For five seasons, Todd Bowles’ defense had a calling card: when it came to long-yardage situations, they didn’t just bend - they flat-out slammed the door. Fourth-and-14 or longer?
Forget it. That was the kind of down-and-distance where Tampa Bay’s defense thrived.
But on Thursday night, that identity unraveled in the worst way possible.
With the Buccaneers clinging to a 28-14 fourth-quarter lead, the Falcons faced a fourth-and-14 deep in comeback mode. That’s typically where Bowles’ unit has made its money - dialing up pressure, locking down coverage, and turning desperation into defeat.
But this time, Kirk Cousins had just enough time, and Tampa Bay’s coverage cracked. The result: a completed pass, a fresh set of downs, and the beginning of a 15-0 Atlanta run that would flip the game - and possibly the NFC South - on its head.
That play wasn’t just a missed opportunity. It was a break in a five-year streak of dominance in those exact moments.
Before Thursday night, the Buccaneers had denied eight straight fourth-and-14-or-longer attempts. The last time they gave one up?
Back in 2020, when Daniel Jones connected with Sterling Shepard on a fourth-and-16. Even then, Tampa Bay held on for the win.
This time, there was no escape.
Atlanta kept the momentum rolling after the conversion, marching down the field and setting up Zane Gonzalez for a walk-off field goal. Just like that, a game that looked like a statement win for Tampa Bay turned into a gut punch.
And it wasn’t just the defense. Baker Mayfield’s late interception added fuel to the fire - a back-breaking turnover that snuffed out any hopes of a counterpunch.
Now sitting at 7-7, the Buccaneers find themselves in a suddenly crowded NFC South race instead of cruising toward a division crown. That fourth-down breakdown wasn’t just a blip - it was a moment that could define the rest of their season. What had been a quietly reliable strength turned into a glaring weakness at the worst possible time.
For the Falcons, it’s a signature win - a comeback that breathes new life into their playoff hopes and sends a message to the rest of the division. For Tampa Bay, it’s a harsh reminder: in the NFL, reputations are built over years, but they can be broken in a single snap.