Week 14 Game Recap: Atlanta Falcons 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6

What you need to know

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons struggled to move the ball in the first half against a fired up Buccaneers’ defense, and trailed 6-0 heading into halftime. Atlanta’s defense got things started in the third quarter, when DE John Abraham sacked Tampa Bay QB Bruce Gradkowski, forcing a fumble. The ball was picked up by LB Demorrio Williams and returned 54 yards for a score, putting the Falcons up 7-6.

Following injuries to RBs Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood, RB Justin Griffith filled in nicely, and put the Falcons up 14-6 on a 21 yard touchdown run that made the Buccaneer defense look silly.

K Morten Andersen kicked a 23 yard field goal in the fourth quarter to complete an unanswered 17 points that the Buccaneers could not overcome.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay’s offense struggled to convert in the first half, but was able to manage two scoring drives that resulted in Matt Bryant field goals to take a 6-0 lead into the half. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, that would be the last time the scoreboard lit up in their favor for the game.

The second half started roughly for Tampa Bay and didn’t improve much. On the first drive of the second half, QB Bruce Gradkowski lost a fumble on a sack, and the ball was returned by Atlanta for a momentum changing touchdown. Following a three and out by the Buccaneer offense, RB Justin Griffith scored on a 21 yard run that put Atlanta up 14-6. Following two more Buccaneers’ punts, RB Cadillac Williams lost a fumble that the Falcons turned into a field goal, capping off 17 second half points by the Falcons and giving them the victory.

QB Bruce Gradkowski was replaced on the last drive of the game by Tim Rattay, who looked impressive running the hurry up offense. Rattay led the club on an 83 yard drive that was stalled inside the five yard line as time ran out.

What you ought to know

QB Michael Vick, Pass: 14 - 23 - 155 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 5 - 0

Vick had a less than stellar game against the Buccaneers, finishing 14 of 23 for 155 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception. He was also a non factor in the rushing game, totaling just five yards on three attempts. Tampa Bay really focused on containing Vick and keeping him in the pocket, a strategy that was able to keep them in the game. His interception came in the red zone where Vick threw a pass to Lelie in the end zone that sailed on him, and was picked off.

RB Justin Griffith, Rush: 12 - 57 - 1, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets)

Griffith filled in for injured backs Dunn and Norwood to finish out the game for Atlanta, running the ball 12 times for 57 yards, including a 21 yard touchdown run. On the score, Griffith froze a Buccaneers’ defender in the secondary and walked into the end zone. Depending on the severity of the Dunn and Norwood injuries, Griffith could make a nice waiver wire pickup this week.

RB Warrick Dunn, Rush: 11 - 45 - 0, Rec: 2 - 27 - 0 (2 targets)

Dunn had 45 yards rushing on 11 carries, and caught both balls thrown to him for 27 yards. He suffered a calf injury in the third quarter and did not return. Dunn owners should monitor his status for next week.

RB Jerious Norwood, Rush: 7 - 32 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Norwood ran for 32 yards on seven carries and caught one pass for four yards. He suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter that appeared to be serious, so owners should keep an eye out for any information regarding Norwood this week.

WR Ashley Lelie, Rec: 3 - 49 - 0 (7 targets)

Lelie led the way receiving for the Falcons, catching three passes for 49 yards. He was Vick’s favorite target with seven for the game. Two of his receptions were impressive grabs that Lelie had to make adjustments on, and fortunately for Atlanta, he was able to make the plays.

WR Roddy White, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets)

White caught both passes thrown his way for 17 yards.

WR Michael Jenkins, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (4 targets)

Jenkins was not a big factor in the game, finishing with one catch for six yards on four targets.

TE Alge Crumpler, Rec: 3 - 30 - 0 (5 targets)

Crumpler caught three passes for 30 yards, and was targeted five times. He continues to be a trusted safety blanket for Vick when he needs a completion.

PK Morten Andersen 1 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Andersen hit a fourth quarter field goal from 23 yards out and made both of his extra points to finish with five points.

ATL Rush Defense

Atlanta made a conscious effort to slow down the Tampa Bay running game, and seemed to want to force Gradkowski to beat them through the air. For the game, they held the Buccaneers to 80 yards on 29 carries, for a 2.8 ypc average, and held Cadillac Williams to a mere 48 yards on 20 rushes. The Falcons gave up only three first downs via the rush and forced a turnover on a Williams’ fumble.

LB Keith Brooking was all over the place defensively, with 11 solo and six assisted tackles to lead the Atlanta defense.

ATL Pass Defense

The Falcons held their own in defending the pass as well, limiting Tampa Bay to 192 net passing yards, and holding WR Joey Galloway in check after his monster 161 yard performance in their first meeting.

QB Bruce Gradkowski, Pass: 13 - 24 - 121 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 8 - 0

Gradkowski’s struggles for the Buccaneers continued against the Falcons, where the rookie completed 13 of 24 passes for just 121 yards and no touchdowns. While he did not throw any interceptions, Gradkowski did lose a fumble in the third quarter that was returned by the Falcons for a touchdown. He was hit from his blind side, so the play was not totally Gradkowski’s fault, and the same Tampa Bay lineman that was beaten on the play failed to secure the fumble. Head Coach Jon Gruden made the statement that he would not pull Gradkowski if the youngster struggled, but contradicted that statement by sending in Tim Rattay to replace Gradkowski on Tampa Bay’s last drive of the game.

QB Tim Rattay, Pass: 9 - 13 - 83 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 0 - 0

Rattay entered the game in relief of Gradkowski and led the Buccaneers on an 83 yard drive to end the game. Unfortunately, Tampa Bay could not get across the goal line to cap off the drive. Rattay was nine of 13 throwing on the drive

RB Cadillac Williams, Rush: 20 - 48 - 0, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Williams struggled to find holes in the Atlanta defense, rushing 20 times for just 48 yards. Williams just can’t seem to get to the second level and the play of the Buccaneers’ quarterbacks and offensive line surely hasn’t helped. He also lost a fourth quarter fumble that led to an Atlanta field goal and hurt any comeback chance Tampa Bay had in the game.

RB Michael Pittman, Rush: 3 - 4 - 0, Rec: 7 - 73 - 0 (12 targets)

Pittman had a nice game for Tampa Bay, mostly catching the ball in the passing game. He was the most targeted Tampa Bay player, with 12 for the game, and he was able to bring down seven balls for 73 yards. Included in that was a nice catch along the sideline that Pittman used great footwork to stay in bounds on. He could not get much going on the ground, with just four yards on three rushes.

RB Mike Alstott, Rush: 2 - 20 - 0, Rec: 2 - 4 - 0 (3 targets)

Alstott gave the Buccaneers a spark early in the game with two bruising rushes for 20 yards. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, they were the only two rushes he had for the game. In the passing game, Alstott caught two balls for four yards on three targets.

WR Joey Galloway, Rec: 5 - 64 - 0 (9 targets)

Galloway could not duplicate his big game in the first meeting with Atlanta, catching five passes for 64 yards and being targeted nine times. He had a few balls that were poorly thrown bounce off his hands, but Galloway had to make big adjustments in order to try to bring them down.

WR Ike Hilliard, Rec: 4 - 32 - 0 (8 targets)

Hilliard filled in for the injured Michael Clayton and caught four passes for 32 yards. He was targeted eight times, and brought down two receptions for first downs.

WR Michael Clayton

Clayton did not play in the game, and is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

TE Alex Smith, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (3 targets)

Smith caught just two balls for 17 yards on three targets.

PK Matt Bryant 2 - 3 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 6 points

Bryant connected on field goals from 42 and 24 yards out, but missed a 51 yard attempt in the second quarter.

TB Rush Defense

Tampa Bay’s defense showed flashes of their brilliant defensive units of the past, holding one of the league’s most dominant rushing attacks to 139 yards on the ground on 34 carries. Atlanta’s three rushing threats, Vick, Dunn and Norwood, failed to find holes in the Buccaneer defense as neither totaled more than 50 yards on the ground. FB Justin Griffith led the way with 57 yards and scored the team’s only offensive touchdown.

LB Shelton Quarles led the Buccaneers with nine solo and three assisted tackles, and also chipped in with 1.5 sacks.

TB Pass Defense

The Buccaneers’ secondary wasn’t tested much against the run first Falcons, but when they were tested, they were up to the challenge. Atlanta could not get anything going in the passing game, and TE Alge Crumpler and the young receivers were shut down by the Buccaneer secondary. Atlanta was just six of 15 in third down conversions, and had just 141 net passing yards.

DB Ronde Barber totaled five solo tackles and one assist, and fellow DB Phillip Buchanon intercepted a Vick pass in the end zone for Tampa Bay’s only turnover of the game.