SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 25, 2012
Falcons 24, Buccaneers 23: Michael Turner had a 3-yard touchdown run with 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter and visiting Atlanta held on to snap Tampa Bay's four-game winning streak.
After four lead changes, the Buccaneers (6-5) gained a 20-17 advantage when rookie Doug Martin made his second 1-yard TD run of the game on the first play of the fourth period. Connor Barth kicked his third field goal of the day - a 48-yarder - with 10:28 remaining to increase the lead to six before Turner put the Falcons (10-1) ahead for good.
Barth, who also connected from 22 and 42 yards out, missed a 56-yard attempt with 3:32 left that would have given Tampa Bay the lead. The Buccaneers got the ball back with eight seconds to play after Matt Bryant's 48-yard field-goal attempt failed, but Josh Freeman's Hail Mary pass went incomplete in the end zone as time expired.
Matt Ryan completed 26 of 32 passes for 353 yards with one TD and one interception for Atlanta, which has had seven of its last eight games decided by no more than a touchdown. Julio Jones had an 80-yard scoring catch and Jacquizz Rodgers ran for a 5-yard TD.
Freeman went 19-of-30 for 256 yards and Martin gained 50 yards on 21 carries for the Buccaneers, who fell four games behind Atlanta in the NFC South with five contests remaining.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Jones, who made six catches for 147 yards, was limited in practice during the week due to a sore right ankle. ... Atlanta LB Sean Weatherspoon returned after missing four games with a sprained right ankle. ... Tampa Bay WR Vincent Jackson had five receptions for 96 yards.