Also back for a visit was Mike Smith, the Falcons’ most successful head coach over the franchise’s first 50 seasons (67 wins).
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming from a 20-3 loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 4 of the National Football League preseason.
The Falcons led 10-3 as the first quarter came to a close but the Bucs came roaring back on their first drive in the second quarter.
A member of the military holds a giant American flat during the national anthem before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. Charles Sims’ 23-yard touchdown was the most glaring example of poor execution: Tampa’s running back could have been taken down around the 13-yard line, but he was able to shake of a slew of defenders and rumble into the end zone. The Falcons waited until they were down 31-13 to get into their no-huddle attack.
Quarterback, Jameis Winston, continues his rise following a four touchdown performance that actually began poorly.
Humphries isn’t anxious. Neither is receiver Mike Evans, whom Winston missed in the end zone on the next play.
Jones had just four catches for 66 yards against the Buccaneers, including a 25-yard touchdown.
That made for a positive first game as a head coach for Dirk Koetter, and some redemption for Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, the former Falcons head coach.
Just ask the guy with Gatorade all over his shirt and a game ball under his arm.
It was a frustrating start for the Falcons, who were 1-5 against NFC South opponents in 2015, including 0-2 against Winston and the Buccaneers. Doug Martin ran for 62 yards. In 2014 he recorded 6.5 sacks and 17 tackles.
Matt Bryant was 3-for-3 on field goals, and he kicked one with under five minutes to go to put the Falcons within a touchdown. Ryan Griffin completed 23 of 38 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown against an interception while Jameis Winston didn’t play. Freeman rushed 11 times for a measly 20 yards.
A valiant second-half effort from the Falcons but defensive errors cost them against a very good Buccaneers team.
“I’m good, though”, Jones said.
Ryan is not going to publicly call for more no-huddle, but the Falcons have to acknowledge that it works for them. In the first quarter, he had just 15 passing yards.
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Coleman led Atlanta with his modest 22 yards rushing on eight carries and added five catches for 95 yards.
