more than Dan Quinn. Note that this year, the Falcons are representing 94 fallen heroes, each player representing several heroes on their helmet. All of these families had a great Sunday receiving jerseys with their name on them as well as spending time with the team and touring the facilities.

The Falcons win the toss and will take the ball on offense again. This has led to back to back wind the last two weeks. The opening kickoff goes way back in the end zone and the Falcons offense will start the game at the 25.

Matt Ryan is already in the shotgun and hands off to Brian Hill for no yards. In the no huddle, Ryan yells commands. Again in the shotgun, Ryan drops back and lobs it to wide open Jaeden Graham for a big 53-yard gain. About half and half pass and YAC. Now on the Bucs’ 23, a sweep to Calvin Ridley along the right side, Ridley goes down to the 7, behind a good Graham block. Ryan throws the next pass way out of the back of the end zone. From the shotgun, Ryan is under pressure, gets itchy feet, but throws the ball out of the back of the end zone again. Now on 3^rd and goal, Ryan hits Ridley, who is double covered, and cannot hold onto the all. With 2 receivers double covered, you would think someone would have been open. Younghoe Koo kicks the 25-yard field goal.

With 12:47 to go in the first quarter, the Falcons with the early lead, 3/0.

Jameis Winston begins at the 25 and a rush for 11 yards by Ronald Jones II who is met and sat down by Kazee. On the second offensive play, Winston has his first pick of the day. Desmond Trufant is running the route in from of Mike Evans like he is the receiver, Winston still makes the pass and Tru picks it off.

Falcons take over at their own 47. A rush by Hill for a 1-yard gain. Next a pass along the right side to Russell Gage who forces his way past the first down marker. Ryan’s next pass is out of bounds. Still in the shotgun, Ryan quickly passes to Gage on the left for 7 yards. With Hill in the medical tent, Qadree Ollison gets the call and gains no yards along the left side. On 4^th and 3, Graham has a false start forcing the punt. The ball rolls out of bounds at the 3.

On the first play of their second possession, the Bucs have a false start and are at the ½-yard line. Winston drops back, then chooses to run, past the first down marker where Isaiah Oliver makes the tackle. From the 11, Winston hands off to Jones for a few yards. Grady Jarrett is over center with Vic Beasley, Jr. beside him, rushing 4, but Winston gets the ball out to Jones who is tackled after the first down by Ricardo Allen. Rushing 4 again, Winston hands off, Jones up the middle and he is med and stopped by De’Vondre Campbell after a 4-yard gain. Adrian Clayborn nearly gets to Winston, but he manages to get the ball away, even with it tipped by Deion Jones, Chris Godwin makes the reception, escapes Kazee, and goes 71-yard for the touchdown. With 6:45 to go in the quarter, the Bucs lead 7/3.

Another touchback and the Falcons begin on their 25 again. Ryan throws over the middle to Julio Jones, but the ball is deflected. Hill is back in the game and takes the fake as Ryan throws near the marker to Ridley. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan throws big for Julio on the right side, even with his jersey being held, catches the 31-yard pass. Hill gets the call and gains 3 yards. Another fake to Hill, Ryan avoids the sack and throws a low ball toward Julio as a Bucs defender lays him out. 3^rd and 7, Ryan drops back then decides to run it himself, short of the first down marker. There is an offensive hold on the play by Jake Matthews (that opened the hole for Ryan). 3^rd and 17, Ryan hits Ridley, but he can’t get high enough to hold on, with the help of the defender’s shove. Ryan Allen punts out of bounds at the 10.

Winston hands off to Peyton Barber who gains 3 yards. Winston drops back and throws out of bounds over the receiver out of bounds. On 3^rd and 7, Winston makes another errant pass under pressure, tipped by the receiver and Campbell comes up with the interception.

Falcons offense takes over at the 19. Ollison gets the first carry for 6 yards. On 2^nd and 4, Ryan under big pressure, finally gets the ball toward Ridley, who cannot hold the ball with a defender clubbing him. With a 3^rd and 4, Ryan scrambles for the first down. At the 5, Ryan is under center, Ollison goes to the 1. Still in, Ollison pushes behind the line, but still cannot get across the line. Ollison jumps over the offensive and defensive lines for the touchdown!!!!! His second in 2 games. Koo for the extra point and the Falcons lead 10/7 as the first quarter is nearly ended.

The Bucs begin again at their 25. Winston, from the shotgun, passes out to Evans who runs before the catch and therefore an incompletion. On 2^nd and 10, Winston passes to Jones who is stopped after a 6-yard gain. Time expires on the first quarter.

A quick stop by Debo and it’s 4^th and 2, and the Buccaneers have to punt. Kenyon Barner catches at the 13 and is immediately stopped there.

Ryan finds Julio just past the first down marker after a stop and start route. From the 26, Ruan is under center, fakes to Hill and is immediately sacked. 2^nd and 19, Ryan is in the shotgun and scrambling, Matthews can’t hold his block and another sack. 3^rd and 27 from the 9, hand off to Hill for no gain. Allen from the middle of the end zone, gets the ball to the 39, and special teams allows a return.

The Bucs begin at their 49. Winston drops back, finds Godwin on the far right side who is knocked out by Kendall Sheffield. From the 29, Winston hands off to Jones who loses a yard behind a fierce defensive line, lead by Jack Crawford. Winston from the shotgun, has Debo nearly push the lineman into him, gets the ball out to a receiver, but the Bucs were called for holding and backs them up. 2^nd and 21, Winston get it all back by finding Godwin who then gets the 10-yard line. A quick short pass to Godwin for a couple of yards. From the Falcons’ 9, Winston throws left to Miller who is shoved out at the 1. Winston then finds Godwin just inside the goal line for his second touchdown of the day. Kazee nearly tips the ball, but can’t get his fingers on it. With just under 8 to go in the half, the Bucs miss their extra point, but lead 13/10.

Again at the 25, Hill finds a hole on the left side and gains 5 yards. Back under center, Ryan flips it back to Hill who runs along the far left side edge for a first down. From the 35, Ryan finds Gage again for another first down. From the shotgun, Ryan throws just out of Julio’s reach. A hand off to Hill gains 2 yards. On 3^rd and 8, Ridley in motion, Ryan is sacked again. Allen punts to the 10, a return to the 35, stopped by Ollison. An illegal black is called and the Bucs will begin on their own 5.

The Bucs come out running and are stopped back to back for minimal gain. Another 3^rd and 7, Winston in the shotgun and throws to Breshad Perriman at the 49. Quinn challenged the reception and it was upheld. After a short run, under Claybo pressure, Winston throws out of bounds over the receiver. On 3^rd and 9 Winston finds Evans for the first down, Kazee and Rico converge for the tackle. Cover 2 is not working today.

Two-minute warning.

From the Falcons 30, Winston hands off and Jones is met with the whole defense and forced back for a 3-yard loss. From the shotgun, Winston decides to run, not slide, and is stopped after 4 yards. Falcons call a time out. 3^rd and 9, Winston finds wide open Godwin at the 3. A run goes for nothing. After another Falcons timeout, Winston from the 1, fakes a handoff and finds a defensive lineman in as a fullback open in the end zone. Vita Vea for the touchdown reception. With 40 seconds til the half, the Bucs lead 19/10.

Ryan throws underneath Julio across the middle and he cannot bring the ball in. Ryan drops back and nearly throws an interception, not seeing the defender step between him and intended receiver Christian Blake. On 3^rd and 10 with 29 seconds to go, Ryan finds Hill at the 30, but Hill cannot gain any additional yards. Allen on to punt again with 20 seconds to go. The punt goes to the 17 and takes a Bucs bounds, but roles until 5 seconds remain.

The Bucs take a knee and go to have leading the Falcons by 9.

The Bucs start with no gains, then on a 3^rd and 10, Winston runs the ball himself past the marker, fighting with Rico all the way. A sweep to Scotty Miller goes for a loss, spotted and dropped by Rico. On 2^nd and 12, Dare Ogunbowale goes up the middle for a first down. Note that Grady was not in on that play. Another run up the middle, then bounces to the right side for a big first down at the Falcons 10. Jones runs up the middle for a short gain, but there is a flag on the play. Illegal formation was declined and the Bucs are at the 14 with a 2^nd and 9. Winston finds O.J. Howard over the middle for another first down. Then Jones in for the touchdown.

The Bucs kicker has his extra point blocked by Sheffield. Sharrod Neasman picks up the ball, goes for a number of yards before being touched, then spins and waits for blockers and is finally pushed out of bounds. Grady and other lineman were down field still blocking.

Ryan in the shotgun at the 25, to Hill on the right side for a yard. Ryan finds an open Gage up at the 45. Hill on the left side for no gain. Ryan throws big downfield for Ridley, who catches the ball in tandem with Carlton Davis III and the refs give the ball to the Bucs.

From the Bucs 11, Winston hands off twice. On 3^rd and 2, under pressure, Winston throws an incompletion.

After the punt, the Falcons begin on their 44 and Ryan finds Ridley for a 17-yard gain. After a false start on James Carpenter. Ryan throws an incompletion toward Stocker and high to Gage who cannot haul it in. Ndamukong Suh has an illegal use of hands after a misthrow by Ryan towards Ridley.

Automatic first down, Hill gets the ball on the left side for no gain. At the 40, it’s 2^nd and 10, Ryan drops back and hits Julio for the first down just past the marker. Another reception by Julio, and its 2^nd and 3 at the 21. Hill goes up the middle for a gain of one yard. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan is lined up on the left side of the line, Gage takes the snap and tosses to Ollison for the first down. A fake to Ollison leads to a short pass to Julio, which is negated by a flag on Matthews. On 1^st and 18 Ryan almost throws an interception. Then he hits Ridley in the corner of the end zone, but he lands with one foot in, one foot out. Another hold on Matthews. It’s now 2^nd and 28, Gage with the 9-yard reception. On 3^rd and 19, Hill gets the call for short yardage. Koo on for the successful 40-yard field goal. With 1:40 to go in the 3^rd quarter, Falcons down 25/13.

Winston comes out slinging to Godwin again, who avoids tackles before Kazee gets him down. Quickly driving with multiple missed tackles, as the quarter ends.

The Bucs are at the 33 as the fourth quarter begins. Debo’s pressure on Winston does not stop his quick pass and completion. Then Jones around the left side for another few yards. On 3^rd and 4 at the 14, Claybo and Grady are both held with no penalties called. The Bucs do not get the first down and are forced to kick the 32-yard field goal and lead the Falcons 28/13 with nearly 13 minutes to go in the game.

The first pass of the next possession goes to Gage for a first down. Then to Julio for another first down. Gage along the sideline for 6 yards. Near the 50, Ryan misses Ridley over the middle with defenders cloaking him. On 3^rd and 4, Ryan scrambles, finally throws low toward Graham which falls incomplete. The Falcons go for it on 4^th and 4, Gage catches the ball at the marker. Ollison up the middle for 7 yards, then a pass to Ollison over the middle for the first down. Ridley goes down the left side and is stopped at the 14. After an incompletion to Gage in the end zone, Ryan is sacked – on Matthews’ side. There is a near sack, the ball is in the air, nearly intercepted. This leads to a 38-yard field goal. Falcons still down 28/16 with just over 8 to go in the game.

Winston starts again with a quick first down pass. Then no gain as Rico makes a big stop. On 2^nd and 10, Winston is under pressure and throws incomplete to the tight end with Rico in coverage. The next incompletion is null as Beasley is offsides. On 3^rd and 5, there is a false start on the Bucs. Third and 10 meets a Trufant pass breakup. The Bucs punt to the 19.

The first play is a sack given up by Kaleb McGary. Ridley has another catch, again with one foot in and one foot out. Another failed play and the Falcons punt again.

After another short Bucs’ drive, the Falcons give up their 6^th sack of the day, which is also a fumble. Bucs take the ball and increase their lead to 35/16.

Matt Schaub replaces Ryan at quarterback, has a low ball to Blake which is intercepted, but the turnover is overturned and marked incomplete. Schaub hits Ridley for the 21-yard touchdown. The Falcons go for the unsuccessful 2-point conversion. The score is 35/22 with just under 2 minutes to go in the game.

The Bucs run out the clock and issue the Falcons their first lost in the NFC South and end any insane hope of a playoff run.

#RiseUp

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