Atlanta Falcons: Game balls in loss to Buccaneers

Once again, the Atlanta Falcons shot themselves in the foot and it ended up being costly. Entering the game as heavy favorites, the Falcons turned missed opportunities into a divisional loss.

Despite the loss, there were a few individuals who played well and aided the Falcons in keeping them in the game. For their contributions, they earn a game ball.

Julio Jones

It’s already known that Julio Jones is a special talent. Jones has been a little gimpy the past few weeks but he appeared to be fully healthy from his hamstring injury suffered earlier in the season. Julio produced a solid game with 12 catches for 162 yards and a score. 

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Unseen on the stat sheet was Julio’s hustle in a first quarter apparent interception as he chased the defender down nearly 80 yards down the field. Jones also caught the game tying TD that sent the game into overtime.

Jacob Tamme

Time and time again, Matt Ryan looked for Jacob Tamme for key conversions. The former Broncos and Colts tight end has provided not spectacular but steady play throughout the season.

A stat line of 10 catches for 103 yards and a TD gave Tamme his best game of the season. Tamme isn’t super talented but he has produced from the tight end position which Atlanta didn’t have last season.

Defense

I have to give a tip of the cap to the defense. Atlanta’s offense committed four turnovers and those four turnovers were converted to 20 points. With an optimistic viewpoint, you can say that even with the offense stumbling, the defense kept the team into the game very much so.

Holding Tampa to 290 total yards including 177 in the air with their starting corners (Trufant and Alford) getting injured during the game and staring S William Moore being inactive prior to kickoff.