I think Jameis Winston and Cam Newton will be battling it out in the NFC South for quite a while. If we expect Julio to go insane, it has to be because Matt Ryan gets him there.
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The two backups flashed their athleticism on highlight-worthy touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 31-24 win over Atlanta on Sunday. Atlanta’s former head coach, Mike Smith, is now Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator, and the Bucs’ new head coach, Dirk Koetter, was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator for some of Matt Ryan’s best seasons.
In fantasy football scoring running back Doug Martin led the team with almost 200 points* on the season.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is now 1-6 in NFC South play, while Tampa Bay’s Koetter gets his first win as an National Football League head coach over his former team.
Koetter was splashed with a bucket of Gatorade and given the game ball by Winston.
A home team with a 10-0 halftime lead against a team that just lost its quarterback for the year probably shouldn’t lose if it expects to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Eight receivers caught passes.
The Bucs defense was led by defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy and linebacker, Kwon Alexander.
Atlanta Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones left the game in the midst of the rally with an ankle injury, but he returned. The Falcons’ final possession ended at their 28. Ryan completed 27 of 39 passes for 334 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Smith was the winningest coach in Falcons history, almost leading Atlanta to the Super Bowl during the 2012 season.
“Once I heard from them, I didn’t even try to argue anything”.
Ryan is not going to publicly call for more no-huddle, but the Falcons have to acknowledge that it works for them.
Bryant’s 34-yard field goal gave Atlanta the lead with 1:45 left in first half to cap off a 7 play, 45-yard drive. “It doesn’t matter if the ball goes to me or Matt (Ryan) on a quarterback sneak or to Julio (Jones)”. The second-year starter overcame a horrendous opening 15 minutes to throw for 281 yards and four touchdowns.
CHEERS FOR WINSTON: Winston earned repeated compliments from his teammates, including center Joe Hawley, who began his career with Atlanta.
“It’s not often that you have young guys like him with that kind of poise at such an important position with all the eyes on him”, said Tampa Bay center Joe Hawley.
Thank you Raheem Morris for the laughs: You really should try for one of those late-night TV shows.
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Said Titans coach Mike Mularkey with brutal clarity: “The turnovers obviously were catastrophic”.
