Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Score, results, highlights from Monday night game in Tampa

E.Jay Zarett

•
Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Score, results, highlights from Monday night game in Tampa image

Falcons-Buccaneers stats, box score

The Atlanta Falcons held on for a 24-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night in Tampa as the Bucs kicker Parick Murray missed a field-goal attempt as time expired.

The Buccaneers scored a touchdown with 4:07 remaining to cut its deficit to three points before forcing an Atlanta punt. Quarterback Jameis Winston moved the Buccaneers to the Falcons' 36 before kicker Murray’s 54-yard attempt missed wide right with no time left on the clock. 

MORE: Watch NFL in U.S. live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day trial)

The win moved Atlanta to 9-5 on the year while Tampa Bay fell to 4-10.  

Devonta Freeman rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown to lead the Falcons, while Matt Ryan threw for a score. Winston tallied 299 passing yards and three touchdowns for Tampa Bay in the losing effort. 

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE: Falcons sitting pretty ahead of Lions, Seahawks, Cowboys

Sporting News provided live updates throughout Monday night’s game. Here’s how Atlanta came away with the road win (all times Eastern).

Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Score, results, highlights

Final score: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 21 

11:33 p.m.: Tampa Bay kicker Patrick Murray misses a 54-yard field goal try as time expires. Atlanta holds on for the three-point win in Tampa.

11:29 p.m.: Tampa Bay sacks Ryan on third down, forcing an Atlanta punt. The Buccaneers will take over at their 27, trailing by three, with one minute to play.

11:24 p.m.: Ryan completes a 7-yard pass to Devonta Freeman on third down to move the chains for Atlanta with 2:23 to play.

11:18 p.m.: Touchdown, Buccaneers. Winston escapes pressure, rolls right and hits Adam Humphries in the end zone for a 16-yard score. Winston has thrown three touchdowns in the game. Tampa Bay trails 24-21 with 4:07 remaining.

11:08 p.m.: Touchdown, Falcons. Devonta Freeman receives a pitch, finds a seam and takes it into the end zone for a score. Freeman has 122 yards on 20 carries so far. Atlanta leads 24-14 with 7:58 to play.

10:58 p.m.: Tampa Bay moves the chains twice but a Winston scramble on third down comes up short of the maker and it punts. The Falcons will take over at their 13.

End of third quarter: Falcons 17, Buccaneers 14 

10:49 p.m.:  Atlanta moves 61 yards on 15 plays over 7:05 of game action. Ryan throws three straight incompletions on the Tampa Bay 15 and Matt Bryant comes on to attempt a 33-yard field goal. His kick, however, is blocked and the score remains 17-14 with 1:16 to play in the third quarter.

10:29 p.m.: Touchdown, Buccaneers. Winston launches a 42-yard pass to Mike Evans in the end zone on the third play of Tampa Bay’s drive. The Buccaneers trail 17-14 with 8:31 remaining in the third quarter.

10:24 p.m.: Atlanta fails to pick up a first down after a holding penalty and it punts. Tampa Bay will start its drive at the Atlanta 47 following an 11-yard return by Adam Humphries.

10:17 p.m.: The Buccaneers are called for offensive pass interference and a false start as they go three-and-out.

10:13 p.m.: We’re back for the second half in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers will start the period’s opening drive at their 45.

Halftime: Falcons 17, Buccaneers 7

9:59 p.m.: The Buccaneers run two plays before time expires and they’ll head into halftime trailing by 10.

9:56 p.m.: Atlanta picks up a pair of first downs but its drive stalls. The Falcons punt and Tampa Bay will take over at its 19 with 28 seconds to play. 

9:50 p.m.: A Winston pass on third down is dropped by Alan Cross and Tampa Bay punts. The Falcons will take over at their 15 with 1:43 left in the half.

9:42 p.m.: Field goal, Falcons. Atlanta moves into Tampa Bay territory on a 29-yard pass from Ryan to Julio Jones and a 22-yard run by Devonta Freeman. After Ryan throws an incomplete pass on third down, Matt Bryant hits a 57-yard field goal to give Atlanta a 17-7 lead.

9:34 p.m.: Turnover, Buccaneers. Tampa Bay advances all the way to the Atlanta 9 before running back Peyton Barber has the ball knocked loose by safety Keanu Neal. Atlanta recovers and will take over at its 5 with 6:30 to play in the half. 

9:30 p.m.: Winston hits Alan Cross with a back shoulder pass down the sideline to move Tampa Bay to the Atlanta 32.

9:14 p.m.: Touchdown, Falcons. Devonta Freeman takes a handoff at the Tampa Bay 1 and fumbles just before reaching the goal line. Atlanta tight end Levine Toilolo falls on the football in the end zone to put the Falcons ahead 14-7. Ryan completed a 29-yard pass to Freeman earlier in the drive to move Atlanta into Tampa Bay territory.

End of first quarter: Falcons 7, Buccaneers 7

9:01 p.m.: Touchdown, Buccaneers. Tampa Bay moves 75 yards in eight plays and scores on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston to O.J. Howard. Atlanta and Tampa Bay are tied at 7-7.

8:49 p.m.: Touchdown, Falcons. Ryan completes seven passes on the drive, including a 6-yard throw to Justin Hardy in the end zone. The Falcons take a 7-0 lead with 6:54 to play in the quarter.

8:36 p.m.: The Buccaneers also go three-and-out on their first possession. Atlanta takes over on its 38 after a 12-yard punt return by Andre Roberts.

8:33 p.m.: The Falcons register two short runs and Matt Ryan throws an incomplete pass on third down. They punt and Tampa Bay will start its first drive at its 19.

8:30 p.m.: We’re underway in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers win the toss and defer. Atlanta will start the game’s opening drive at its 36.

7:49 p.m.: Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin is a healthy scratch from tonight’s game because he violated a team rule .

7:07 p.m.: The Falcons and Buccaneers have announced their inactives.

E.Jay Zarett