After starting their home slate with back-to-back losses and dropping to 2-2 on the season, the Bucs returned to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon to host the Falcons with the NFC South lead on the line. It was a chance for Tampa Bay to get back on the right track ahead of a two-game road trip. And the team did just that, rolling to a 21-0 lead before holding on late for a 21-15 win over Atlanta.

The Bucs and Falcons both traded scoreless possessions to start the game, with a key fourth-down failure from Tampa Bay’s offense keeping Atlanta in it. But finally, the home team broke through early in the second quarter. Rachaad White was involved early and often on the drive, then Mike Evans made a spectacular 25-yard catch on 3rd & 3 to get the Bucs in scoring position. After a screen pass to Chris Godwin got them down to the 1-yard line, Leonard Fournette punched the ball in for his first rushing score of the season. The touchdown capped a 13-play, 88-yard drive that took 5:21 off the clock.

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Todd Bowles’ defense bent at times in the first half, but it continued to stand strong when it mattered. After the Bucs’ touchdown, the defense got off the field on a third down thanks to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who after notching his first sack of the season in the first quarter, pressured Marcus Mariota into an incompletion. Tampa Bay’s offense kept the momentum going, driving 84 yards in 13 plays before stalling and settling for a 21-yard field goal by Ryan Succop. Nonetheless, the lead was at 10-0 with 1:18 to go in the first half.

One of the game’s key sequences then came near the end of the first half. The Falcons were driving and looking for some points, which would give them a chance to double up after halftime. Instead, a key drop followed by an Antoine Winfield Jr. sack set the offense back. Younghoe Koo eventually came on to attempt a 52-yard field goal, but his kick went wide and the Bucs’ lead remained 10-0.

Taking advantage of good field position with 20 seconds left in the half, Brady found Fournette for gains of 11 and 21. That set up a 44-yard field goal for Succop, who gave Tampa Bay a 13-0 lead heading into halftime. The score after 30 minutes was deceiving, as the Bucs dominated in terms of first downs (17-7), plays (44-27), yards (297-89), yards per play (6.8-3.3) and time of possession (17:29-12:31).

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay kept at it to start the third quarter. A Devin White tackle for loss paired with a Deadrin Senat sack killed Atlanta’s opening drive. Brady continued to find Fournette in the passing game, then he hit a big gain to Evans. They connected for 40 yards, getting down to the goal line once again. On the next play, Brady threw a one-yard touchdown to Fournette. With a two-point conversion pass to Russell Gage, Brady put the Bucs up 21-0 more than halfway through the third quarter.

Atlanta finally got on the board early in the fourth quarter. After a 28-yard punt return and a 22-yard run by Caleb Huntley, the Falcons threatened in the red zone. A couple of runs by Tyler Allgeier set up an eight-yard rushing score by Avery Williams. With Koo’s PAT, the Falcons got within 21-7 with 13:39 to go.

The Buccaneer offense couldn’t quite put the game away, twice going three-and-out in the fourth quarter. That gave the Falcons a couple of chances to get within one possession. On their second chance, they did exactly that. A 12-play, 70-yard drive in 5:11 ended with Mariota finding Olamide Zaccheaus for a 19-yard touchdown with 4:38 to go. Atlanta converted on the two-point conversion as well, getting within 21-15.

Tampa Bay got the ball back at its own 25, needing to kill the game. Fournette broke off a 12-yard run for one first down, then a holding penalty against A.J. Terrell gave the offense another. Brady was later sacked on a third down by Grady Jarrett, but a questionable roughing the passer call moved the chains again. A short while later, the 45-year-old connected with Evans for a first down to put the game away.

Brady finished the game 35-of-52 for 351 yards and a touchdown. His primary target was Fournette, who caught 10 passes for 83 yards and a score. Rookie tight end Cade Otton was a key contributor with Cameron Brate sidelined, catching six passes for 43 yards. Chris Godwin had six catches of his own, going for 61 yards. And, of course, Mike Evans was a factor, hauling in four passes for 81 yards.

Defensively, Tampa Bay got back to what it did well in the first three games. The unit tallied five sacks, with Tryon-Shoyinka, Winfield, Senat, Vita Vea and Logan Hall picking up one each. Winfield was the the team’s leading tackler, racking up eight (two for loss). Hall had two tackles for loss as well, continuing his impressive run of play.

The Bucs (3-2) now lead the NFC South and will hit the road next week to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.