Week 11 - Memorable matchups
Here are recaps of several games over the years between the Buccaneers and Falcons.
November 27, 1977 - Atlanta 17, TAMPA BAY 0
In the inaugural regular season meeting between the two teams, Atlanta held Tampa Bay to just 117 yards from scrimmage. The Falcons' defense intercepted four passes and forced two fumbles, recovering one of them. Atlanta running back Haskel Stanback capped the scoring with a pair of one-yard runs.
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Gerald Riggs |
December 6, 1981 - TAMPA BAY 24, Atlanta 23
This epic back-and-forth battle came down to a field goal attempt with just four seconds remaining. Mick Luckhurst's 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right to allow Tampa Bay to escape with a victory. The thriller included some fourth quarter fireworks highlighted by a 71-yard TD pass from QB Doug Williams to WR Kevin House.
September 28, 1986 - Atlanta 23, TAMPA BAY 20
Tampa Bay found themselves with a comfortable margin at halftime, leading the then undefeated Falcons, 20-7. This lead would prove too little as the Falcons tied the game in the fourth quarter following a one-yard touchdown run by Gerald Riggs, and two field goals by kicker Mick Luckhurst. Another field goal by Luckhurst, this time in overtime, propelled the Falcons over the Buccaneers.
December 2, 1990 - TAMPA BAY 23, Atlanta 17
The Buccaneers held on to a slight six-point lead at halftime following an 89-yard TD bomb from QB Vinny Testaverde to WR Willie Drewrey. Tampa Bay relinquished the lead in the fourth quarter. Then, trailing by one-point, Testaverde struck again, this time throwing to Mark Carrier who scored on the 35-yard reception, clinching the victory for the Buccaneers.
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Warren Sapp |
In this classic see-saw battle, the Falcons and Buccaneers traded touchdowns for three quarters. Warren Sapp scored on a five-yard interception return which was followed by the Bucs' striking two more times with rushing TDs. Falcons QB Jeff George threw for 295 yards and three TDs. The Falcons final score came off of the foot of Morten Andersen following a drive that ate 6:00 minutes off the clock in the final quarter. The Falcons defense held up, not allowing Tampa Bay past their own 42-yard line in the final minutes of the game.
September 21, 2003 - Tampa Bay 31, ATLANTA 10
In a game dominated by the Buccaneers, DT Warren Sapp lined up as a tight end and caught the first TD reception of his career. Sapp caught a 6-yard pass from QB Brad Johnson just before halftime to give the Bucs a 17-3 lead. The Falcons were able to bring the game to within seven points in the third quarter but Tampa Bay fullback Mike Alstott would respond by scoring on a 2-yard run and again on a 1-yard run to put the game out of reach for Atlanta.