Atlanta Falcons Trail Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Halftime as Desmond Ridder's Turnovers Pile Up

A full rundown of action from the first half of the Atlanta Falcons' contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Atlanta Falcons (6-6) have work to do entering the locker room, facing a 12-10 deficit in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Buccaneers put up points on their opening drive, marching 38 yards on nine plays before kicker Chase McLaughlin connected on a 55-yard field goal, giving the visitors an early 3-0 lead.

Atlanta succinctly responded, as quarterback Desmond Ridder spearheaded a strong opening drive highlighted by a 25-yard completion to receiver Drake London on 3rd and 9 and a two-yard pass to tight end Kyle Pitts for a conversion on 4th and 1.

The Falcons took 8:04 off the clock, going 16 plays and 73 yards but were forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo after Ridder's pass to running back Bijan Robinson sailed wide.

With the game back at even, Atlanta's defense quickly gave the ball back to its offense, forcing a three-and-out.

But the Falcons' offense immediately turned it over, as Ridder's swing pass to Robinson was jumped and intercepted by Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis, giving Tampa Bay the ball back at Atlanta's 7-yard line.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder went 14-of-17 for 157 yards with one touchdown, one interception, three sacks taken and two fumbles / USA Today Sports

Just two plays later, the Buccaneers were in the endzone, as quarterback Baker Mayfield found paydirt on a two-yard run to the left end.

Unfazed, Ridder and Atlanta's offense responded with a six-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped off by a 36-yard touchdown to tight end Kyle Pitts, drawing the score even at 10 apiece.

WATCH: Falcons QB Ridder Finds TE Pitts for TD vs. Buccaneers

The Falcons' defense continued the positive energy, stopping the Buccaneers on 4th and 2 just past midfield, and Ridder quickly found receiver KhaDarel Hodge for an 18-yard pickup to start the next drive.

But Atlanta's fortunes quickly turned, as Ridder was dropped for a one-yard loss on 3rd and 6 shortly thereafter and Koo's 50-yard try was no good, hitting the right upright.

The Falcons' defense once again stood tall, forcing a three-and-out, but on the offense's first play, Ridder was sacked ... and fumbled. Fullback Keith Smith recovered but was tackled in the endzone for a safety, giving Tampa Bay a 12-10 lead.

Atlanta's offense once again responded well, as Ridder led Atlanta into field goal range ... but Koo missed a 52-yard field goal right before half, keeping the deficit at 12-10.

The Falcons will receive the ball to start the second half, with hopes of reducing self-defeating errors and retaining sole possession of first place in the NFC South.