Buccaneers vs Falcons final score: Atlanta routs Tampa Bay 56-14

The Atlanta Falcons entered Thursday night’s game with a 1-1 record and looking to assert themselves as a team to be reckoned with this season in the NFC South. To say that they succeeded in those goals would be a vast understatement, as Matt Ryan, Devin Hester, and the rest of the Falcons absolutely blasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final score of 56-14.

The Falcons started fast and never looked back. Even without wide receiver Roddy White in the lineup, Atlanta’s offense drove against a Gerald McCoy-less Tampa Bay defense with ease in the first quarter. A Harry Douglas receiving touchdown followed by a Julio Jones touchdown quickly made it 14-0.

As the Buccaneers stumbled over themselves, turning the ball over and continuing to get in their own way, all of the attention turned to Devin Hester. First, Hester delivered his first career rushing touchdown. Then, in the highlight of the game, Hester returned a punt for a touchdown.

It was Hester’s 20th career return for a touchdown, which breaks the all-time record previously held by Deion Sanders.

The second half turned into prolonged garbage time, with the Buccaneers forced to insert Mike Glennon at quarterback because of a hand injury sustained by Josh McCown. If the Falcons had not called off the dogs in the second half, it felt like they could have scored 80 points if they had wanted to.

Jones stands out among the many offensive stars for the Falcons, as he hauled in nine catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Ryan was granted some time off in the second half after throwing for 286 yards and three touchdowns.

For the Falcons, this gives them a second win at home in the division to start the season. For the Buccaneers, on the other hand, they are a team that is lost and looking for answers after an ugly 0-3 start.

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