Devonta Freeman's Huge Night Helps Falcons Sneak by Jameis Winston, Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons earned an important 24-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Matt Ryan was 17-of-31 for 212 yards and a touchdown, while Devonta Freeman ran for 126 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

With the victory, the Falcons moved to 9-5 and extended their lead over the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys to one game for the final wild-card spot in the NFC. Atlanta is one more win away from clinching a playoff berth.  

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also noted the Green Bay Packers are mathematically eliminated for the first time since 2008.

Patrick Murray's game-tying 54-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired to hand the Buccaneers their 10th loss. The fact Tampa Bay was even in a position to send the game into overtime was arguably an indictment of the Falcons' performance.

The result won't silence those who have been critical of Atlanta's coaching staff, specifically offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

Although the Falcons gained 410 total yards, the Buccaneers entered Monday night ranked 31st in defensive efficiency, according to Football Outsiders. Tampa Bay was also without leading tackler Lavonte David and sack leader Gerald McCoy.

Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke tweeted how the Bucs struggled to get any sustained pressure on Ryan:

Despite having plenty of time in the pocket, Ryan was unable to pick apart a secondary that's allowing the most passing yards per game (276.1). CBS Sports' Barrett Sallee was also critical of the Falcons' inability to get Julio Jones involved:

Jones finished with three receptions for 54 yards on eight targets.

The Falcons did, however, find success on the ground, mostly through Freeman. As a team, Atlanta had 201 rushing yards.

Fittingly, a Freeman 32-yard touchdown run proved to be the difference in the game. The run and the ensuing extra point put the Falcons ahead 24-14 with 7:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley II appreciated Freeman carving up the Tampa Bay defense:

Atlanta didn't make things easy for itself late in the game. 

The Falcons struck first with Justin Hardy's six-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. After Tampa Bay tied the game after an O.J. Howard touchdown reception, Atlanta responded with 10 points in the second quarter to go ahead 17-7 before halftime.

The Falcons offense sputtered to begin the second half. The team's first possession of the third quarter ended in a three-and-out, and the Buccaneers blocked 33-yard field goal attempt by Matt Bryant on Atlanta's second drive of the half.

In between those two possessions, Winston connected with Mike Evans on a 42-yard touchdown pass. Evans made the most of his 6'5" frame as he made the catch despite being smothered by Desmond Trufant and Ricardo Allen.

The NFL provided a field-level view of the reception:

The Buccaneers continued to hang around after Freeman's touchdown run. Jameis Winston led the Tampa Bay offense on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in an Adam Humphries 16-yard touchdown reception.

Winston then did what he could to get the team in field-goal position to try to tie the game. Tampa Bay was out of timeouts, which made Winston's job even more difficult. The Bucs got into Atlanta territory with 25 seconds left but only got as far as the Falcons' 36-yard line.

The Falcons have now won six of their last eight games, but four of those victories came by single digits, and Monday was another instance in which Atlanta looked less than convincing despite coming out on top.

The next two weeks could reveal whether the Falcons can put it together and make a serious run at another NFC title. They play the New Orleans Saints in Week 16 and conclude the regular season at home with the Carolina Panthers.