06-04-2019, 12:44 AM
ATLANTA - Devin Hester high-stepped into the NFL record book. Matt Ryan had as many touchdown passes as incompletions. Julio Jones made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch tumbling into the end zone. The result: One of the biggest wins in Atlanta Falcons history. Hester set an NFL record with his 20th return for a touchdown, Ryan threw for 286 yards and three TDs, and Jones hauled in nine passes for 161 yards and a couple of scores to lead the Falcons past the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 56-14 on Thursday night. "It was a fun night," Ryan said. The Falcons (2-1) led 35-0 before the Buccaneers (0-3) picked up a first down. Ryan and the other offensive starters left after Steven Jacksons 3-yard touchdown run made it 49-0 before the midway point of the third quarter. Atlanta had a stunning 56-0 lead heading to the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay scored two meaningless touchdowns to avoid the worst loss in franchise history. "Ive never been in a game quite like this," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. It was the second-largest win in the Falcons 48-year history, eclipsed only by 62-7 rout of New Orleans in 1973. It was only the fifth time Atlanta has won by as many as 40 points. Hester and Jones provided the signature moments. With the Falcons already ahead 28-0, Hester took a punt at his own 44, found a seam up the middle of the field and easily zipped around the last man with a chance to tackle him, punter Michael Koenen. The 56-yard play was Hesters 20th career return for a touchdown, breaking the mark he shared with former Falcons star Deion Sanders. Sanders, now a television analyst, watched Hesters return from the sideline at the Georgia Dome. Hester high-stepped the last 10 yards are so, his left hand bobbing behind his ear — a tribute to Prime Times signature move. "Its tough to break the record of the guy who is my No. 1 mentor," Hester said. "Im kind of emotional right now." Sanders didnt mind a bit. He smiled broadly and waved to the crowd when he was shown on the video board, the Hall of Famers record falling in the stadium he once proclaimed as "my house." Jones couldve made the same claim after his superb 40-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. Turning toward the sideline, he looked first over his left shoulder for the pass, turned his body when realized it was coming over his right shoulder, juggled the ball a bit as he tumbled into the end zone, cradling it under his arm just before slammed the turf, getting both feet down. "Just a hell of a catch," Ryan said. "Hes a special talent." Coming off three interceptions in a loss at Cincinnati, Ryan bounced back with a 21-of-24 showing that set a team record for completion percentage (.875). He also hooked up with Jones on an 8-yard touchdown strike, as well as Harry Douglas on a 3-yarder. "No one ever doubted that Matt Ryan would come back and have a good game after his game last week," Smith said. Hester, in his first year with the Falcons, also had a 20-yard touchdown run on an end around, not to mention one of the better defensive plays of the night. After the Bucs stripped the ball away from a Falcons receiver, Hester stripped it right back and fell on the fumble himself to keep possession for Atlanta. "He channeled some of his inner defence from his college days," Ryan quipped. The Bucs, losing their first three games for the third time in six years, couldnt do anything right. Josh McCown was 5 of 12 for 58 yards and his fourth interception of the season was returned 23 yards for a touchdown by backup safety Kemal Ishmael. Somewhat mercifully, McCown left the game with a thumb injury after appearing to bang his right hand off an Atlanta players helmet on his final throw of the night. Mike Glennon went the rest of the way at quarterback. "I thought I had my football team ready to play," said first-year Bucs coach Lovie Smith. "Obviously, we werent ready to play." The Falcons finished with a 488-217 edge in total yards. The Bucs had five turnovers and 110 yards in penalties on what will surely go down as one of the worst embarrassments for a franchise that knows a thing or two about losing, dropping its first 26 games after entering the NFL in 1976. If not for Danny Lansanahs 27-yard interception return for a touchdown, Tampa Bay wouldve eclipsed its biggest loss ever, a 48-3 blowout by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. Notes: The Bucs were missing four defensive starters from the start of the year, including two-time Pro Bowl tackle Gerald McCoy. He didnt play because of a hand injury sustained in last Sundays loss to St. Louis. ... The Falcons Douglas went out in the first half with a foot injury. ... Bucs RB Bobby Rainey, who had 163 yards rushing in a 2013 game against Atlanta, was held to 41 yards on 11 carries. ... The Falcons had their first three sacks of the season. Stitched Oakland Raiders Jerseys . The Cavs announced the move Saturday, one day after LeBron James said hes returning to Cleveland. A 12-year veteran, Haywood has played in 794 NBA games, averaging 6. Cheap Oakland Raiders Jerseys Online . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21. http://www.cheapraiders.com/. Seth Smith hit a towering drive for a tying homer leading off the eighth and Chris Denorfia singled home two runs to give the Padres a 3-1 victory against the rival Dodgers in baseballs North American opener Sunday night. Oakland Raiders Jerseys Outlet . Hes had three top-10 results this season and feels ready to put it all together and finally hoist a trophy at the top level. Authentic Oakland Raiders Jerseys . According to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, the deal will pay Schenn $2.25 million in the first year and $2.75 million in the second year. In 82 games with the Flyers in 2013-14, Schenn scored 20 goals and added 21 assists.Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. The Ohio State Buckeyes are back on top. They can thank the inaugural College Football Playoff for that. Elliott ran for 246 yards, totaling over 200 for a third straight game, and Ohio State won its first national championship since 2002 with a 42-20 victory over Oregon in the CFP National Championship Game on Monday night. The Buckeyes snuck into the final four of the CFP committees final rankings on Dec. 7 after not being included in any of their previous unveilings. Their vaulting into the No. 4 spot came a day after Elliott gained 220 yards and two scores in Ohio States 59-0 shutout win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. The Buckeyes then went out and silenced their critics in the Sugar Bowl when Elliott ran for 230 yards and two more touchdowns in their 42-35 win over top-seeded Alabama. Elliott put the final staamp on the stunning title run Monday night.dddddddddddd After the Ducks pulled within a point in the third quarter, Elliott ran for a trio of scores to lift Ohio State to its sixth national championship. The emergence of the sophomore Elliott took the pressure off Cardale Jones, who was making his third career start. Jones, of course, took over at quarterback following the injuries to Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Jones was 16-of-23 for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception and added 38 yards rushing and a score for Ohio State, which won despite turning the ball over four times. Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota was 24-of-37 for 333 yards and two touchdowns to go with a pick for the No. 2 Ducks, who routed Florida State 59-20 in the Rose Bowl to reach the title game. Mariota also carried the ball 10 times for 39 yards, Byron Marshall caught eight passes for 169 yards and a score and Thomas Tyner ran for 62 yards on 12 totes in defeat. 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