The Tampa Bay Buccaneers headed to Georgia on Sunday for the final game of the regular season against the hometown Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs were hoping to snap a nine-game losing streak on New Year's Day, but through one quarter of play it is looking exceedingly unlikely that will come to pass.
The Falcons have come out with guns blazing and unloaded on Tampa Bay right away. Jacquizz Rodgers scored on a one-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter to cap off an 80-yard, 16-play drive and open the scoring. Five minutes later, Matt Ryan hooked up with Julio Jones on a 17-yard touchdown pass. One Josh Freeman interception later, Ryan launched a 48-yard touchdown pass to Jones to put the Falcons up 21-0 with the second Atlanta touchdown in 24 seconds.
That's where the score would stand for the remainder of the first quarter.
For more on the Buccaneers, please visit Bucs Nation, SB Nation's Buccaneers blog. For the perspective from the other side, please visit SB Nation Atlanta and The Falcoholic, SB Nation's Falcons blog.