Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats

The tampa bay buccaneers vs atlanta falcons match player stats from September 7, 2025 tell the story of a close NFC South battle that Tampa Bay ultimately won 23-20. The final score was tight, but the individual numbers reveal a much more detailed picture. Atlanta produced more total offense, more passing yards, more first downs, and more time of possession. Tampa Bay, however, converted its most important opportunities into touchdowns and made enough plays late in the game to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a road victory.

Baker Mayfield finished with 167 passing yards and three touchdown passes, while rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka became one of the defining players of the afternoon with four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. produced 298 passing yards, almost twice Mayfield’s yardage total, and Bijan Robinson contributed 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.

That contrast is what makes this box score particularly interesting. The team with more yardage did not win. The team with the higher completion percentage did not win. Atlanta also controlled possession for 35:12 compared with Tampa Bay’s 24:48. Yet Tampa Bay finished with 23 points to Atlanta’s 20.

For anyone studying tampa bay buccaneers vs atlanta falcons match player stats, this game is a useful example of why individual statistics need context. Passing volume, rushing efficiency, red-zone execution, turnovers, field position, and late-game performance all contributed to the final result.

Table of Contents

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats: Game Overview

The game was played on September 7, 2025, with Tampa Bay entering the contest on the road and Atlanta opening its season at home. Tampa Bay won 23-20, moving to 1-0 while Atlanta started 0-1.

The quarter-by-quarter scoring shows how competitive the game remained:

Quarter	Tampa Bay	Atlanta
1st	0	7
2nd	10	3
3rd	7	3
4th	6	7
Final	23	20

Atlanta opened the scoring with a touchdown, but Tampa Bay responded with 10 points in the second quarter. The Buccaneers extended their lead in the third quarter before Atlanta rallied in the fourth.

The Falcons eventually moved ahead 20-17 after Michael Penix Jr. scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown. Tampa Bay then answered with a late touchdown pass from Mayfield to Egbuka, putting the Buccaneers ahead 23-20 with less than a minute remaining.

The official ESPN game record confirms the 23-20 final score and the major team-level statistical differences between the clubs. ESPN box score and game statistics

Baker Mayfield Passing Performance

Baker Mayfield’s passing line was:

17 completions
32 attempts
167 passing yards
5.2 yards per attempt
3 touchdowns
0 interceptions
1 sack for 8 yards
88.3 QBR
99.3 passer rating

On the surface, 167 passing yards is not an especially large total. Mayfield completed only 17 of 32 attempts, giving him a completion rate of 53.1 percent.

But the touchdown production changed the value of those passing yards.

Mayfield threw three touchdown passes without an interception. That means Tampa Bay repeatedly converted important passing opportunities into points even though the overall passing volume was modest.

His performance also included 39 rushing yards on five carries. That matters because the Falcons were not facing a quarterback who remained exclusively in the pocket.

The most important part of Mayfield’s afternoon came late. With Atlanta leading 20-17, Tampa Bay needed a scoring drive rather than simply accumulating yards. Mayfield completed the decisive touchdown pass to Egbuka, producing the final six points of the game.

Mayfield’s Efficiency Versus Volume

One useful way to interpret the quarterback comparison is to separate volume from scoring efficiency.

Penix threw 42 passes and completed 27. Mayfield attempted 32 and completed 17.

That gave Atlanta 10 more completions and 131 more passing yards. Yet Mayfield had two more touchdown passes.

This does not mean one statistical category explains the entire game. Instead, it shows why quarterback evaluation should combine passing volume with scoring output and turnovers.

Mayfield’s 0 interceptions were especially important. Atlanta also avoided throwing an interception, so neither team received a turnover advantage through the passing game.

Michael Penix Jr. Passing Performance

Michael Penix Jr. delivered the larger passing workload.

His reported line was:

27 completions
42 attempts
298 passing yards
7.1 yards per attempt
1 touchdown
0 interceptions
1 sack for 9 yards
83.1 QBR
93.2 passer rating

Penix completed 64.3 percent of his passes and averaged 7.1 yards per attempt. His 298 passing yards represented the biggest passing total in the game.

The Falcons’ passing attack therefore generated considerable production.

The challenge for Atlanta was that the passing production did not translate into enough touchdowns. The Falcons scored 20 points despite gaining 358 total yards.

That distinction is important when analyzing the tampa bay buccaneers vs atlanta falcons match player stats. Atlanta’s offense was not shut down. Instead, the Falcons accumulated substantial yardage without matching Tampa Bay’s touchdown output.

Penix also contributed 21 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on six carries. His fourth-quarter rushing touchdown temporarily put Atlanta ahead 20-17.

Emeka Egbuka Emerges as a Major Factor

Emeka Egbuka was one of the most important individual players in the game.

His receiving numbers were:

4 receptions
67 yards
16.8 yards per reception
2 touchdowns
30-yard longest reception
6 targets

The most significant number is obviously the two touchdowns.

Egbuka caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield in the second quarter. Later, he caught the 25-yard touchdown that gave Tampa Bay its decisive 23-20 lead.

That means two of his four receptions directly produced touchdowns.

From a statistical perspective, this is an excellent example of why reception totals alone can be misleading. Egbuka did not lead Tampa Bay in receptions. He did not lead the team in receiving yards either. Mike Evans had five catches for 51 yards.

Yet Egbuka’s four receptions were responsible for two of Tampa Bay’s three passing touchdowns.

The distribution of Tampa Bay’s receiving production was:

Player	Receptions	Yards	TDs	Targets
Emeka Egbuka	4	67	2	6
Mike Evans	5	51	0	8
Sterling Shepard	3	39	0	6
Bucky Irving	4	8	1	4
Rachaad White	1	2	0	1

This distribution shows a balanced target structure, but Egbuka had the largest scoring impact.

Mike Evans Provides Consistent Production

Mike Evans recorded five receptions for 51 yards on eight targets.

His 10.2 yards per reception average was lower than Egbuka’s 16.8, but Evans was Tampa Bay’s most productive receiver by reception count and target volume.

Five catches gave him the highest reception total on the Buccaneers.

This is another useful reminder that the player with the biggest raw receiving workload does not necessarily produce the most touchdowns.

Evans helped keep Tampa Bay’s passing attack functional across the game, while Egbuka supplied the explosive scoring plays.

Sterling Shepard’s Contribution

Sterling Shepard finished with:

3 receptions
39 yards
13.0 yards per reception
6 targets
19-yard longest reception

His 13.0-yard average was solid, particularly considering the Buccaneers had a relatively modest overall passing total.

Shepard was part of the middle layer of Tampa Bay’s passing attack. He did not score, but his yardage helped Mayfield distribute the ball rather than relying on one receiver.

Bucky Irving’s Dual-Threat Role

Bucky Irving contributed both as a runner and receiver.

On the ground, he carried the ball 14 times for 37 yards, averaging 2.6 yards per carry.

As a receiver, he caught four passes for eight yards and one touchdown.

His rushing efficiency was limited, but his receiving touchdown added important value. The touchdown came on a nine-yard reception from Mayfield in the third quarter.

Irving’s numbers show why a player’s impact cannot always be judged by rushing average alone. His 37 rushing yards were not spectacular, but he added a touchdown through the passing game.

Tampa Bay’s Rushing Numbers

The Buccaneers finished with 23 rushing attempts for 101 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

Their rushing production was distributed across several players:

Player	Carries	Yards	Average	Long
Baker Mayfield	5	39	7.8	20
Bucky Irving	14	37	2.6	9
Rachaad White	2	14	7.0	11
Emeka Egbuka	1	9	9.0	9
Sean Tucker	1	2	2.0	2

Mayfield was Tampa Bay’s leading rusher with 39 yards.

That is significant because his rushing production gave the offense another way to create yardage when passing opportunities were not available.

Tampa Bay’s rushing attack averaged 4.4 yards per carry overall, while Atlanta averaged only 2.5 yards per carry.

That difference helped compensate for Tampa Bay’s passing-yardage deficit.

Atlanta’s Rushing Attack

Atlanta ran the ball 28 times for 69 yards, averaging only 2.5 yards per carry.

The leading rushers were:

Tyler Allgeier: 10 carries, 24 yards
Bijan Robinson: 12 carries, 24 yards
Michael Penix Jr.: 6 carries, 21 yards and 1 touchdown

Neither Allgeier nor Robinson averaged more than 2.4 yards per carry.

Penix was the only Atlanta player to score a rushing touchdown.

The overall rushing efficiency is one of the clearest areas where the teams differed. Atlanta had five more rushing attempts than Tampa Bay but gained 32 fewer rushing yards.

This meant that Atlanta’s larger time-of-possession advantage did not automatically produce superior offensive efficiency.

Bijan Robinson’s Receiving Performance

Bijan Robinson was Atlanta’s most productive receiver by yardage.

He finished with:

6 receptions
100 yards
16.7 yards per reception
1 touchdown
50-yard longest reception
7 targets

The 100 receiving yards were particularly notable because Robinson also carried the ball 12 times for 24 yards.

His 50-yard reception produced a major chunk of Atlanta’s offensive output.

This is a classic example of a dual-role running back affecting a game through the air. Atlanta struggled to run the ball efficiently, but Robinson still created a major offensive gain as a receiver.

His touchdown also accounted for Atlanta’s first score of the game.

Atlanta’s Receiving Distribution

The Falcons had 27 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown.

Their receiving production was distributed among several players:

Player	Receptions	Yards	Average	TDs	Targets
Bijan Robinson	6	100	16.7	1	7
Kyle Pitts Sr.	7	59	8.4	0	8
Drake London	8	55	6.9	0	15
Ray-Ray McCloud III	3	51	17.0	0	5
Casey Washington	3	33	11.0	0	6
KhaDarel Hodge	0	0	0.0	0	1

Drake London led Atlanta in receptions with eight and targets with 15.

Kyle Pitts Sr. followed with seven receptions on eight targets.

Robinson, however, led the group in receiving yardage and was the only Atlanta receiver listed with a receiving touchdown.

The target distribution suggests that Penix had several active options. The Falcons did not depend on a single receiver for every passing situation.

Drake London Sees Heavy Volume

Drake London recorded eight receptions for 55 yards on 15 targets.

The 15 targets were the highest total for any Atlanta player.

His 55 yards produced a 6.9-yard average per reception.

From an analytical standpoint, London’s target total is important because it shows how frequently Atlanta looked in his direction even though his yardage total was not the highest on the team.

Target volume and yardage tell different stories.

A player can receive heavy usage without producing explosive gains on every opportunity. London’s numbers fit that pattern in this particular game.

Kyle Pitts Sr. Adds Seven Receptions

Kyle Pitts Sr. caught seven passes for 59 yards on eight targets.

His 8.4 yards per reception average was higher than London’s 6.9, although he received significantly fewer targets.

Pitts gave Penix another reliable receiving option, helping Atlanta produce 298 passing yards.

The Falcons therefore had three players with at least seven receptions or 100 receiving yards combined across the receiving group, showing how broadly the passing game was distributed.

Comparing the Quarterbacks Directly

A direct comparison makes the contrast especially clear:

Statistic	Baker Mayfield	Michael Penix Jr.
Completions	17	27
Attempts	32	42
Completion Rate	53.1%	64.3%
Passing Yards	167	298
Yards/Attempt	5.2	7.1
TD Passes	3	1
INTs	0	0
Sacks	1	1
QBR	88.3	83.1
Passer Rating	99.3	93.2
Rushing Yards	39	21
Rushing TDs	0	1

Penix had the stronger statistical passing volume.

Mayfield produced more passing touchdowns.

Penix also contributed a rushing touchdown, but Tampa Bay’s three passing touchdowns ultimately helped the Buccaneers reach 23 points.

This is why a quarterback comparison should not focus on passing yards alone.

Total Offensive Production

Atlanta gained more total yards:

Tampa Bay: 260 total yards
Atlanta: 358 total yards

Atlanta also ran 71 offensive plays compared with Tampa Bay’s 56.

The Falcons averaged 5.0 yards per play, while Tampa Bay averaged 4.6.

Those numbers make Tampa Bay’s victory more interesting because the Buccaneers did not win through superior total offensive production.

Instead, Tampa Bay scored more efficiently.

The Buccaneers scored 23 points on 260 yards. Atlanta scored 20 points on 358 yards.

That means Tampa Bay produced more points per total yard in this game.

This is not a universal measure of offensive quality, but it is useful for understanding this particular result.

First Downs and Third-Down Efficiency

Atlanta recorded 23 first downs compared with Tampa Bay’s 16.

The Falcons had:

16 passing first downs
4 rushing first downs
3 first downs from penalties

Tampa Bay recorded:

10 passing first downs
5 rushing first downs
1 first down from a penalty

Atlanta also converted 6 of 15 third downs, while Tampa Bay converted 7 of 14.

That gives Tampa Bay a 50 percent third-down conversion rate compared with Atlanta’s 40 percent.

The difference is subtle but important.

Atlanta generated more first downs overall, but Tampa Bay was slightly more efficient on third down.

Fourth-Down Execution

Fourth-down results also contributed to the game’s context.

Tampa Bay converted its only fourth-down attempt.

Atlanta converted three of four fourth-down attempts.

The Falcons therefore maintained several drives by successfully converting fourth downs.

That helps explain their 35:12 time-of-possession advantage.

However, fourth-down success did not automatically translate into victory because Tampa Bay still produced more touchdowns.

Red-Zone Results

Red-zone performance is one of the clearest statistical explanations for the final score.

Tampa Bay went 1-for-1 in the red zone.

Atlanta went 1-for-2.

The Buccaneers scored a touchdown on their lone recorded red-zone opportunity, while Atlanta failed to convert one of its two opportunities into a touchdown.

This matters because the overall yardage numbers favored Atlanta.

The Falcons had the ball more and moved it more consistently, but Tampa Bay was able to turn critical scoring opportunities into touchdowns.

Turnovers and Ball Security

Neither team threw an interception.

Tampa Bay recorded no fumbles.

Atlanta had one fumble by Michael Penix Jr., but it was not lost.

Bijan Robinson was credited with the recovery.

Therefore, neither side suffered a lost turnover.

This is important because Tampa Bay did not win because of a major turnover differential.

Both teams finished with zero turnovers lost.

The game instead came down to offensive execution, field position, scoring efficiency, and late-game plays.

Defensive Statistical Comparison

Tampa Bay’s defense recorded:

77 total tackles
43 solo tackles
1 sack
7 tackles for loss
6 pass defenses
4 quarterback hits

Atlanta’s defense recorded:

53 total tackles
28 solo tackles
1 sack
2 tackles for loss
7 pass defenses
3 quarterback hits

Tampa Bay recorded more total tackles and tackles for loss.

Atlanta recorded one more pass defense.

Both defenses registered one sack.

The numbers indicate that Tampa Bay’s defense was involved heavily in limiting Atlanta’s rushing effectiveness, even though the Falcons still generated substantial passing yardage.

Special Teams Impact

Special teams can easily disappear from a basic box-score review, but several numbers stand out.

Tampa Bay’s Sean Tucker returned three kickoffs for 81 yards, averaging 27.0 yards per return.

Kameron Johnson had one punt return for 54 yards.

That 54-yard punt return was Tampa Bay’s biggest special teams return of the game.

Atlanta’s kick-return unit produced 125 yards on five returns.

Natrone Brooks had three returns for 68 yards, while Jamal Agnew added two returns for 57 yards.

Agnew also returned two punts for 29 yards.

The Falcons therefore produced useful return yardage, but neither team scored a special teams touchdown.

Kicking Comparison

Chase McLaughlin went 1-for-2 on field goals, with a long of 48 yards, and converted two of three extra-point attempts.

He scored five points.

Younghoe Koo went 2-for-3 on field goals, with a long of 41 yards, and converted both extra points.

He scored eight points.

Koo’s kicking numbers were more productive individually, but Tampa Bay’s touchdown production gave the Buccaneers the advantage on the scoreboard.

This is another example of why a player can have better kicking statistics while his team still loses.

Punting Comparison

Riley Dixon punted four times for 205 yards, averaging 51.3 yards per punt.

His longest punt traveled 62 yards, and two punts landed inside the 20-yard line.

Bradley Pinion punted three times for 140 yards, averaging 46.7 yards.

His longest punt was 59 yards, with two punts inside the 20.

Dixon therefore had the higher average and longer individual punt.

Both punters recorded two punts inside the 20.

What the Stats Reveal About the Game

The biggest lesson from this matchup is that total yardage did not determine the winner.

Atlanta led in:

Total yards
Passing yards
First downs
Offensive plays
Time of possession
Passing completions
Completion percentage
Fourth-down conversions

Tampa Bay led in:

Final score
Passing touchdowns
Rushing yards
Rushing efficiency
Third-down conversion percentage
Red-zone conversion percentage
Tackles
Tackles for loss

The two statistical profiles were very different.

Atlanta played a higher-volume offensive game. Tampa Bay produced a lower-volume but more touchdown-focused performance.

Why Emeka Egbuka’s Numbers Matter

Egbuka’s four catches for 67 yards might initially look less impressive than Robinson’s 100 receiving yards or Penix’s 298 passing yards.

But the context changes the interpretation.

Egbuka caught two touchdowns, including the late touchdown that put Tampa Bay ahead.

His average reception produced 16.8 yards.

He was targeted six times and scored on two of those opportunities.

That means his contribution was heavily concentrated in high-value plays.

For a close game decided by three points, those high-value plays matter considerably.

Why Atlanta’s Passing Volume Was Not Enough

Penix threw 42 passes and completed 27.

The Falcons generated 298 passing yards, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt.

Those are productive passing numbers.

However, Atlanta produced only one passing touchdown.

Robinson’s 50-yard touchdown reception gave the Falcons an early advantage, but Tampa Bay’s defense prevented the passing production from turning into a larger scoring margin.

Atlanta’s offensive profile was therefore productive between the goal lines but less consistent when points were required.

The Importance of Mayfield’s Mobility

Mayfield’s 39 rushing yards were not a minor detail.

He averaged 7.8 yards per carry across five rushing attempts and produced Tampa Bay’s highest rushing total.

The Buccaneers as a team averaged 4.4 yards per carry, while Atlanta averaged only 2.5.

Mayfield’s mobility provided an additional source of offense and helped Tampa Bay reach 101 rushing yards despite having only 23 rushing attempts.

For quarterback analysis, rushing contribution is increasingly important because it can extend drives, create first downs, and force defensive adjustments.

How to Read This Box Score Like an Analyst

When examining tampa bay buccaneers vs atlanta falcons match player stats, a useful process is to move beyond the biggest numbers.

Start with the final score, then compare:

Passing efficiency
Rushing efficiency
Third-down conversion
Red-zone performance
Turnovers
Explosive plays
Time of possession
Scoring distribution
Special teams
Fourth-quarter execution

This approach prevents one statistic from dominating the analysis.

For example, Atlanta’s 358 total yards could lead to the assumption that the Falcons controlled the game. They did control many statistical categories, but Tampa Bay’s touchdown production and late-game execution produced the victory.

The Most Important Individual Numbers

Several individual performances deserve attention.

Baker Mayfield

Mayfield finished with 167 passing yards, three touchdown passes, no interceptions, and 39 rushing yards.

His value came from scoring efficiency rather than volume.

Michael Penix Jr.

Penix recorded 298 passing yards and one passing touchdown, while also rushing for 21 yards and a touchdown.

His passing volume was one of the strongest statistical features of Atlanta’s offense.

Emeka Egbuka

Egbuka caught four passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

His late touchdown became the decisive scoring play.

Bijan Robinson

Robinson recorded 24 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards.

His 100 receiving yards led Atlanta and included a 50-yard touchdown.

Mike Evans

Evans caught five passes for 51 yards on eight targets.

He provided Tampa Bay with its highest reception total.

Drake London

London caught eight passes for 55 yards on 15 targets.

His 15 targets led all Atlanta receivers.

What the Matchup Says About Offensive Balance

Neither team displayed perfect offensive balance.

Tampa Bay had more efficient rushing numbers but relatively modest passing production.

Atlanta had much greater passing volume but struggled to establish an efficient ground game.

The Buccaneers averaged 4.4 yards per rush.

The Falcons averaged 2.5.

Meanwhile, Atlanta averaged 7.1 yards per pass attempt compared with Tampa Bay’s 5.2.

These numbers show two different offensive approaches.

Tampa Bay found enough explosive scoring plays through Mayfield and Egbuka while using quarterback rushing production to supplement the ground game.

Atlanta leaned more heavily on its passing attack.

A Closer Look at Possession Versus Production

Atlanta held the ball for 35 minutes and 12 seconds.

Tampa Bay possessed it for 24 minutes and 48 seconds.

That is a difference of 10 minutes and 24 seconds.

Normally, a large possession advantage can help a team control a game.

But possession only matters when drives produce useful outcomes.

Atlanta’s longer drives produced 20 points.

Tampa Bay’s shorter possession total produced 23 points.

This does not mean time of possession is unimportant. It means possession must be evaluated alongside points, yards per play, third-down performance, and red-zone execution.

Final Statistical Takeaways

The tampa bay buccaneers vs atlanta falcons match player stats show a game that cannot be properly explained by one headline statistic.

Tampa Bay won 23-20 despite producing fewer total yards.

Atlanta gained 358 yards compared with Tampa Bay’s 260.

Penix threw for 298 yards, while Mayfield threw for 167.

Atlanta recorded 23 first downs compared with Tampa Bay’s 16.

The Falcons also held a significant time-of-possession advantage.

Yet Tampa Bay scored three passing touchdowns compared with Atlanta’s one.

The Buccaneers also ran more efficiently, averaging 4.4 yards per carry compared with Atlanta’s 2.5.

Mayfield added 39 rushing yards, while Egbuka caught two touchdown passes.

Robinson was Atlanta’s most productive receiver with 100 yards and one touchdown, while London led the Falcons in receptions and targets.

Neither team lost a turnover.

The final result therefore came down less to overall statistical dominance and more to how each team converted its opportunities into points.

For readers reviewing player statistics, that is the central lesson from this matchup. A box score is most useful when the numbers are connected to game situations.

The Buccaneers did not need to win the yardage battle. They needed to score enough points, avoid turnovers, convert key opportunities, and make the decisive play when the game reached its final minute.

They accomplished that with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Egbuka, turning a 20-17 deficit into a 23-20 victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between the Buccaneers and Falcons?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 on September 7, 2025.

Who was the leading passer in the game?

Michael Penix Jr. led all passers with 298 yards on 27 completions from 42 attempts. Baker Mayfield threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns.

Who led the Buccaneers in receiving?

Emeka Egbuka recorded 67 receiving yards and two touchdowns on four receptions. Mike Evans led Tampa Bay with five receptions.

Who led the Falcons in receiving?

Bijan Robinson led Atlanta with 100 receiving yards and one touchdown. He caught six passes, including a 50-yard touchdown reception.

How many rushing yards did each team have?

Tampa Bay rushed for 101 yards on 23 attempts, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Atlanta rushed for 69 yards on 28 attempts, averaging 2.5 yards per carry.

Did either team throw an interception?

No. Baker Mayfield and Michael Penix Jr. both finished with zero interceptions.

Conclusion

The tampa bay buccaneers vs atlanta falcons match player stats from September 7, 2025 provide a detailed example of how a close NFL game can produce very different statistical profiles for the two teams.

Atlanta generated more total offense, more passing yards, more first downs, more offensive plays, and more time of possession. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 298 yards, while Bijan Robinson produced 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Tampa Bay’s advantage came through scoring efficiency and execution. Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes without an interception and added 39 rushing yards. The Buccaneers ran for 101 yards at 4.4 yards per carry, compared with Atlanta’s 69 yards at 2.5 yards per carry.

Emeka Egbuka was particularly important. His four receptions produced 67 yards and two touchdowns, with his second touchdown coming late in the fourth quarter to give Tampa Bay the lead.

The game also demonstrated the value of looking beyond total yardage. Atlanta gained 98 more total yards than Tampa Bay but still finished three points behind. The difference was not turnovers, since neither team lost one. Instead, touchdown production, rushing efficiency, third-down performance, red-zone execution, and late-game execution shaped the final result.

For anyone studying individual performance, the box score is most useful when each number is considered within the larger context of the game. Passing yards show volume. Completion percentage shows accuracy. Rushing averages show efficiency. Receiving totals show production. Touchdowns show scoring impact. Time of possession shows control of the football. None of these numbers should be viewed in isolation.

The final 23-20 score captures the result, but the player statistics explain how Tampa Bay managed to win a game in which Atlanta controlled many of the traditional volume categories.