Falcons Edge Buccaneers 29-28 on Last-Second Field Goal by Zane Gonzalez
The Atlanta Falcons secured a dramatic 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 43-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez as time expired. Kirk Cousins led the Falcons' offense, completing 30 of 44 passes for 373 yards and throwing three touchdown passes, all caught by Kyle Pitts Sr. Pitts had an exceptional game with 11 receptions for 166 yards, becoming the first tight end since Shannon Sharpe in 1996 to record over 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a single game.
The Falcons overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 deficit in the fourth quarter to improve their record to 5-9. The Buccaneers had taken control after Baker Mayfield threw a six-yard touchdown to Devin Culp and then connected with Chris Godwin Jr. on a two-point conversion, making it 28-14. However, Mayfield also threw a crucial interception late in the fourth quarter, contributing to Tampa Bay's collapse.
The Buccaneers, who wore Creamsicle jerseys to commemorate the franchise's 48th anniversary of its first win, were booed off the field after the loss, dropping their record to 7-7 and falling half a game behind the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. Haason Reddick sacked Cousins and forced a fumble, which was ruled recovered by the Falcons after a simultaneous recovery call. Late in the third and fourth quarters, Bijan Robinson fumbled, with Jacob Parrish recovering at the Falcons' 25-yard line.
Tampa Bay's kicker Chase McLaughlin had a strong performance, making field goals of 52 and 49 yards and maintaining a perfect 10-for-10 record on attempts from 50-plus yards this season.
