Falcons Fine: First in NFL to Dime

The Atlanta Falcons with a 28-24 road victory over the, division rival, Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first NFL team of the 2010-11 season to win 10 games.The Falcons were down 10 points after the Buccaneers took a 24-14 lead on a one yard running back pass by Ernest Graham. The Falcons cut the lead to seven with a franchise record 102 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by returner Eric Weems.

After forcing a punt the Falcons got the ball back and needed a 25 yard catch by wide receiver Roddy White on third and 20 to keep the drive alive. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw a nine yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Jenkins with 4:31 left in the game, which ended up being the game winning touchdown. Cornerback, Brent Grimes, secured the win with an interception of quarterback Josh Freeman on the ensuing Buccaneers drive.

Ryan and the Falcons were anything but perfect on the day. After going a franchise record four successive games without a turnover, the Falcons missed out on setting new NFL record of five when Ryan threw two interceptions, both of which led to touchdowns by the Buccaneers.

The defense, which had not allowed a 100 yard rusher against them since week 2, was gashed by rookie running back, LeGarrette “Needa” Blount, who had 103 yards on the ground.

With the win the Falcons swept the series with the Buccaneers and maintained a one game lead in the NFC South over the defending Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints.

The Buccaneers, who donned their creamcicle throwback jerseys, fell to 7-5 and third place in the division. Coach John McKay, father of Falcons president Rich McKay, was inducted into the Buccaneers ring of honor.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.