Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2014 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-09-18, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 56–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Glennon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -0.17 total EPA, and +6.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.04 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+6.1% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (13:58) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 42-P.DiMarco to TB 36 for 16 yards (38-D.Goldson).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +20.04 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +14.15 total EPA · 11 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play
3. 3 P. DiMarco · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.07 EPA/play
4. 4 E. Weems · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.97 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Hester · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.80 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.80 EPA/play
6. 6 H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.23 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Hester · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.19 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.19 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Toilolo · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.70 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — H. Douglas (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 57:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 48:11)
• Atlanta Falcons — K. Ishmael (Q1 47:47)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Hester (Q2 45:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Hester (Q2 37:25)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 23:31)
• Atlanta Falcons — S. Jackson (Q3 23:18)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Smith (Q3 17:00)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — V. Jackson (M. Glennon pass) (Q4 8:52)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — D. Lansanah (Q4 7:16)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 21–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 3 (Q1 57:09) — (12:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 83-H.Douglas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 57:03) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 8 (Q1 48:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 48:03) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 89 (Q1 47:47); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 47:38) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 20 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 17-D.Hester left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 44:53) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 94 (Q2 37:25); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 37:06) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 21–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 40 (Q3 23:31) — (8:31) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 23:23) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q3 23:18) — (8:18) 39-S.Jackson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 23:11) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 38 (Q3 17:00) — (2:00) 35-A.Smith left end for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q3 16:47) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 8:52) — (8:52) 8-M.Glennon pass short left to 83-V.Jackson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 8:46) — 7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the TB 78 (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) 13-T.Yates pass short right intended for 15-C.Roby INTERCEPTED by 51-D.Lansanah at ATL 27. 51-D.Lansanah for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 7:07) — 7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:58) — (13:58) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 42-P.DiMarco to TB 36 for 16 yards (38-D.Goldson). [WPA +6.1% · EPA +1.32]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown pass short right to 43-B.Rainey to TB 33 for 13 yards (55-P.Worrilow). FUMBLES (55-P.Worrilow), RECOVERED by ATL-20-D.Lowery at TB 35. [WPA -4.5% · EPA -4.04]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:20) — (13:20) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones to TB 11 for 25 yards (23-M.Barron). [WPA +4.2% · EPA +1.21]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 17-D.Hester left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.6% · EPA +2.19]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 11-J.Jones to ATL 34 for 9 yards (21-A.Verner, 54-L.David). [WPA +3.2% · EPA +0.70]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 7:16) — (7:16) 13-T.Yates pass short right intended for 15-C.Roby INTERCEPTED by 51-D.Lansanah at ATL 27. 51-D.Lansanah for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +0.0% · EPA -7.03]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 23:23) — (8:23) (Shotgun) 8-M.Glennon Aborted. 62-E.Dietrich-Smith FUMBLES at TB 20, RECOVERED by ATL-90-S.Maponga at TB 8. 90-S.Maponga to TB 2 for 6 yards (8-M.Glennon). [WPA -0.0% · EPA -7.01]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 47:47) — (2:47) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown pass short left intended for 83-V.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 36-K.Ishmael [91-C.Peters] at TB 23. 36-K.Ishmael for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -1.8% · EPA -5.66]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 27:18) — (12:18) 24-D.Freeman left end to TB 42 for 7 yards (54-L.David). FUMBLES (54-L.David), RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at TB 43. 54-L.David to TB 43 for no gain (75-J.Asamoah). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -5.09]

Quarterback report card

M.Glennon led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Glennon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 29 dropbacks · 58.6% completion · +6.2% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.17 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 28 dropbacks · 75.0% completion · +23.5% CPOE · +0.72 EPA/play · +20.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.47), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 15 drives, +6.00 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 15 drives, -37.59 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Glennon (TB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 57:09 · TB 3 · Score 0-6
   (12:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 83-H.Douglas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 57:03 · TB 2 · Score 0-7
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 48:11 · TB 8 · Score 0-13
   (3:11) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 48:03 · TB 2 · Score 0-14
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 47:47 · ATL 89 · Score 0-20
   (2:47) (Shotgun) 12-J.McCown pass short left intended for 83-V.Jackson INTERCEPTED by 36-K.Ishmael [91-C.Peters] at TB 23. 36-K.Ishmael for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 47:38 · TB 2 · Score 0-21
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · TB 20 · Score 0-27
   (15:00) 17-D.Hester left end for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 44:53 · TB 2 · Score 0-28
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 37:25 · ATL 94 · Score 0-34
   (7:25) 9-M.Koenen punts 56 yards to ATL 38, Center-48-A.DePaola. 17-D.Hester for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-17-D.Hester, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced b
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 37:06 · TB 2 · Score 0-35
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 23:31 · TB 40 · Score 0-41
    (8:31) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 23:23 · TB 2 · Score 0-42
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 23:18 · TB 2 · Score 0-48
    (8:18) 39-S.Jackson left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 23:11 · TB 2 · Score 0-49
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 17:00 · TB 38 · Score 0-55
    (2:00) 35-A.Smith left end for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 16:47 · TB 2 · Score 0-56
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 8:52 · ATL 3 · Score 6-56
    (8:52) 8-M.Glennon pass short left to 83-V.Jackson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 8:46 · ATL 2 · Score 7-56
    7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 7:16 · TB 78 · Score 13-56
    (7:16) 13-T.Yates pass short right intended for 15-C.Roby INTERCEPTED by 51-D.Lansanah at ATL 27. 51-D.Lansanah for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 7:07 · ATL 2 · Score 14-56
    7-P.Murray extra point is GOOD, Center-48-A.DePaola, Holder-9-M.Koenen.