Falcons Edge Buccaneers 24-23
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Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesTAMPA, FL) — The Atlanta Falcons edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-23 on Sunday to improve to 10-1 this season.
Matt Ryan passed for 353 yards and one long touchdown to Julio Jones. The duo connected on an 80-yard score in the third quarter. He also had an interception and a fumble lost.
The Buccaneers had a 23-17 lead in the fourth quarter when Ryan led the team on another touchdown drive. This time, it was running back Michael Turner punching it in from three yards out to give the Falcons the lead for good with 7:55 left.
Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth missed a 56-yard field goal late in the game and Josh Freeman’s pass attempt on the final play fell incomplete in the endzone.
Tampa Bay rookie running back Doug Martin rushed 21 times for 50 yards and two scores in the loss, which dropped them to 6-5 and snapped their four-game winning streak.
The Falcons are tied with the Houston Texans (10-1) for the NFL’s best record.
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