To start the final game of the 2018 season, the Buccaneers were on offense. Though that is usually their preference, they couldn’t get anything going on the first series. An overthrow by quarterback Jameis Winston, a short run by running back Peyton Barber and a missed connection with wide receiver Chris Godwin led to the first punt of the game.

Thankfully for the Buccaneers, the Falcons couldn’t get too much going themselves on their first possession. Quarterback Matt Ryan and Atlanta’s offense did manage to move the ball 26 yards on seven plays, but that ended in a punt, as well.

Following the back-to-back punts, the Bucs offense heated up. Winston hit wide receiver Mike Evans for 19 yards on his first catch of the day, which gave Evans the record for the most receiving yards in a single season in franchise history. After a few more decent runs and passes, Winston once again looked Evans’ way, this time in the end zone, and this time for six points. That gave the Bucs their first lead of the game at 7-0.

After the Bucs initial touchdown, the game slowed down for a bit. There would be three straight punts, two for the Falcons and one for the Buccaneers. After that the Bucs were able to get a field goal in there and extend their lead to 10-0, but to follow that there were another three consecutive punts.

This brought us near the end of first half. On the Bucs next possession, it only took them 56 seconds to score the ball thanks to a 25-yard catch and a 30-yard catch by Godwin, which ended in another six points. The Bucs extended their lead to 17-0.

The Falcons responded with a touchdown of their own to end the half, and that brought the score to 17-7.

The Falcons received the ball to open up the half and began that half with the most methodical drive they had all day. On a 14-play, 75-yard drive, the Falcons marched all the way into Buccaneers territory to make this a one-score game by running the “Philly Special” where wide receiver Mohammed Sanu tossed a touchdown pass to quarterback Matt Ryan. That brought the game to a score of 17-14.

The Bucs responded with a nice drive that ended in a field goal, but the Falcons responded with a field goal drive on their own. This brought the back-and-forth chess match to a score of 20-17.

On the Bucs next possession, however, they didn’t keep serve with the scoring. After looking Evans’ way late, Winston threw a pass that was deflected by the defender and intercepted by Atlanta. A few plays after, Falcons running back Tevin Coleman was running into the end zone to give the Falcons their first lead of the game at 24-20.

Following a three and out by the Buccaneers on their next possession, the Falcons executed a 75-yard, 7-play drive that once again ended in six points. After the made PAT, the Falcons extended their lead even further to 31-20.

With their backs against the wall, the Bucs knew they needed points. The drive started off bleak with no much going for them and what appeared to be a sack on third down, but a defensive hold penalty gave them a first down a new life. After two big passes to tight end Cameron Brate, Winston then found Evans in the back of the end zone for his second score of the game to bring the score to 31-26. After that, the Bucs tried to go for two points to make it a three-point game, but failed the conversion, so 31-26 it remained.

The Falcons took over with working the clock and getting into field goal range as their main missions. They started to do that, but a bad decision by Ryan and an interception by Bucs safety Andrew Adams spoiled that. Two plays later, the Bucs were celebrating points of their own with a Chris Godwin touchdown. After going for two again, this time to put them up three, the Bucs failed their attempt once again, bringing the score to 32-21 in favor of the Buccaneers.

Down one, the Falcons got the ball with five minutes left in the game. It was an even mix of run and pass for the Falcons to get into field goal range, but an unnecessary roughness penalty on Julio Jones took them back on the edge and outside of field goal range. But just as Jones took it away, Jones is how they got back into field goal range with a 15-yard catch.

And that’s all they needed, as a short, game-winning field goal from Matt Bryant gave the Falcons the 34-32 victory, and the Bucs finished their season 5-11.