CNN
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Tom Brady capped off a tumultuous week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in high-quality style, snapping the crew’s dropping streak with a 21-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Sunday’s victory wasn’t with out controversy although, as Brady and the Bucs benefited from a controversial roughing-the-passer penalty name late within the sport which allowed them to carry on to the tip.
Main by six factors with simply over three minutes left within the fourth quarter, Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett appeared to have stopped Tampa Bay’s drive with a sack on third down, giving Atlanta the chance to try to take the lead.
Nevertheless, referee Jeremy Boger threw a flag penalizing Jarrett for roughing the passer; Jarrett had wrapped Brady in his arms earlier than rolling to the bottom with Brady.
The decision allowed Brady to retain possession of the ball and run out the clock to seal the victory.
After the sport, Boger mentioned he hadn’t been instructed to maintain a specific eye on tackles to quarterbacks following the incident with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa which has subsequently resulted in modifications to the NFL’s concussion protocol.
“What I had was the defender grabbed the quarterback whereas he was nonetheless within the pocket and unnecessarily throwing him to the bottom,” Boger told pool reporter Greg Auman of the Athletic. “That’s what I used to be making my determination based mostly on.”
Nevertheless, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles mentioned he believed the decision was about extra than simply as a result of it was Brady.
“I noticed that one being known as. I noticed it towards Tua since he obtained it. I noticed it within the London sport this morning,” Bowles mentioned. “So I believe they’re beginning to crack down on a number of the issues, slinging again, I don’t know. Proper now, the best way that they’re calling it, I believe lots of people would have gotten that decision.”
Jarrett refused to speak to the media after the sport – uncommon for one of many Falcons’ longest serving gamers – whereas Brady mentioned: “I don’t throw flags.”
Regardless of Atlanta gamers’ protests, Brady and Bucs had been in a position to shut an vital victory for the crew from Florida, ending the squad’s two-game dropping skid and capping off a tumultuous week for the group.
Having been displaced by Hurricane Ian two weeks in the past, the Bucs had been later emphatically crushed by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at dwelling. Throughout the sport, Brady appeared to have suffered an arm harm – though he downplayed the seriousness of any potential long-term harm afterwards.
However on Sunday, the Bucs seemed way more like themselves, regardless of the late drama and second-half comeback from the Falcons.
Brady threw a landing cross to Leonard Fournette and the working again additionally scored a dashing landing because the Bucs raced right into a 21-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Nevertheless, two late Falcons touchdowns – an eight-yard run from Avery Williams after which a 19-yard cross from Marcus Mariota to Olamide Zaccheaus – introduced the opportunity of a dramatic end.
The controversial roughing-the-passer penalty ended any hopes of a late comeback because the Bucs improved to 3-2 on the season whereas Atlanta slipped to 2-3.
Regardless of the bounce-back victory, Brady wasn’t overawed with the efficiency from the crew. “Clearly, it’s powerful to lose two straight at dwelling, however we didn’t deserve it,” Brady told the media.
“That’s soccer – you’ve obtained to earn it. There’s no straightforward video games; you’ve obtained to play good. Definitely, 5 video games in, we’ve obtained quite a lot of work to do. We’re not practically on the level we’re able to being and we want lots of people to step up.”
The 45-year-old added: “We simply had quite a lot of three-and-outs. We simply weren’t excellent. Unhealthy execution and it simply wasn’t our greatest within the second half. We now have to study from it and get higher.”
