ATLANTA -- Whether it was running for 10-plus yards per play or catching passes from Matt Ryan, Falcons running back Devonta Freeman was everywhere on the field at Raymond James Stadium on Monday night.
Freeman's 194 total yards (126 rushing yards, 68 receiving yards) helped the Falcons to an important 24-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta now needs to win just one of its final two games to secure a playoff berth.
"I was just running how I was running, being Free," Freeman said of his performance. "I think I was being me. I feel like it was just overall a complete game for me."
This marks the eighth time in Freeman's career that he's reached the 100-yard mark.
The Falcons rely heavily on his versatility as not only a runner and as a pass catcher, too. Freeman was responsible for six of Atlanta's nine third-down conversions.
"We knew there were going to be opportunities for him in the pass game," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "Even as we came out of our week last week we identified some areas that we wanted to really emphasize, and Free was one of them. The different ways and the different styles, we can use him as a runner and as a receiver, so he's such a competitive guy. He really looked like he was feeling it tonight and coming into his own. It was vintage Freeman for sure."
Freeman's performance certainly didn't go unnoticed by his teammates.
"That's 'Madden' numbers right there," Takkarist McKinley said of Freeman's performance.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan also commended his performance and as the Falcons continue on with their playoff quest with two regular-season games remaining, Freeman's play will be key.
"Devonta is a special player, he really is," Ryan said. "Some night's guys become the feature guy of the game and tonight he was that guy for us. He did a great job in the passing game and a great job in the run game."
