Looking to sew up the NFC South Division against Atlanta, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stumbled to the Falcons, 24-23, and kept the door open for the streaking New Orleans Saints. Things looked good at the start for Tampa Bay, as running back Earnest Graham busted through the line for a 3-yard touchdown run. Later, kicker Mark Bryant connected on a 42-yard field goal to give the Buccaneers a 10-3 first-quarter lead.

But the momentum began to turn in the second quarter as the Falcons roared back with 14 points to tie the game at 17-17. Falcons running back Warrick Dunn leapt over the pile for a 2-yard touchdown and quarterback Chris Redman hit wide receiver Michael Jenkins on a 15-yard touchdown shortly before halftime. A 34-yard touchdown pass from Redman to wide receiver Joe Horn gave Atlanta the lead for good. Bryant added field goals from 24 and 50 yards in the second half for the Bucs.