Falcons complete comeback as Bucs drop from first in NFC South - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris challenged his team Monday to fight. There had been a significant lack of that in recent weeks, with the Falcons facing a short week against an NFC South rival.

On Thursday night in prime time, they showed that fight. The Falcons came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-28 at Raymond James Stadium. The win was capped by Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez, who hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired.

The Falcons were led by monster nights from quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.

Cousins finished 30-of-44 for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, Robinson had 19 carries for 93 yards and another 82 receiving yards on eight catches, and Pitts had a night to remember, exploding for 11 catches for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns.

This loss was a big blow for the Buccaneers, who are battling the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South crown. Tampa falls half a game behind Carolina with three weeks to go.

Tampa Bay has won once in its past six games, while Atlanta won just its second game in its past nine.

Here are the most important things to know from Thursday night for both teams:

QB performance: Cousins had the two best games of his 2024 season against the Bucs. That success against Tampa Bay continued Thursday night. Cousins had over 150 yards with two touchdowns in the first half for the third straight time against the Falcons' division rival.

Stat to know: Pitts had his first 100-yard receiving game since his rookie season in 2021. Pitts went off in the first half, the kind of performance the Falcons desperately needed without Drake London (knee). It was the first time a Falcons player had 100