Il Nuovo Postiglione - Falcons edge reeling Buccaneers 29-28 in NFL

NYSE - LSE

RBGPF	0%	81.17	$
SCS	0.12%	16.14	$
RELX	0.25%	40.38	$
GSK	-0.14%	48.81	$
AZN	-0.51%	89.83	$
VOD	0.4%	12.59	$
RYCEF	-1.71%	14.6	$
RIO	-1.43%	75.66	$
BTI	-2.22%	57.1	$
BCE	1.31%	23.71	$
NGG	0.32%	74.93	$
CMSD	-0.65%	23.25	$
BCC	0.33%	76.51	$
CMSC	-0.56%	23.3	$
BP	-0.77%	35.26	$
JRI	-0.15%	13.7	$

Falcons edge reeling Buccaneers 29-28 in NFL

SPORTS 12.12.2025

Falcons edge reeling Buccaneers 29-28 in NFL / Photo: Julio Aguilar - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Zane Gonzalez booted the game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Atlanta Falcons to a 29-28 NFL victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday that saw the Buccaneers slip out of a tie for the NFC South divisional lead.

Text size:

The Falcons, already eliminated from playoff contention, clearly relished their role as potential spoilers in Tampa Bay, where Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns -- all to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.

Bijan Robinson also ran for a touchdown and Gonzalez kicked a 43-yarder to seal the victory.

Trailing 28-14 with 13:34 remaining, the Falcons had touchdowns by Robinson and Pitts but missed two-point conversions on both.

After the Bucs, leading 28-26, came up empty on their final drive the Falcons got the ball back and despite a sack of Cousins and a holding penalty set Gonzalez up for the game-winner.

"If you're a pro football player you're a fighter," Cousins said.

"There's a lot for us to play for in terms of just us men and wanting to be excellent at what we do. And I think that showed tonight."

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

The Bucs, who had raced to a 6-2 record and threatened to run away with the division, have now lost five of their last six games -- including a loss to division stragglers New Orleans last week.

The Carolina Panthers can tighten their grip on the NFC South when they visit the Saints on Sunday.

The Buccaneers and Panthers will then meet twice over the final three weeks of the regular season.

"This one's going to haunt me," said Mayfield, who was particularly stung by a fourth-quarter interception. "This falls on my shoulders.

"You can't turn the ball over, can't have that interception... we have to be better on offense, and it comes down to how I play."

S.Maiolo--INP

Featured

Liverpool's Slot says 'no issue to resolve' with Salah after outburst

Arne Slot said there was "no issue to resolve" after bringing Mohamed Salah on as a substitute in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday -- a week after the forward's explosive comments about the club.

Stormers see off La Rochelle, Sale stun Clermont in Champions Cup

The Stormers ran in six tries to see off a youthful La Rochelle side 42-21 in the Champions Cup on Saturday, while South Africa captain Siya Kolisi scored as the Sharks edged three-time winners Saracens 28-23.

Maresca hails Palmer as Chelsea return to winning ways against Everton

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insisted his side were a better team for having Cole Palmer back after the forward scored on his first Stamford Bridge start in almost four months as the Blues beat Everton 2-0 to move back into the Premier League's top four.

Salah sets up goal on return to Liverpool action

Mohamed Salah set up a goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday as he returned to action after an explosive outburst cast doubt over his future at the Premier League champions.