(Tampa) Younghoe Koo’s third field goal of the game, 51 yards, on the final play of the game saved quarterback Desmond Ridder and the Atlanta Falcons, now first in the National Association South under a 16-13 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
The Falcons (4-3) ended an eight-game losing streak on the road, ahead of the Buccaneers (3-3).
Ridder committed three turnovers in the Buccaneers’ penalty zone, including on a play that cost him a 12-yard rushing touchdown and would have given his team a 10-point lead with less than four minutes left in the game.
Ridder lost the ball on a quarterback sack as the Falcons wanted to take the lead just before halftime. The 24-year-old quarterback committed another turnover in the third quarter, on the play following Drake London’s 13-yard catch that put the Falcons at the Buccaneers one-yard line.
London almost got the middle finger on the play, but he didn’t appear to have full control of the ball as he stretched wide for the touchdown.
Following a lengthy review of the sequence, the play resumed at the one-yard line, and the Buccaneers rookie recovered the ball dropped by Ridder.
Ridder totaled 250 yards and had no interceptions. He put his team in good position for Koo’s winning field goal, after Chase McLaughin managed to tie the game for the Buccaneers with a 36-yard field goal in the final minute of play.
McLaughlin also made a 24-yard field goal earlier in the game.
Kyle Pitts had a 39-yard catch to put the Falcons in winning position late in the game.
Baker Mayfield threw for 275 yards, with a touchdown pass and an interception.
Mike Evans scored the touchdown for the Buccaneers on a 40-yard reception in the first quarter.