| Buccaneers–Falcons rivalry | |
| Team1: | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Team2: | Atlanta Falcons |
| Team1logo: | Tampa Bay Buccaneers wordmark.svg |
| Team2logo: | Atlanta Falcons wordmark.svg |
| City Or Region: | Tampa, Atlanta |
| First Contested: | November 27, 1977 Falcons 17, Buccaneers 0.[1] |
| Mostrecent: | December 10, 2023 Buccaneers 29, Falcons 25 |
| Nextmeeting: | October 3, 2024 |
| Stadiums: | Buccaneers: Raymond James Stadium Falcons: Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Total: | 61 |
| Currentstreak: | Buccaneers: 1 |
| Largestvictory: | Buccaneers: 48–10 Falcons: 56–14 |
| Longeststreak: | Buccaneers: 6 (1997–2003) Falcons: 5 (2008–2010, 2016–2018) |
| Series: | Buccaneers: 31–30 |
| Section Header: | Championship Success |
| Section Info: | Super Bowl Championships (2)[2] [3]
Conference Championships Appearances (8) Division Championships (14)
Wild Card Berths (1970–present) (13) |
The Buccaneers–Falcons rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
The two teams met for the first time in, one year after the Buccaneers joined the NFL as the newest expansion team. However, the rivalry did not develop until, when the Buccaneers and Falcons were placed in the newly formed NFC South division, resulting in two meetings annually. During the 2000s, the rivalry between the Falcons and Buccaneers reached its pinnacle, as they frequently battled for the divisional title.[9] However, since then, both teams have faced challenges in maintaining their competitiveness simultaneously. They have experienced fleeting periods of dominance over each other, often influenced by the performance of their respective quarterbacks.[10]
The rivalry is recognized for its closely contested history, with neither team ever holding a lead of more than 5 wins over the other throughout the overall series.[11] [12] Both teams are also known for their aggressive playing styles, with hard-hitting defenses that often result in injuries and penalties.[13] [14] [15] It has also been nicknamed as the I-75 rivalry due to Atlanta and Tampa being along Interstate 75 (I-75).[16]
The Buccaneers lead the overall series, 31–30. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.[17]
The Atlanta Falcons made their debut in the 1966 NFL season, whereas the Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the league in the 1976 NFL season. During the 1977 NFL season, the Falcons were recognized for their outstanding defense, famously known as "Grits Blitz." This defense achieved a remarkable feat by setting an enduring NFL record for allowing the fewest points in a 14-game season.[18] Contrarily, the Buccaneers struggled heavily during their first two seasons. Despite having an average defense, their offense struggled significantly. Their offense ended up at the bottom in terms of points scored, recorded the fewest throwing touchdowns, and was shut out in four games.[19]
On November 27, 1977, the Falcons and the Buccaneers faced each other for the first time. The Falcons had a record of 5-5, while the Buccaneers were struggling with a 0-10 record, having lost 24 consecutive games since the previous season. The Falcons were eager to secure their first playoff appearance, while the Buccaneers were desperate for their first victory as a franchise. The Falcons' renowned defense effortlessly handled the Buccaneers' ineffective offense. The Buccaneers could only manage a mere 78 total yards of offense as they were shut out for the fifth time that season. The Buccaneers never crossed Atlanta's 35-yard line and committed 5 turnovers. Buccaneers coach at the time, John McKay, described their performance as "our worst effort in two years".[20] Despite the Falcons' strong defense, their struggling offense prevented them from making it to their first playoff appearance, finishing the season with a 7-7 record.[21] It took the Buccaneers two more games to finally secure their first franchise win, defeating the New Orleans Saints 33-14.[22]
They met again for their second time in Tampa on September 24 during the 1978 NFL season. The Falcons' defense dominated the Buccaneers in the first half, allowing no first downs and only one pass completion while also forcing a safety. Despite the defensive effort, the Falcons offense struggled again as they were shut out in the first half. The Buccaneers managed to score in the 1st quarter following a 79-yard blocked field goal return by CB Mike Washington. In the 3rd quarter, The Falcons finally scored a touchdown, but the Buccaneers were able to break through the Falcons' defense and secure a game-winning touchdown drive, winning 14-9 and earning their first victory against the Falcons.[23] Even with the loss, the Falcons would later make their first-ever franchise playoff appearance.[24]
The first game in Atlanta took place on November 4 during the 1979 season. After scoring a touchdown and taking an early lead, the Buccaneers faced a tough challenge as the Falcons' defense continued to assert their dominance, shutting them out for the majority of the game. Nonetheless, the Falcons' offense continued to struggle and could only achieve a mere field goal. Eventually, the Falcons managed to score two touchdowns in the 4th quarter. Although the Buccaneers scored a late touchdown drive, they failed to recover the onside kick, leading to a 17-14 victory for the Falcons.[25]
In the 1981 season, both teams entered their matchup in Tampa on December 6 with identical 7-6 records and were vying for a spot in the playoffs. During the 4th quarter, QB Doug Williams connected with WR Kevin House for a 71-yard touchdown pass, retaking the lead for the Buccaneers. In the closing minute of the game, the Falcons advanced into Buccaneers territory, but K Mick Luckhurst missed a 45-yard game-winning field goal that went wide right. As a result, the Buccaneers emerged victorious with a score of 24-23.[26] The Buccaneers went on to qualify for the playoffs, in contrast to the Falcons who closed out the season with a three-game losing streak and missed out on the playoffs.[27] [28]
For nearly a decade, both teams failed to qualify for the playoffs, the only exception being the shortened players' strike 1982 NFL season.[29] [30]
In the matchup in Tampa on September 28 during the 1986 season, the Falcons faced a 20-7 deficit against the Buccaneers by halftime. The Falcons' defense had trouble containing QB Steve Young, who threw for two touchdowns and led a field goal drive. However, in the second half, the defense began to dominate, holding the Buccaneers to 67 yards after allowing 255 yards in the first half. Mick Luckhurst chipped away at the Buccaneers' lead, eventually tying the game with a 34-yard field goal in the final seconds to force overtime. In overtime, both teams traded punts until the Falcons drove down the field to secure a win with a game-winning 34-yard field goal, ending the game with a score of 23-20 after trailing by 13 points.[31]
In the 1987 season opener, the Buccaneers dominated the Falcons with a 48-10 win, their largest victory over the Falcons in the series. The Buccaneers established new team records in points scored, total yardage, margin of victory, and touchdown passes thrown as a result of this game. The Buccaneers amassed 460 yards, while the Falcons only managed 197 yards. QB Steve DeBerg completed 24-of-34, throwing for 333 yards and five touchdowns, with four touchdowns coming on the Buccaneers' first four possessions.[32] The Buccaneers set a new franchise record with a 38-point margin of victory until they achieved an even more impressive 41-point margin by shutting out the Chicago Bears during the 2000 season.[33] The Buccaneers also set a record with 48 points scored in a game, which was later matched in a 2001 game against the Saints. However, this record was eventually broken when they scored 55 points against the Los Angeles Rams in the 2019 season, where they scored 55 points. [34]
During the 1991 season, the Falcons dominated the Buccaneers with a resounding 43-7 triumph on November 17. After nearly a decade, the Falcons made a comeback to the playoffs, being defeated to the eventual Super Bowl champions Washington Redskins.[35] This marked the final game and season at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, as the Falcons made the transition to the Georgia Dome for the following season.[36]
The Falcons secured another dominant victory with a 35-7 blowout against the Buccaneers in Tampa on December 13 during the 1992 NFL season. They amassed 413 yards of offense, as QB Wade Wilson threw five touchdown passes without any interceptions, becoming the first Falcons quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in a game.[37] Despite neither team being in playoff contention, this game stood out due to the ongoing feud between former Houston Oilers coach Jerry Glanville and former Cincinnati Bengals coach Sam Wyche, who currently serve as head coaches for the Falcons and Buccaneers, respectively. As the Falcons secured a commanding lead, Glanville had Wilson throw a touchdown to CB Deion Sanders. Additionally, he granted LB Jesse Solomon, who had been cut by Wyche and the Bucs in the preseason, the opportunity to carry the ball twice on the final drive.[38] [39]
The 1993 season saw the Buccaneers record their first win in Atlanta on October 31. Buccaneers QB Craig Erickson threw for four touchdowns as the Buccaneers built up a commanding 31-3 lead by the end of the 3rd quarter. Despite this, Falcons QB Bobby Hebert rallied his team by throwing three touchdowns, narrowing the lead to 31-24. In the final minutes, the Falcons found themselves on a 4th-and-1 situation on Tampa's 9-yard line. In a critical moment, DE Chidi Ahanotu deflected Hebert's pass, securing a 31-24 victory for the Buccaneers.[40] Following another disappointing season, the Falcons fired Jerry Glanville.[41]
During the 1995 season, the two teams clashed in Tampa on October 22, each enjoying strong starts to the season and vying to secure a spot in the playoffs. Despite facing a Buccaneers' defense that had not permitted opponents to score more than two touchdowns in a game so far, QB Jeff George defied the odds by throwing three touchdowns and three passes of 30+ yards. Meanwhile, the Falcons' defense held off the Buccaneers in the 4th quarter, leading to a 24-21 victory for the Falcons. The Falcons put an end to the Buccaneers' four-game winning streak with their victory.[42] [43] The Falcons would go on to make the playoffs.[44] The Buccaneers' season took a turn after the game, as they went 2-6 the rest of the way, ultimately resulting in the firing of Sam Wyche.[45]
Following a devastating loss in their inaugural Super Bowl appearance against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, the Falcons began the 1999 NFL season with high hopes of redemption. Unfortunately, injuries to key players dashed those hopes, leading to a lackluster 2-7 record when they faced the Buccaneers in Tampa on November 21.[46] Despite initially taking a 10-0 lead in the 1st quarter, the Falcons were unable to maintain their advantage as they were shutout for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, rookie K "Automatica" Martín Gramática kicked four field goals, giving the Buccaneers a 12-10 lead with less than a minute remaining. In a last-ditch effort, the Falcons drove down the field for a game-winning field goal, only to have their hopes crushed by an interception returned for a 47-yard touchdown by CB Donnie Abraham, sealing a 19-10 win for the Buccaneers.[47] The Falcons continued to struggle throughout the season, finishing with a disappointing 5-11 record.[48] On the other hand, The Buccaneers made it to the playoffs but lost in the NFC Championship against the eventual Super Bowl Champions St. Louis Rams.[49]
In the 2002 season, the NFL realigned its teams into eight divisions: four teams in each division and four divisions in each conference. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons were relocated from the NFC Central and NFC West respectively to the newly established NFC South, alongside the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers. Consequently, the Buccaneers and Falcons were scheduled to face each other twice annually: once in Tampa and once in Atlanta.[50]
On October 6, 2002, the two teams faced off for the first time as divisional rivals in Atlanta. In the 3rd quarter, the Falcons suffered a setback when QB Michael Vick was injured after being sacked by DE Simeon Rice. QB Doug Johnson took over for the remainder of the game. Following a Falcons' field goal to make it 6-3, the Buccaneers found themselves in a 3-and-6 situation from their own 24-yard line when QB Brad Johnson connected with WR Keyshawn Johnson, who then ran for a 76-yard touchdown. Under a new quarterback, the Buccaneers managed to shut down the Falcons' offense for the rest of the game. A pivotal play occurred when DT Warren Sapp, while being brought down by OT Todd Weiner after catching an interception, threw a lateral pass to LB Derrick Brooks, who ran it back for a touchdown. During the game, Sapp was seen taunting the sold-out Georgia Dome crowd during timeouts, walking up and down the line of scrimmage and flapping his arms. After the game, Sapp was quoted saying "We have some deadly bullets on this team. And we are going out shooting right now. Coach says there should be an investigation because it looks like there are twelve of us out there right now." The Buccaneers emerged victorious in their first divisional matchup, winning 20-6.[51] [52]
Both teams were vying for the first NFC South title when they faced off once again on December 8 in Tampa. The Buccaneers, boasting a 9-3 record, were led by their historic number 1 defense that introduced an innovative defensive tactic later dubbed the "Tampa 2".[53] The Falcons overcame their slow start and won their next seven games, including a tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Michael Vick showcasing impressive performances as they held an 8-3-1 record.[54] In a highly anticipated rematch, which garnered such attention that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue himself decided to attend, the Buccaneers emerged victorious in a dominant fashion as their defense controlled the game throughout. Michael Vick, who entered the game amidst much hype, was sacked twice by the Buccaneers' defense and limited to 12-of-25, 125 passing yards, and 9 rushing yards on 6 carries. On the other hand, Brad Johnson threw for 276 yards and four touchdown passes. In terms of total yards, the Buccaneers outperformed the Falcons by a significant margin, accumulating 421 yards compared to the Falcons' 181 yards. The Buccaneers won 34-10, putting an end to the Falcons' unbeaten streak and sweeping them in their first season series as divisional rivals.[55] [56] The Buccaneers went on to clinch the first-ever NFC South title. Meanwhile, the Falcons managed to secure a playoff spot by a narrow margin, surpassing their long-standing divisional rivals, the Saints, due to the tie against the Steelers. This would be the first, and only time, both teams made the playoffs in the same season.[57] During the playoffs, the Falcons pulled off a surprising win against the heavily favored Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field but ultimately fell to the Philadelphia Eagles.[58] On the other hand, the Buccaneers triumphed over both the San Francisco 49ers and the Eagles, earning their ticket to their first Super Bowl appearance.[59] In Super Bowl XXXVII, the Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders for their first Super Bowl Championship.[60]
The Buccaneers entered the 2003 season defending their Super Bowl Title. They met the Falcons in Atlanta on September 21, where they continued from where they left off and routed them 31-10. Doug Johnson filled in as quarterback for the Falcons after Michael Vick suffered a fractured right fibula in a preseason game. The Buccaneers' defense limited Johnson to just 95 passing yards and forced 3 interceptions. A noteworthy event unfolded as Warren Sapp, playing as a Tight end, caught a touchdown pass from Brad Johnson, earning his first offensive touchdown in his career.[61] With this win, the Buccaneers extended their winning streak against the Falcons to six games, the longest streak in the series.[62]
However, when the two teams met again on December 20 in Tampa, the Buccaneers had experienced a complete collapse. Heartbreaking one-score losses, numerous injuries, a blown 21-point lead in the final 3 minutes against their former coach, Tony Dungy, and internal tensions had all contributed to their disappointing 7-7 record leading up to this matchup.[63] The Buccaneers desperately needed a victory in order to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while the Falcons, who had already been eliminated, aimed to spoil their opponent's chances. The Buccaneers delivered yet another dismal performance, with Brad Johnson throwing 4 interceptions in the first half. Despite coming off a fibula injury and a subpar showing against the Indianapolis Colts, Michael Vick managed to overcome the Buccaneers' defense and converted the turnovers into points. By halftime, the Buccaneers found themselves trailing 27-7, with fans booing them as they went into the locker room. A Falcons field goal extended their lead to 30-7 heading into the 4th quarter. However, Brad Johnson redeemed himself in the second half and threw two touchdowns, including a pass to WR Keenan McCardell who ran 76 yards for a touchdown. The Buccaneers successfully recovered an onside kick and scored another touchdown with just 23 seconds remaining. Yet, in line with the narrative of their season, they fell short when DE Travis Hall deflected the two-point conversion, resulting in a devastating 30-28 loss. With this victory, the Falcons put an end to their 6-game losing streak against the Buccaneers and effectively eliminated them from playoff contention.[64]
Rich McKay, who has been a part of the Buccaneers organization since 1992, is the son of John McKay, the team's first head coach.[65] In 1994, Rich McKay was promoted to the position of general manager.[66] Throughout his time as general manager, McKay selected future hall-of-fame athletes like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and Ronde Barber, and assembled the 2002 Buccaneers' Super Bowl-winning team which included seven Pro Bowl players.[67]
Despite achieving success, his association with the Buccaneers began to deteriorate. Following the dismissal of Tony Dungy, which was done against his wishes, McKay had his sights on Marvin Lewis and assisted Lewis in forming a coaching team before a meeting with the Glazers led to Lewis being turned down and Jon Gruden being acquired from the Oakland Raiders.[68] [69] Despite the Super Bowl victory, McKay and Gruden allegedly had a strained relationship due to conflicting visions on team management.[70] Ultimately, this led to McKay and the Buccaneers organization coming to a mutual agreement that enabled him to leave and explore new positions with other teams.[71]
On December 15 2003, just five days before the matchup in Tampa, Rich McKay and the Falcons mutually agreed for him to assume the role of their new general manager.[72] After the Falcons defeated the Buccaneers, McKay expressed his struggle with cheering against his former team, saying "I've rooted for them for a long time as individuals, and it's hard to watch them and then root against them. That's very hard, but it happens in free agency, too."[73]
During McKay's tenure, the Falcons have been to the playoffs seven times, been to three NFC Championship games, and participated in a Super Bowl.[74] At the end of the 2010 season, the Falcons had 9 Pro Bowlers, most of them drafted by McKay.[75]
In the 2004 season, the Buccaneers recorded their first shutout over the Falcons in Tampa on December 5. Vick struggled, finishing 13-of-27 for 115 yards, fumbling twice, getting sacked five times, and throwing two interceptions, both at the Buccaneers 1-yard line. The shutout win ended the Falcons' four-game winning streak and prevented them from securing their first NFC South title.[76] Nevertheless, the Falcons went on to clinch their first NFC South title in the following game against the Raiders.[77] Subsequently, they suffered a defeat to the Eagles in the NFC Championship.[78]
In the 2005 season, both teams were in contention for the division title. When they faced off in Atlanta on November 20, both teams had a record of 6-3, trailing the Carolina Panthers by one game. The Buccaneers started the game with a field goal. After a couple of drives, Michael Vick stumbled over G Kynan Forney's foot and was sacked by Buccaneers' DT Anthony McFarland at the 1-yard line, forcing him to exit the game and allowing backup QB Matt Schaub to step in. On the following play, Schaub was hit from behind by Simeon Rice, causing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by McFarland. After a series of punts, the Buccaneers added a 45-yard field goal to make it 13-0. Vick returned and orchestrated a field goal drive for the Falcons' first points. Just before halftime, Vick led a touchdown drive, bringing the score to 13-10 in favor of the Buccaneers at halftime. On the first possession in the third quarter, Vick guided a 10-play drive resulting in a touchdown pass to TE Alge Crumpler, giving the Falcons the lead. The Buccaneers quickly responded with a rushing touchdown by RB Mike Alstott. In the 4th quarter, the Falcons tied the game at 20-20 with a field goal. Subsequently, QB Chris Simms was intercepted by MLB Keith Brooking near midfield. After converting two 3rd-and-9 plays, Vick threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Michael Jenkins, putting the Falcons ahead 27-20. On the ensuing drive, the Buccaneers marched down the field, with RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams scoring on a 9-yard rush to even the score at 27-27 with under two minutes remaining. In a pivotal defensive play, Derrick Brooks leaped over former teammate RB Warrick Dunn's block attempt and sacked Vick at Atlanta's 34-yard line, causing a fumble that was recovered by LB Shelton Quarles. Four plays later, K Matt Bryant kicked a 45-yard field goal to give the Buccaneers a 30-27 lead with 42 seconds left. In a last-ditch effort, Vick positioned his team for a field goal within Tampa's 37-yard line. However, K Michael Koenen's 55-yard field goal attempt veered wide right, securing a thrilling 30-27 victory for the Buccaneers.[79] Vick finished with 21-of-38 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, Vick outgained the Buccaneers as a whole, as they only mustered 256 yards on offense. Carnell Williams was the standout performer for the Buccaneers, racking up 116 yards on 19 rushing attempts. Following the game, Buccaneers' CB Ronde Barber commented on the intense rivalry, stating "Two equally matched teams. There's big plays all over the field when we two play each other." Following their victory, the Buccaneers were tied for first place with the Panthers, who were just defeated by the Bears. Meanwhile, the Falcons dropped down a spot in the rankings due to their loss.[80]
The Buccaneers and the Falcons clashed once again five weeks later on Christmas Eve in Tampa. Both teams were vying for playoff berths, with the Buccaneers holding a 9-5 record and the Falcons standing at 8-6. The Buccaneers were determined to retain their lead in the NFC South, while the Falcons were desperate for a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive. After the teams traded punts, Buccaneers' CB Brian Kelly was penalized for defensive pass interference, resulting in the Falcons moving to Tampa's 4-yard line. This led to Vick throwing a touchdown pass to FB Justin Griffith for the first points of the game. Another defensive pass interference penalty was called, but this time on the Falcons, moving the Buccaneers to Atlanta's 11-yard line. Simms then threw a touchdown pass to FB Jameel Cook to tie the game. In the 2nd quarter, Vick ran up the middle when DE Dewayne White forced a fumble that was recovered by DT Chris Hovan at Atlanta's 29-yard line. Simms capitalized on this turnover by throwing a touchdown pass to Alstott to take the lead. Shortly after, Simms threw an interception to Keith Brooking. Notably, this interception ended Simms' streak of 127 consecutive passes without an interception, which had started after the same person, Brooking, intercepted him in their previous matchup. Vick then threw a touchdown pass to Jenkins to regain the lead. Simms later threw another interception, this time to DB DeAngelo Hall at Atlanta's 22-yard line, who returned it to Tampa's 13-yard line for 65 yards. The Falcons settled for a 31-yard field goal to end the half with a 17-14 lead. The 3rd quarter saw both teams trading punts. The Buccaneers ended the scoring drought in the 4th quarter, tying the game with a field goal. The Falcons quickly retaliated, as Vick connected with Jenkins for a 37-yard pass that led to a rushing touchdown by RB T.J. Duckett. Cadillac Williams evened the score with a rushing touchdown. Following the extra point, the game was tied at 24-24 with only 31 seconds left. Vick kneeled to send the game into overtime. In overtime, the Buccaneers won the coin toss and opted to receive. However, during the kickoff, WR Edell Shepherd managed to run for 18 yards before being tackled and losing possession of the ball, which was then recovered by DB Ronnie Heard at Tampa's 18-yard line. Duckett carried the ball twice, gaining 8 yards, setting up a 28-yard field goal opportunity for K Todd Peterson at Tampa's 10-yard line. In what would have been a game-winning field goal, Peterson's kick was blocked by Dewayne White. Seizing the opportunity, the Buccaneers marched down for a game-winning 27-yard field goal attempt by Bryant at Atlanta's 9-yard line. However, Bryant's kick veered wide right, resulting in both teams missing their chances at securing victory with field goals. Both teams exchanged punts until the Buccaneers got the ball at Atlanta's 49-yard line with 54 seconds remaining in overtime. Simms swiftly threw a 15-yard pass to TE Alex Smith, stopped the clock by spiking the ball, and then completed an 11-yard pass to TE Anthony Becht before spiking the ball again with 20 seconds left, setting up a 41-yard field goal attempt at Atlanta's 23-yard line. Bryant redeemed himself by successfully making the field goal, ultimately leading the Buccaneers to a 27-24 overtime thriller victory.[81] The Falcons' defeat resulted in a sweep by the Buccaneers, leading to their official elimination from the playoffs.[82] Subsequently, the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South title after sweeping the Saints in the season finale.[83]
In the 2006 season, the Falcons met the Buccaneers in Tampa on September 17. Despite the Buccaneers' defense being ranked #1 the previous season, they couldn't stop Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn, who rushed for 127 and 124 yards on the ground respectively. The Falcons amassed a total of 306 rushing yards on the ground, establishing a new franchise record for the highest amount of rushing yards achieved by the team. Additionally, this remarkable feat also marked the most rushing yards ever allowed by the Buccaneers in a single game.[84] The Falcons would break this record two years later when they amassed 318 rushing yards against the Detroit Lions.[85] In the rematch in Atlanta on December 10, the Buccaneers struggled once again. After initially taking a 6-0 lead, DE John Abraham forced a fumble on QB Bruce Gradkowski, leading to a 54-yard touchdown recovery by OLB Demorrio Williams to give the Falcons the lead. The Buccaneers failed to score again, resulting in a 17-6 victory for the Falcons.[86] This marked the first time the Falcons swept the Buccaneers as divisional rivals. The Buccaneers ended up winless in their division, going 0-6, just a year after winning the NFC South.[87]
This was the last season Michael Vick played for the Falcons, after which he pleaded guilty to his role in the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation. Subsequently, he was suspended indefinitely without pay and eventually released by the Falcons.[88] [89] Vick finished with a 4-5 record against the Buccaneers.[90] During his time with the Falcons, Michael Vick earned numerous Pro Bowl selections and guided the Falcons to two playoff appearances. However, he often faced challenges when playing against the Buccaneers, particularly struggling against their defense.[91] [92] [93]
Being led by journeymen quarterbacks in the 2007 season, the Falcons were easily swept by the Buccaneers as both games resulted in blowout losses.[94] With their win in the matchup in Tampa on December 16, the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South and swept the Falcons for the third time.[95]
A memorable moment from that game was when WR Micheal Spurlock etched his name in history as the first Buccaneer to score a touchdown on a kickoff return. Following PK Morten Andersen's 33-yard field goal, which turned out to be the only points the Falcons scored, Michael Koenen kicked off to Spurlock at Tampa's 10-yard line. With exceptional blocking from the Buccaneers' special teams, Spurlock found a gap and sprinted 90 yards to secure the team's first-ever touchdown return after 32 seasons and 1,865 attempts.[96]
In the 2008 season, newly drafted Falcons QB Matt Ryan made his debut against the Buccaneers in Tampa on September 14. Despite a strong NFL debut against the Lions, Ryan struggled against the Buccaneers defense.[97] The Buccaneers' defense was able to force two turnovers and nine consecutive incomplete passes from Ryan, resulting in a 14-0 lead for the Buccaneers. Warrick Dunn, a former Falcons running back now playing for the Buccaneers, scored one of the touchdowns. Although Ryan eventually managed to lead three field goal drives, RB Earnest Graham ran for a 68-yard touchdown to put away the game for a 24-9 Buccaneers win. Matt Ryan finished with 13-of-33 for 158 yards, threw two interceptions, and was sacked four times.[98]
The Falcons and Buccaneers clashed in Atlanta on December 14 after twelve weeks, battling for a playoff berth. Despite low expectations for the Falcons, they boasted an impressive 8-5 record under rookie HC Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan.[99] [100] On the other hand, the Buccaneers were 9-4 and aiming to retain their NFC South lead. The Falcons initially took a 10-0 lead, but Ryan's two interceptions, one by CB Aqib Talib at Tampa's 1-yard line and another by Ronde Barber, allowed the Buccaneers to close the gap to 10-7 by halftime. In the third quarter, Ryan completed a pass to TE Jason Rader, which initially appeared to be a touchdown. However, S Jermaine Phillips managed to knock the ball out of his hands, resulting in a fumble. The officials initially ruled it as a touchdown, but after Tampa Bay challenged the decision, it was overturned. With 3:43 remaining, Matt Bryant missed a 53-yard field goal that would have tied the game. Nevertheless, on the subsequent drive, Michael Koenen's punt was blocked by WR Brian Clark, allowing the Buccaneers to gain possession on their own 22-yard line. Bryant then redeemed himself by successfully kicking a 38-yard field goal. The Falcons ran out of time to score, leading the game to go into overtime. In overtime, the Buccaneers won the coin toss and received the ball first. After a sack by John Abraham, his third in this game, the Buccaneers punted, and the Falcons used RB Michael Turner to quickly move down the field that ended with a game-winning 34-yard field goal for a 13-10 Falcons victory.[101] Following their victory, the Falcons improved to 9-5 and went on to make the playoffs.[102] Meanwhile, the Buccaneers concluded the season with a four-game losing streak and missed out on the playoffs.[103]
In the matchup in Atlanta on November 29 during the 2009 season, the Falcons faced a challenging situation when key offensive players like Matt Ryan and Michael Turner had to leave the game due to injuries. Backup QB Chris Redman stepped in for Ryan, who was sacked five times by the Buccaneers defense as they established a 17-13 lead going into the 4th quarter. The game took a turn when Buccaneers' K Connor Barth missed a 51-yard field goal, granting the Falcons possession of the ball at their own 41-yard line with 2:30 remaining and no timeouts. Despite being contained by the Buccaneers' defense throughout the game, Redman skillfully orchestrated a 59-yard drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass to WR Roddy White, allowing the Falcons to regain the lead with a mere 26 seconds left on the clock. The Falcons successfully halted the Buccaneers just as time expired, securing a hard-fought victory with a final score of 20-17. Redman's performance was commendable, completing 23-of-41 for 243 yards and 2 touchdown passes. The Buccaneers' loss in this game officially ended their playoff hopes.[104] The Falcons swept the Buccaneers in their first ever season finale matchup in Tampa with a 20-10 win. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, this win marked the first instance of back-to-back winning seasons in Falcons' history.[105] The Buccaneers finished the season with 3-13, their worst record since 1991.[106]
Both teams had identical records of 5-2 and were fiercely competing for the divisional title when they clashed in Atlanta on November 7 in the 2010 season. In the late stages of the 3rd quarter, the Falcons extended their lead to 27-14 with a successful field goal by Matt Bryant. However, on the subsequent kickoff, Michael Spurlock, who had previously given the Buccaneers their first franchise kickoff touchdown against the Falcons, returned an 89-yard kickoff for a touchdown for the second time in his career, narrowing the score to 27-21. Following a punt by the Falcons in the 4th quarter, the Buccaneers regained possession of the ball on their own 9-yard line. QB Josh Freeman and Cadillac Williams moved the chains down to Atlanta's 11-yard line. With less than 3 minutes remaining, the Buccaneers faced a 4th-and-1 situation at Atlanta's 2-yard line. However, on the crucial 4th down, RB LeGarrette Blount's attempt was stuffed by S Thomas DeCoud and LB Coy Wire, resulting in a turnover on downs. Turner then skillfully managed the clock, securing a 27-21 victory for the Falcons. With this triumph, the Falcons claimed sole possession of first place in the NFC South.[107]
They met again in Tampa on December 5th, where the Falcons, leading the NFC with a 9-2 record, faced off against the Buccaneers, who held a 7-4 record. In the 4th quarter, the Buccaneers managed to secure a 24-14 lead following a successful field goal. However, their momentum was quickly halted when WR Eric Weems returned the subsequent kickoff for an impressive 102-yard touchdown, narrowing the lead to 24-21. Matt Ryan then rallied his team by skillfully orchestrating a touchdown drive, propelling the Falcons into the lead. As time dwindled, the Buccaneers regained possession of the ball and relied solely on passing plays. Despite making progress down the field, Freeman's throw was picked off by DB Brent Grimes, enabling the Falcons to control the clock and secure a 28-24 victory. The Falcons emerged victorious despite Ryan's two interceptions, which marked the team's initial turnovers in five games, and being outgained by 325 yards to 290. The Falcons increased their winning streak to five games against the Buccaneers.[108] [109]
The Falcons concluded the season with a remarkable 13-3 record, emerging as the champions of the NFC South and securing the top seed in the NFC.[110] On the other hand, the Buccaneers finished the season with a respectable 10-6 record, tying with the Packers and New York Giants for the final 6th seed. However, the Packers secured their spot in the playoffs due to a superior strength of victory (.475) compared to the Giants (.400) and Buccaneers (.344), ultimately eliminating both teams.[111] In a surprising turn of events, the Packers went on to shock the Falcons in the playoffs and ultimately triumphed in Super Bowl XLV.[112]
In the 2011 season, the Buccaneers faced off against the Falcons in Tampa on September 25. In the 2nd quarter, Josh Freeman led an impressive 80-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown as he ran up the middle. To celebrate, he mimicked Atlanta's famous "Dirty Bird" dance by flapping his arms. The Buccaneers took a 16-3 lead into the 4th quarter before Ryan connected with newly drafted WR Julio Jones for a 49-yard pass and then threw a touchdown to TE Tony Gonzalez. A field goal drive by Ryan narrowed the lead to 16-13. With 1:49 left on the clock, the Buccaneers faced a 4th-and-1 at Atlanta’s 44-yard line. Initially planning to punt, Falcons’ DT Corey Peters flinched on the hard count, granting the Buccaneers a fresh set of downs. With no timeouts remaining for the Falcons, the Buccaneers ran down the clock for a 16-13 victory, breaking a five-game losing streak against the Falcons. Julio Jones showcased an impressive performance in his debut in the rivalry. He recorded his first 100-yard game, accumulating a total of 115 yards on six receptions. Ronde Barber expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “These guys have really been a thorn in our side. We've lost too many games like this one to them the last few years. It was nice to finally beat them.” Freeman added "It's huge, and it's about time one went our way. They've been really close games since I've been here. They're a great divisional opponent.”[113]
The Falcons sought redemption when they faced off against each other in the season finale in Atlanta on New Year's Day. After suffering a devastating 45-16 defeat against the Saints, the Falcons unleashed their frustration on the struggling Buccaneers, who entered the matchup with a nine-game losing streak. Despite already securing a playoff spot, the Falcons swiftly established a commanding 42-0 lead by the middle of the 2nd quarter, highlighted by Jones scoring two touchdowns in just 26 seconds. As the game progressed, the Falcons opted to rest their key players in the second half, resulting in a final score of 45-24 in their favor. With this victory, the Falcons secured the 5th seed in the playoffs, while the Buccaneers concluded their season with a disappointing ten-game losing streak.[114] [115]
During the 2012 season, the NFC-leading Falcons faced off against the Buccaneers, who were on a four-game winning streak, in Tampa on November 25. In the middle of the 3rd quarter, Ryan connected with Julio Jones for an 80-yard touchdown pass, giving the Falcons a 17-13 lead. However, in the 4th quarter, CB E.J. Biggers sacked Ryan, causing a fumble that the Buccaneers capitalized on, taking a 23-17 lead. Ryan bounced back and led a 64-yard drive in the next possession, allowing the Falcons to take a narrow 24-23 lead. The Buccaneers attempted a comeback, but Connor Barth missed a 56-yard field goal, securing a 24-23 victory for the Falcons. Ryan threw for 353 yards, while Jones caught six passes for 147 yards. Ryan also had an impressive start with 10 straight completions. This win helped the Falcons maintain their top spot in the NFC and ended the Buccaneers' winning streak.[116]
In the season finale in Atlanta, the Falcons, who had already clinched the top seed in the NFC, decided to play their starters to maintain their momentum for the playoffs. This decision led to injuries for key players as they lost 22-17. This defeat snapped the Buccaneers' 5-game losing streak that started after their previous loss to the Falcons.[117] Despite their injuries, the Falcons ultimately suffered a defeat against the 49ers in the NFC Championship.[118]
In the 2014 season, the Falcons faced off against the Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Atlanta on September 18. During a Buccaneers punt, return specialist Devin Hester grabbed the ball near midfield and sprinted past the Buccaneers special team for a touchdown, setting a new NFL record for most career return touchdowns with 20. This broke the previous record he held with former Falcons star Deion Sanders, who was present on the sideline as a television analyst. At halftime, the Falcons were comfortably ahead with a score of 35-0, limiting the Buccaneers to just 63 yards total and 2 first downs. The Buccaneers gave up 35 points before gaining a single first down. Entering the 4th quarter, the Falcons extended their lead to an impressive 56-0. Although most of their starters were taken out of the game at this point, the Falcons still secured a dominant 56-14 victory over the Buccaneers. The Falcons ended the game with a total yardage advantage of 488-217. Matt Ryan finished with 21-of-24 for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns, achieving a 155.9 QBR. Julio Jones hauled in nine passes for 161 yards.[119] The total score of 70 points remains the highest in a game for both teams in the rivalry.[120] With a total of 56 points, this game became the second-highest scoring game in the history of the Falcons.[121] It also tied for the second most points allowed by the Buccaneers in a single game.[122] Following the game, Buccaneers HC Lovie Smith emphasized to his team that the outcome "left a scar" and that "Scars don't go away. The rest of our lives, we're going to remember this game."[123]
On January 8, 2015, Dirk Koetter, the Offensive Coordinator for the Falcons, accepted the position of Offensive Coordinator for the Buccaneers.[124] Nearly a year later, he was elevated to the role of head coach for the team.[125] On the same day, the Buccaneers also brought on Mike Smith, who had been the most successful and longest-tenured head coach for the Falcons, to serve as their Defensive Coordinator.[126] When asked on how it felt to face his former team, Koetter replied "Obviously for me and Mike, we're both two years removed, so there's less and less guys that they've kept. There's some guys that are the same, but I think my emotional time with that is passed. We have to look at this as a football team. This is a divisional game on the road to open the season. ... I'm just worried about what our team does." Smith minimized the significance of returning to Atlanta, stating that his focus lies on his team's offense and strategizing to counter the Falcons' offensive tactics.[127]
In their final season at the Georgia Dome, the Falcons took on their former coaches in the 2016 season opener in Atlanta. The Buccaneers emerged victorious with a score of 31-24, courtesy of QB Jameis Winston's impressive performance, throwing four touchdowns.[128] Following the victory, Dirk Koetter was presented with the game ball, marking his first win as a head coach.[129]
They later met on Thursday Night Football in Tampa. The Falcons boasted the top offense in the league, led by Matt Ryan who topped the NFL in passing yardage with 2,980 yards. The Falcons dominated the Buccaneers with a final score of 43-28, showcasing their offensive prowess. Facing their former head coaches, the Falcons amassed 461 total yards, with Ryan throwing for 344 yards and four touchdowns. In his last four games against the Buccaneers, Ryan has thrown for 1,344 yards, nine touchdowns, and only two interceptions. After the game, fans stayed to chant "MVP!" for Ryan in the stands.[130]
Ryan went on to win the MVP award as the Falcons triumphed over the Seattle Seahawks and Packers to secure their second Super Bowl appearance.[131] However, the Falcons faced a devastating loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, despite holding a 28-3 lead.[132] After suffering an embarrassing loss in the Super Bowl, the Falcons became the target of ridicule as they squandered a significant lead and missed out on their chance to secure their first Super Bowl Championship. Memes regarding the incident flooded the internet, with even the Buccaneers joining in on the fun. The Falcons took a jab at the Buccaneers on Twitter (now referred to as X) for promoting the sale of the team's fidget spinners online. In response, the Buccaneers posted a photo of CB Vernon Hargreaves (No. 28) and Jameis Winston (No. 3) fist-bumping in the locker room with the caption "We ain't worried 'bout nothing!", mocking the Falcons for blowing a 28-3 lead.[133] However, the tweet was deleted by the team and Dirk Koetter issued an apology, expressing, "I want to make sure on behalf of the Bucs organization that I apologize to the Falcons for whatever that was supposed to be that went out on social media. That's not what our organization is about."[134]
In the 2017 season, WR Julio Jones showcased one of his most impressive displays against the Buccaneers at Atlanta's newly opened Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26. He caught 12 receptions for 253 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. He played a significant role in the Falcons' accumulation of 516 total yards, which set a new record for offensive yardage against the Buccaneers in a single game, as they won 34-20. Notably, he also caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from WR Mohamed Sanu.[135] Three weeks later, the teams faced off on Monday Night Football in Tampa, with the Falcons emerging victorious in a close game thanks to K Patrick Murray missing a 54-yard game-tying field goal wide right.[136] At the end of the season, the Falcons, Saints, and Panthers all secured playoff spots, while the Buccaneers fell short, marking the first time three NFC South teams made it to the playoffs.[137]
In the 2018 season, the teams clashed in Atlanta on October 14th. With 1:18 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Falcons were holding onto a narrow 31-29 lead. Following a Falcons' field goal, the Buccaneers now had to go for a touchdown to win. Jameis Winston, who had just returned from a suspension for violating the NFL's contact policy, led the Buccaneers offense to Atlanta's 21-yard line with no timeouts left. In a surprising move, Winston decided to take the snap and sprinted straight up the middle of the field instead of passing. As he approached the 10-yard line, he threw the ball away to avoid being tackled. WR Adam Humphries attempted to recover the ball but fumbled it, only for WR Mike Evans to pick it up and flick it to WR DeSean Jackson. Jackson had a clear path to the end zone but couldn't maintain control of the ball, causing it to roll out of bounds. This sealed a 34-29 victory for the Falcons.[138] Frustrated by the missed opportunity, Jackson expressed his anger by ripping off his helmet and kicking the pylon. He expressed his frustration in the postgame interview, firmly stating, "No way we should have lost to this team. We're a way better team than what we showed today."[139] Despite having 510 total yards on offense, which set a new record for offensive yardage against the Falcons in a single game, they allowed 417 total yards from the Falcons. Following another disappointing defensive performance, the Buccaneers fired Mike Smith the following day.[140]
In a meaningless season finale match held in Tampa, both teams aimed to end their disappointing seasons on a positive note. The Buccaneers secured a 17-0 lead towards the end of the 2nd quarter. However, Matt Ryan rallied his team with five consecutive scoring drives, and caught his first career reception on a five-yard touchdown pass from Mohamed Sanu.[141] Late in the 4th quarter Winston threw a touchdown, giving the Buccaneers a 32-31 lead. Ryan orchestrated a 56-yard drive, setting up a game-winning 37-yard field goal that sealed their 34-32 victory. This win extended the Falcons' winning streak against the Buccaneers to five games for the second time.[142] Later that day, the Buccaneers fired Dirk Koetter.[143] On January 8, 2019, Koetter was re-hired to be the offensive coordinator for the Falcons.[144]
The Buccaneers ended their five-game losing streak against the Falcons in the 2019 season in Atlanta on November 24, thanks to their defense recording six sacks and a fumble return by DT Ndamukong Suh.[145] DT Vita Vea made history by catching a one-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston, weighing in at 347 pounds, making him the heaviest player in NFL history to catch a touchdown pass.[146]
In the first play of overtime in the season finale game in Tampa, Jameis Winston threw a pass intended for TE Cameron Brate only to have it intercepted by OLB Deion Jones. Jones then returned the interception 27 yards for a game-winning touchdown, resulting in a 28-22 Falcons victory.[147] Additionally, with this pick-six, Jameis Winston made history by becoming the first player in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single season.[148]
On March 20, 2020, former New England Patriots QB Tom Brady signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers.[149] To the Falcons, Brady is famously remembered as the quarterback who orchestrated the 25-point comeback in their Super Bowl LI defeat. On March 28 each year, Brady takes to social media to commemorate the occasion as the date is represented as "3/28".[150] Additionally, Brady maintained a perfect record against the Falcons, boasting a 6-0 record.[151]
Brady and the Falcons officially met as divisional rivals on December 20 in Atlanta. Despite facing some close calls and slow starts, the Buccaneers held a record of 8-5 and were on the verge of clinching the playoffs for the first time since 2007.[152] On the other hand, the Falcons endured heartbreaking losses throughout the season and were already out of playoff contention after their defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers the previous week.[153] [154] [155]
The Falcons dominated the first half, taking a 17-0 lead. They finished with 261 total yards, led by Matt Ryan's 235 passing yards. On the defensive side, they stifled Tom Brady, limiting him to just 70 passing yards and sacking him twice as the Buccaneers accumulated 60 total yards. However, the tides turned in the second half as Brady exploded, throwing for 320 yards. He led the Buccaneers on four touchdown drives and a field goal in five consecutive possessions. Simultaneously, the Buccaneers defense applied pressure on Ryan, particularly with LB Devin White recording three sacks. The Falcons' offense struggled to find their rhythm, managing only 33 total yards and a single field goal in the second half. With 6:19 remaining, Brady found WR Antonio Brown for a 46-yard touchdown, propelling the Buccaneers into the lead. The Buccaneers defense held strong, securing a remarkable 31-27 comeback victory.[156] Brady overcame a sluggish start to complete 31-of-45 for 390 yards and threw two touchdowns.[157] Brady once again showcased his ability to lead a remarkable comeback against the Falcons, prompting numerous comparisons to his Super Bowl comeback against the same team a couple of years ago.[158] [159]
This was also the last game Julio Jones played in the rivalry, as he sat out the remainder of the season from a hamstring injury. Subsequently, in the 2021 NFL offseason, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans.[160] Jones was recognized for having some of his best performances against the Buccaneers during his time as a Falcons, accumulating 114 catches for 1,841 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 games.[161] [162] [163]
In the season finale held in Tampa, Brady threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns as he led the Buccaneers to a 44-27 victory. The Buccaneers secured the 5th seed and were heading back to the playoffs, whereas the Falcons ended up last in the NFC South, marking the first time since 2007 for both teams.[164] In the playoffs, the Buccaneers defeated the Washington Football Team, Saints and Packers all on the road to reach their second Super Bowl appearance.[165] In Super Bowl LV, the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs for their second Super Bowl Championship.[166]
After defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the 2021 season opener, Brady posted a video on his social media celebrating the victory. However, keen observers pointed out that a clock positioned adjacent to Brady's left shoulder indicated the time as 3:28, likely a subtle reference to his remarkable comeback against the Falcons in the Super Bowl. This was also done just before their matchup, as Brady and the Buccaneers met the Falcons the following week on September 29 in Tampa.[167] Despite the Falcons' finding themselves down by 3 by the start of the 4th quarter with a score of 28-25, the Buccaneers swiftly responded by securing 20 unanswered points en route to a 48-25 victory. Brady threw for 276 yards and five touchdowns whereas Matt Ryan threw for 300 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Dating back to last season, the Buccaneers extended their win streak to 10 games while the Falcons extended their losing streak to 7 games.[168] They met again on December 5 in Atlanta. In the second half, the Buccaneers' defense recorded five sacks as they shut out the Falcons for the remainder of the game for a 30-17 win. Brady completed 38-of-51 and threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns. Brady's career record against the Falcons improved to 10-0.[169]
This would be the last start in the series for Matt Ryan, as he was traded to the Colts the following offseason.[170] Ryan finished with a passer rating of 94.7, threw for 7,509 yards, 43 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in the 28 games he played against the Buccaneers.[171] His statistics and game performances were crucial in tilting the balance of the rivalry in favor of the Falcons.[172] Following a playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl Champions Los Angeles Rams, Brady announced his retirement on February 1, 2022.[173]
On March 13, 2022, Tom Brady, after declaring his retirement 40 days earlier, announced that he is reversing his decision and confirming that he would be playing for the Buccaneers again in the upcoming 2022 season.[174]
After being released by the Titans, the Buccaneers signed longtime Falcons star player Julio Jones to a one-year contract.[175] He did not get the chance to play against his former team due to missing significant time with a partially torn PCL.[176] Ultimately, Jones was not retained and was let go after the season.[177]
Still hoping to get their first win against him, the Falcons met the Buccaneers in Tampa on October 9. Entering the 4th quarter, the Buccaneers held on to a 21-0 lead when the Falcons scored 15 unanswered points to narrow the gap to 21-15 with 4:38 left. In a crucial moment on a 3rd-and-5 play, Brady was sacked by DE Grady Jarrett. But instead of punting the ball back to the Falcons, which could have given them a chance for a potential game-winning drive, the officials made a controversial call, penalizing Jarrett for roughing the passer. This decision allowed Brady to run down the clock and secure a 21-15 victory for the Buccaneers, while also improving his undefeated record against the Falcons to 11-0. Following the game, fans, sports analysts, and Falcons players expressed their dissatisfaction with the controversial call, suggesting that it may have been influenced by Brady's popularity. When questioned about the call, Brady simply stated, "I don't throw flags" while Jarrett chose not to speak to the media after the game.[178] [179] [180]
The Buccaneers, despite entering the season as heavy favorites to win a weak NFC South, struggled throughout the season with injuries, sudden retirements, departures, and a weak offensive line. As a result, this allowed their divisional rivals in the NFC South who were also struggling, like the Falcons, to contend for the divisional title.[181] Nevertheless, the Buccaneers secured the NFC South title for the second consecutive season after defeating the Panthers.[182] The Buccaneers and Falcons clashed in the season finale in Atlanta, a game that held no significance for playoff berths or seeding. Brady began the game and guided the Buccaneers to a total of 10 points. With 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter, Brady exited the game, and backup QB Blaine Gabbert took over. Brady finished with 13-of-17 for 84 yards and 1 touchdown. After Gabbert threw a touchdown pass, the Falcons shut down the Buccaneers offense for the remainder of the game, resulting in a 30-17 victory for the Falcons. Since Brady started the game, this win gave the Falcons their first win against Tom Brady, bringing the final record to 11-1.[183] The loss also made the Buccaneers divisional champs with a losing record, becoming the 4th team in NFL history to do so, Additionally, it marked Brady's first losing season.[184] This would turn out to be Tom Brady's last regular career game, as he announced his retirement for a second time on his social media on February 1, 2023.[185] Throughout the six games played against the Falcons as a divisional rival, Brady proved to still be a nightmare for them, boasting impressive statistics including a passer rating of 111.7, throwing 1,868 yards, 17 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions.[186]
Replacing Tom Brady, the Buccaneers signed QB Baker Mayfield to a one-year contract on March 15, 2023.[187] As the 2023 NFL season commenced, many anticipated that the Buccaneers would struggle and some even predicted that the Falcons would win the NFC South.[188] The first matchup between the two teams took place on October 22 in Tampa. Despite both teams experiencing turnovers, it was K Younghoe Koo who sealed the victory for the Falcons with a game-winning 51-yard field goal, resulting in a 16-13 win.[189] The second matchup occurred on December 10 in Atlanta, where Mayfield led a remarkable 75-yard drive in the final moments, securing a 29-25 triumph for the Buccaneers.[190] Against all expectations, the Buccaneers won the NFC South for a third consecutive year after narrowly defeating the Panthers in the season finale, as the Falcons failed to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.[191]
In the 2024 NFL offseason, the Buccaneers signed Mayfield to a three-year contract while the Falcons signed QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract.[192] [193]
|-| | style="| Falcons
17–0| Tampa Stadium | style="| Falcons
1–0| Buccaneers join the NFL last season as an expansion team. With the loss, Buccaneers losing streak extends to 25 games.|-| | style="| Buccaneers
14–9| Tampa Stadium | Tie
1–1| |-| | style="| Falcons
17–14| Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium| style="| Falcons
2–1| |-|-| | style="| Buccaneers
24–23| Tampa Stadium| Tie
2–2 | |-| | style="| Buccaneers
23–6| Tampa Stadium| style="| Buccaneers
3–2 | |-| | style="| Falcons
23–20(OT)| Tampa Stadium| Tie
3–3 | Falcons overcome a 20–7 halftime deficit.|-| | style="| Buccaneers
48–10| Tampa Stadium| style="| Buccaneers
4–3| Buccaneers record their largest victory over the Falcons with a 38–point differential, which was also a franchise record for largest victory at the time.|-| | style="| Falcons
17–10| Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium| Tie
4–4 | |-|-| | style="| Buccaneers
23–17| Tampa Stadium| style="| Buccaneers
5–4||-| | style="| Falcons
43–7| Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium| Tie
5–5 | Final season the Falcons played at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, as they would move to the Georgia Dome next season.|-| | style="| Falcons
35–7| Tampa Stadium| style="| Falcons
6–5||-| | style="| Buccaneers
31–24| Georgia Dome| Tie
6–6 | Buccaneers record their first win in Atlanta.|-| | style="| Falcons
34–13| Georgia Dome| style="| Falcons
7–6| |-| | style="| Falcons
24–21| Tampa Stadium| style="| Falcons
8–6| |-| | style="| Buccaneers
31–10| Houlihan's Stadium| style="| Falcons
8–7| Tampa Stadium was briefly renamed to Houlihan's Stadium. Final season the Buccaneers played at Tampa/Houlihan's Stadium, as they would move to Raymond James Stadium the next season.|-| | style="| Buccaneers
19–10| Raymond James Stadium| Tie
8–8||-| | style="| | | style="| Buccaneers
27–14| style="| Buccaneers
9–8| |-| | style="| | style="| Buccaneers
34–10| style="| Buccaneers
20–6| style="| Buccaneers
11–8|
Both teams are placed in the NFC South during the 2002 NFL realignment, resulting in two meetings annually.
As of, only time both teams made the playoffs in the same season.
Buccaneers win Super Bowl XXXVII.
In Tampa, Micheal Spurlock returned a 90-yard kickoff for a touchdown, becoming the first player in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 32 seasons to return a kickoff for a touchdown.
|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Buccaneers