TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, riding the momentum of their most dominant performance of the season, host the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1, with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff on FOX, in a game that could reshape the NFC South standings.
Tampa Bay’s 43-13 demolition of the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte last week - the third-highest margin of victory in a road game in franchise history - pulled the Buccaneers back into a division race now bunched across four teams. The Panthers lead at 3-3, followed by the Falcons at 3-4, with both the Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints sitting at 2-5.
The Buccaneers ran for 258 yards, forced four turnovers that led directly to 20 points and sacked Panthers quarterback Bryce Young five times in what the team described as its most complete effort of the season. Tampa Bay’s defense has now recorded 10 sacks over the last two games.
Atlanta arrives in Tampa having pulled off its own statement win, knocking off the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Michael Penix threw touchdown passes to Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Nick Muse without throwing an interception, while running back Bijan Robinson posted 122 yards from scrimmage. The Falcons closed out San Francisco with three takeaways on the 49ers’ last five drives, including interceptions by linebacker Kendal Daniels and safety Jessie Bates.
The Falcons’ offense has averaged 31.0 points per game over the last five weeks, with Robinson accumulating 907 yards from scrimmage through seven outings. Tampa Bay’s defense, however, held what had been the NFL’s leading passer to just 163 yards in the Carolina game.
In the all-time series between the two franchises, Atlanta holds a 33-32 edge. Sunday’s game is the first of six remaining division contests for the Buccaneers, who are looking to prove their 1-5 start does not reflect where the team stands heading into the second half of the season.