Falcons Defeat Buccaneers 31-26, Take All-Time Series Lead and Improve to 5-3

The Atlanta Falcons secured a thrilling 31-26 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking the lead in their all-time regular-season series at 32-31. With the win, the Falcons improved to 5-3 overall and remained undefeated within the NFC South at 4-0—the first time since 2014. This victory cements Atlanta’s standing as a dominant force in the division and puts them in strong contention for the playoffs.

Offensive Firepower

Atlanta’s offense shone brightly, amassing 394 total yards, with 265 passing yards and 129 rushing yards, resulting in four touchdowns. The balanced attack between air and ground kept the Buccaneers’ defense off-balance, allowing the Falcons to maintain control of the game.

Key Defensive Plays

Defensively, the Falcons came through with critical stops, forcing three turnovers that proved decisive. Safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. each recorded interceptions, while Bates also forced and recovered a fumble on Tampa Bay’s first drive. These defensive plays stifled Tampa’s offensive momentum and were key to the Falcons’ victory.

Player Highlights

•Kirk Cousins: Cousins delivered a stellar performance, completing 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns, achieving a passer rating of 145.9—his best since 2017. Notably, three of his touchdowns were passes of 30 or more yards, a career first. He became the first Falcons quarterback since Matt Ryan in 2020 to throw three first-half touchdown passes and made history with eight touchdown passes against the Buccaneers this season.

•Bijan Robinson: The dynamic running back scored his first receiving touchdown of the season on a six-yard pass late in the third quarter, extending his touchdown streak to three games. With 63 rushing yards in the game, Robinson surpassed 1,500 career rushing yards in just 25 games, the second-fastest Falcon to do so.

•Darnell Mooney: Mooney caught a 30-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, tying his season-high with four touchdown receptions. He led the team with five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, marking his second game this season as the Falcons’ top receiver.

•Kyle Pitts: The Falcons’ tight end had a career performance, catching two touchdowns—a 36-yard play on fourth down and a 49-yard strike in the second quarter. Pitts finished the game with 91 receiving yards, all in the first half, marking a personal best for yards in a single half.

•Jessie Bates III: Bates was instrumental on defense, forcing and recovering a fumble early in the game that led to a touchdown and later intercepting a pass in the third quarter. His ability to force turnovers has been a game-changer, with three forced fumbles and two interceptions this season, all against Tampa Bay.

•A.J. Terrell Jr.: Terrell recorded his second interception of the season in the fourth quarter, while also matching his season-high with seven tackles. His contributions in both pass coverage and run defense have been key for Atlanta.

•Kaden Elliss: Elliss led the Falcons with 11 tackles, including seven solo, marking his second straight game with double-digit tackles. His presence in the middle of the defense continues to grow.

•Demone Harris: Elevated from the practice squad, Harris made a solid impact with two tackles, including one for a loss, helping to bolster the Falcons’ defensive front.

Looking Ahead

With strong performances from Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, and a defense led by Jessie Bates III and A.J. Terrell Jr., the Falcons are on a roll as they look toward the postseason. Their next game will be against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, November 3. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

As they continue to gain momentum, the Falcons will need to maintain their balanced offense and opportunistic defense to keep their edge in the NFC South. The road ahead remains challenging, but Atlanta has proven they are ready for the task.