Jones was unable to break away from Tampa Bay’s defense, led by former Atlanta Falcons head coach and now Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
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Tampa Bay didn’t entirely overhaul their roster or coaching staff this offseason, and the offense is nearly completely unaltered.
Tampa Bay drove 75 yards in 10 plays after the Falcons’ could manage just Bryant’s second 34-yard field goal after going backwards following a first-and-goal.
Winston looked poised and pretty accurate for most of the game, Jameis Winston completed 23 of 33 passes for 281 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. This NFC South rivalry game was an intense battle between two teams that truly despise one another.
The Falcons got the ball back with 1:45 left.
The Buccaneers, who improved from two to six wins last season, opened their season with a crucial road win in the division by beating the Falcons 31-24 on Sunday.
The Falcons failed to sack Winston, while Ryan was sacked three times.
Charles Sims’ weave through the Falcons defense for a 23-yard TD after a short pass from Winston with 14 seconds left in the first half put the Bucs in front 17-13 lead and swung the momentum.
It was the only such gesture visible throughout the early games Sunday, as the anthems took on more significance because of the 15th anniversary of September 11 attacks. Coach Dirk Koetter, was presented the game ball by Winston said his quarterback got into rhythm when…
“It’s weird to see the people on the other side”, Koetter said.
The Bucs hugged Winston the most, though. Doug Martin ran for 62 yards.
Jones, who caught four passes for 66 yards and scored on a 25-yard catch-and-run, originally suffered the left ankle injury against Miami on August 25.
From 10-3 up, the Falcons were outscored 28-3. “He kept a safety over the top on me”, Jones said. “We thought we would come up and get the stop and give the ball back to them”. If he continues to develop a rapport with Mohamed Sanu and Jacob Tamme, Ryan could be back to being a Pro Bowl level passer. They showed they could be more than afterthoughts in fantasy leagues. The defense played great in the first half allowing only 7 points, and Desmond Trufant returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown. But he eventually broke out and finished the game with five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown, a very respectable fantasy performance.
Tevin Coleman: 5 rec, 95 yards, 8 rushes, 22 yards. Evans had five catches for 99 yards.
CHEERS FOR WINSTON: Winston earned repeated compliments from his teammates, including center Joe Hawley, who began his career with Atlanta.
“Either way we feel comfortable”, head coach Dan Quinn said. But the interception was all on Mariota, and it’s a play that’s happened a couple of times in his young career.
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Members of the military watch as players warm up before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.
