The Falcons came into the second half, and after another lengthy first possession by the Bucs - this one spanning 13 plays and 86 yards, capped off by a field goal - it looked like the Falcons would get off to a slow start.
But the Falcons offense answered big on their first offensive play of the half as Matt Ryan hooked up with Julio Jones on an 80-yard touchdown pass.
Jones had everyone beat on the play, and displayed that dangerous down-field speed for which he was so coveted coming out of Alabama. The play put him over 100 yards on the day, the fourth such game of his career.
That scoring play put a 17-13 lead back in Atlanta's hands.
The Bucs, however, embarked on another lengthy drive that was capped off by Doug Martin's second rushing touchdown of the day, giving Tampa its current 20-17 advantage.
Martin now has 18 carries for 48 yards on the day. Josh Freeman has rebounded after a slow start as well, going 14-for-20 for 201 yards passing.
As this game enters the fourth quarter, the Falcons look to regain the lead. But Matt Ryan's second turnover of the day, a fumble recovered by Gerald McCoy of the Bucs, looks to threaten those endeavors.