NFL: Devin Hester leads the Atlanta Falcons to rout of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Friday 19 September 2014 10:20, UK
The Atlanta Falcons produced a stunning display to thrash the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers 56-14 - with Devin Hester in record-breaking form.
Hester registered his 20th return for a touchdown, setting a new NFL best, while he also joined Steven Jackson and Antone Smith in rushing over.
Matt Ryan completed 21-of-24 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns – with Julio Jones making 161 yards off nine receptions for two scores and Harry Douglas also crossing.
The Falcons (2-1) had led 56-0 before two late touchdowns helped the Bucs avoid the worst defeat in the franchise’s history.
The match was effectively over as a contest in the first quarter, with the Falcons getting off to a flying start.
Ryan connected with Douglas from three yards for the opening score, before the quarterback connected with Jones from eight yards to double the tally. Kemal Ishmael then picked off Josh McCown to race over from 23 yards.
A second-quarter double from Hester further rubbed salt into the wounds, with the 31-year-old wide receiver first crossing from a 20-yard run before his 62-yard punt return set a new touchdown record in the NFL.
A further three TDs followed in the third quarter, with a 40-yard pass from Ryan finding Jones while Jackson (two yards) and Smith (38 yards) rushed over.
A 56-0 down and with a quarter still to play, things were looking ominous for the Bucs (0-3) however Mike Glennon connected with Vincent Jackson from three yards for a touchdown.
Danny Lansanah then picked up an attempted pass from back-up quarterback TJ Yates to cross from 27 yards out.
