TAMPA, Fla.-- Game notes from the Falcons-Buccaneers game at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 3, 2010.
- With a 20-10victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons solidified back to back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.
- Following a win against the Buccaneers, the Falcons compiled a season sweep over their NFC South Division rival for the second time in the series history and the first time since 2006.
- For the second consecutive season, Atlanta ended the year with three consecutive victories.
- After his first two seasons at the helm, Head Coach Mike Smithhas posted a two-year record of 20-12 which marks the second highest winning percentage (.625) among Falcons head coaches in their first two seasons in franchise history. Smith ranks second to Dan Reeves who compiled a 21-11 record (.656) in his first two years.
- Running back Jason Snellingset a single-game career-high with 147 rushing yards against Tampa Bay on 25 carries which also marked his first-career 100-yard performance. Snelling's total marked the sixth game this season that the three-year pro rushed for 50-plus yards. Last season Snelling did not record one contest with 50-plus yards.
- Quarterback Matt Ryanfinished the contest having completed 23 of 35 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. In two seasons as a starting quarterback, Ryan has posted a 6-0 record in the month of December.
- Ryan connected with tight end Justin Peellefor the game's first touchdown in the second quarter. The score for Peelle was his second of season.
- Ryan completed his second touchdown of the game and the 22nd of the year on a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Roddy White, giving the Falcons a 17-10 lead. The touchdown was the ninth between the two as White totaled a career-high 11 touchdowns this season.
- Wide receiver Roddy White finished the contest against Tampa Bay with six receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown and finished the season with 85 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 scores. He became the first Atlanta Falcon to compile 80 catches and 1,100 yards in three consecutive seasons.
- With his first catch of the game in the second quarter, tight end Tony Gonzalezimproved his consecutive games with a reception streak to 147.
- With four catches against the Buccaneers, wide receiver Michael Jenkinsposted his third consecutive 50-plus reception season.
- The Falcons ended a streak of 10-straight quarters without a touchdown allowed prior to the Buccaneers hitting paydirt on their first offensive possession in the first quarter.
- Atlanta's defense held Tampa Bay to 27 rushing yards on 14 carries in the first half for a 1.9 average. The average is the lowest for a Falcons opponent in the first half of a game since November 2, 2008 at Oakland (1.7). The Falcons held Tampa Bay to 38 net rushing yards which marked the eighth time this season the defensive unit held an opponent to under 100 net rushing yards. Atlanta was 6-2 this season when accomplishing the feat and 11-2 in the last two seasons. Falcons defensive end Chauncey Davisrecorded his first sack of the season and ninth of his career when he dropped Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman in the first quarter.
- Cornerback Brent Grimesintercepted his team-leading sixth pass of the season in the fourth quarter, stalling a potential Buccaneers scoring drive. The interception was also the fourth in the last three games for Grimes as he finished the contest with three passes defensed.
- Rookie cornerback Christopher Owensintercepted his second pass of the season on a Tampa Bay fourth quarter possession. The pick led to a Falcons touchdown.
- Peelle caught a season-long 32-yard reception from Ryan in the second quarter.
- Kicker Matt Bryanttallied Atlanta's first points of the contest with a 36-yard field goal in the second quarter. He split the uprights on another 36-yard attempt with one minute remaining in the fourth quarter to seal a 20-10 victory.
MORE FALCONS-BUCCANEERS COVERAGE:
- GAMEDAY LIVE:More Falcons-Bucs coverage from AF.com
- GAME CENTER:Click here for stats and more from NFL.com
- MULTIMEDIA:Interviews, highlights and more from Bucs-Falcons
- FIRST TAKE:Exclusive post game interviews with Dave Archer
- GAME NOTES:Official game notes kept in the Raymond James Stadium press box
- THE BEAT BLOG:Quarter-by-quarter updates from AF.com's John Manasso
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES:Additional thoughts from the AF.com managing editor
- INACTIVES:Inactive players and starters from Week 17
- QUOTABLE:Thoughts from Falcons postgame | Buccaneers
- PHOTOS:Images from the Falcons victory over the Bucs
- FORUMS:Talk about the Falcons 9-7 finish with fans on FalconsLIFE
