The Falcons now stand at 3-8 for the season following a 35-22 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) on Sunday.
Atlanta was coming off two divisional wins since their bye week and came into the game with all the momentum. The Falcons got off to a strong start, but Tampa Bay's defense came more than prepared holding the Falcons to 337 yards on offense and 57 yards on the ground.
Here are the main takeaways from the Falcons-Buccaneers game:
Julio Jones passes Calvin Johnson on all-time receivers list
After Matt Ryan connected with Julio Jones for a 31-yard reception, that is when the ninth-year receiver passed Calvin Johnson the all-time wide receivers list. Jones only needed seven yards to pass Johnson as he came into the game with 11,613 yards. Through 10 games played, Jones totaled 59 catches for 882 yards and four touchdowns.
For more on Julio Jones making history against the Buccaneers, click here.
Desmond Trufant on loss to Buccaneers
Prior to Sunday's game, the Falcons did not surrender a touchdown in 10 quarters. Following Chris Godwin's 71-yard touchdown catch, the Falcons defensive streak ended and spent the remainder of the game trailing Tampa Bay. Following the game, Desmond Trufant addressed the media saying, "I think we just didn't make the plays we've usually been making." In the game, Trufant caught the first interception thrown by Winston, which was his fourth of the season.
For more coverage on Desmond Trufant's quotes following the loss to the Buccaneers, click here.
Matt Ryan sacked a season-high six times
Heading into the game, the Falcons offensive line only allowed four sacks in their previous wins against the Saints and Panthers. Despite being sacked six times in the game, Matt Ryan finished with 271 yards passing, completed 23 of his 46 passes and threw an interception. After the game, Ryan discussed the game saying,"They did an excellent job today getting after us. We weren't able to kind of get into any rhythm. We had some opportunities, too. We had our chances early in that game to make it a different type of game. We weren't able to do that."
For more coverage on the Falcons offensive struggles from the game, click here.
Tabeek: For all intents and purposes, the Falcons' season is over
With only five games left on the schedule, the Falcons chances of playoff hopes have ended following the loss to Tampa Bay. The Falcons had a great sense of hope after knocking off two division foes following their bye week. After the loss to the Buccaneers, Atlanta's chances to a winning record has tumbled and there are still questions that need to be answered on this 3-8 Falcons team.
To read Matt Tabeek's column on the Falcons season, click here.
Other notable performances:
- Wide receiver Calvin Ridley led the receiving corps in yards after reeling in six catches for 85 yards.
- Damontae Kazee, Deion Jones and Ricardo Allen led the defense in tackles as he racked up nine total.
- De'Vondre Campbell was the second leader in tackles with eight total. Campbell also had an interception in the game, which is his second pick of the season.
- Desmond Trufant came away with three tackles and one pick in the game. Trufant now has four interceptions for the season.
For those who want further analysis of Sunday's game between the Falcons and Buccaneers, check out an archive of our live blog below.
Get an inside look at Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers with top photos from the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Fred Daniels/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the interior of Mercedes Benz Stadium, are shown before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
A view of the field goal post is shown with the military ribbon and Falcons logo before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn meets with military members before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons Arthur M Blank poses for a photo with members of the military before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
Arthur M Blank talks with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 wears cleats honoring fallen soldiers before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 warms up before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 wears stickers with the initials of the fallen military members before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 runs out onto the field before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Fred Daniels/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 runs carries the ball during the first quarter between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 runs the ball during the first quarter between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 runs the ball during the first quarter between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 runs the ball after making an interception during the first quarter during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 celebrates after making an interception during the first quarter during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 intercepts the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Lynn Bass/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn reacts after wide receiver Julio Jones #11 makes a 31-yard reception during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 jumps into the end zone to score a touchdown during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 hands the ball off to running back Qadree Ollison #30 for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Dakota Williams/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 carries during the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Dakota Williams/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn #99 in action during the first quarter between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 carries the ball during the first quarter between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell #59 celebrates after making an interception during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 hands the ball off to running back Brian Hill #23 during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 makes a tackle during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Fred Daniels/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn with linebacker Deion Jones #45 during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Fred Daniels/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 celebrates with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 drops back in the pocket during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by AJ Reynolds/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 celebrates after making an interception during the gamebtw\ at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on from the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Fred Daniels/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman #41 recovers a blocked kick during the third quarter during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman #41 recovers a blocked kick during the third quarter during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on from the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Fred Daniels/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley #98 looks on during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Dakota Williams/Atlanta Falcons)
Members of the military run out onto the field before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman #41 recovers a blocked kick during the third quarter during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman #41 in action after recovering a blocked kick at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 carries the ball during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 gestures during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 exits the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a shoulder injury at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Dakota Williams/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn reacts on the sideline during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 gestures during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 hikes the ball during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Adler Garfield/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews #70 makes a block during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 carries the ball during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneerscat Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner #91 makes a tackle during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 celebrates after breaking up a pass during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen #37 tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones #27 during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 throws the ball during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub #8 in action during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Sunday November 24, 2019. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
