Falcons vs. Buccaneers Halftime Update: Atlanta leads 13-10 at the half

The Atlanta Falcons are leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10 after two quarters, but it's a competitive game that could go either way.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers killed themselves with penalties on defense, although a few of those were fairly weak or close calls by the refs. But beyond that, they're simply not playing all that well. Although coverage is holding up slightly better than it did early in the season, there's still no consistent pass rush, and the run defense has been exploited regularly as well. And as has been the case all season long, the Bucs are allowing receivers to turn short catches into long gains much too easily, missing what should be fairly easy tackles.

Thankfully, a massive drop in the endzone by Devin Hester saved the Bucs from being down 14-3. Crezdon Butler decided that jumping a five-yard route was more important than defending the deep route on third-and-19.

On the offensive side of the ball, Josh McCown struggled early in the game, especially under pressure, but has looked better since then -- and threw a couple of beautiful passes on the final drive of the half, including a 22-yard touchdown throw to Mike Evans.

It wouldn't be a Bucs game without some horrible special teams play, though, including an obligatory 23-yard punt and a big Devin Hester return to set up the Falcons' field goal drive at the end of the half.