Week 16 begins with an NFC South showdown between the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6). Although the Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention, they can still play spoiler for a Bucs team fighting for the division title with the Carolina Panthers (7-6).
It’s been a tough season for Atlanta, with Michael Penix Jr. suffering a season-ending injury and having to go back to veteran Kirk Cousins, whom they benched in favor of Penix. The Falcons are 1-3 with Cousins starting this season and aim to cause some chaos within the division down the stretch. Atlanta has lost seven of its last nine games and was crushed by Seattle last week, 37-9. Cousins threw two interceptions and completed 50% of his passes in the loss, while Bijan Robinson rushed for 86 yards.
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Tampa Bay hit a rough patch after opening the season 6-2. Many praised quarterback Baker Mayfield as an MVP candidate despite numerous injuries on offense. However, since the bye week, the Bucs are 1-4 and now find themselves fighting with the Panthers for the division, while Mayfield works through a shoulder injury. Tampa needs a win this week to build momentum heading into Week 16 against Carolina.
Falcons-Buccaneers start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium | Tampa Bay, Florida
TV channel: Amazon Prime Video, NFL+
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons kick off Week 15 on “Thursday Night Football.”
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Mike Evans keeps doing Mike Evans things in his return from a broken collarbone. He’s up to five catches for 122 yards after hauling in another jump ball.
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And now the Falcons are punting in Tampa Bay territory. This game has been so winnable for them and it’s been mistake after mistake.
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Before that, Bijan Robinson did this.
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Oh no David Sills V. The Falcons wideout was completely open after a Bucs DB fell down and he straight-up drops the pass from Kirk Cousins. That could have been an easy 6.
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Baker Mayfield hits Devin Culp for the first TD by a Bucs tight end this season. The Falcons gave them so much help on that drive.
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The Falcons bail out the Buccaneers with their 13th penalty to give them first-and-goal. Unbelievable.
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Mike Evans is back, in vintage form. He just big-brothered Cobee Bryant on a jump ball for a 45-yard gain.
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The Falcons commit their 11th penalty, then come up short on 3rd-and-14. Here comes the punt team.
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We’re back for the second half, which the Falcons open with a 16-yard pass to Bijan Robinson.
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Baker Mayfield: 9-for-19, 145 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Kirk Cousins: 12-for-16, 156 yards 2 TD, 0 INT
Kyle Pitts: 6 catches, 111 yards, 2 TDs on 6 targets
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Chase McLaughlin closes the first half with a 52 yard field goal, continuing a perfect 10-for-10 run this season from at least 50 yards out.
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The Buccaneers were at their own 26 with 33 seconds. Then a 15-yard penalty on Dee Alford. Then a 33-yard pass to Mike Evans. Now they’re at the Falcons’ 26.
