Sunday's contest between the Falcons and Buccaneers is expected to be a close, hard-fought affair between two division rivals. This was certainly the case during our first Madden 17 simulation of the year, as the pair of NFC South foes engaged in a nail-biter that, ultimately, resulted in a heartbreaking loss for Atlanta.
A Jameis Winston touchdown pass with 1:03 left in the fourth gave the Bucs a 13-10 advantage, but on the following possession, Matt Ryan led the Falcons on one of his signature last-minute drives — a 62-yard march — to set up a game-tying field goal from Matt Bryant.
Tampa Bay won the ensuing coin toss, however, and scored a touchdown five plays later to seal a 19-13 victory.
Top Falcons Performers
Matt Ryan: 20/21, 195 passing yards, 1 TD, 121.2 QB rating
Julio Jones: 4 catches, 74 receiving yards
Mohamed Sanu: 4 catches, 48 receiving yards
Deion Jones: 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Vic Beasley Jr.: 3 tackles, two tackles for loss
Plays of the Game
With eight seconds remaining in the second quarter, Ryan fired a one-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hardy, giving the Falcons a lead at the half.
#Madden17: Matt Ryan to Justin Hardy for the touchdown. #TBvsATL pic.twitter.com/BwcaGmtein — Andrew Hirsh (@andrewhirsh) September 7, 2016
In need of three points to send the game to OT, Ryan stepped up in the pocket and found an open Julio Jones over the middle. The Pro Bowl WR gained 26 yards on the play and brought Atlanta into Bryant's range.
#Madden17: Julio Jones with a 26-yard catch. #TBvsATL pic.twitter.com/KkAlYs09Pm — Andrew Hirsh (@andrewhirsh) September 7, 2016
