Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins delivered a standout performance on Thursday, leading the Falcons to a 36-30 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a game-winning touchdown pass to KhaDarel Hodge.
Cousins completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, breaking Matt Ryan’s Falcons single-game passing record of 503 yards set in 2016. He threw four touchdown passes, with one interception, securing another narrow victory for the Falcons after they edged the New Orleans Saints earlier in the week.
The game went into overtime after a dramatic fourth quarter in which Atlanta’s kicker, Younghoe Koo, hit a 52-yard field goal as time expired, tying the game at 30-30. The quarter featured a dropped pass, a blocked field goal, and an interception of Cousins, keeping the contest tight.
After winning the overtime coin toss, Cousins led the Falcons on a 70-yard drive, connecting with Drake London for an 18-yard gain. When London left the game due to injury, Cousins found Hodge, who sprinted for a 45-yard touchdown to seal the win. Hodge, primarily a special teams player, was thrilled with his decisive play, saying, “It’s a game of opportunity, and I made sure I took advantage of it.”
The Buccaneers had opportunities to win in regulation but were stopped short by a fumble forced by the Falcons’ defense with under four minutes remaining. The Falcons also missed chances, including a dropped pass by Darnell Mooney and a blocked 54-yard field goal attempt by Koo. A late interception by Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David nearly ended the game, but the Buccaneers failed to capitalise, giving Atlanta one last chance to tie, which they did.
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta in March, connected with seven different receivers in the game. London had 12 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown, while Mooney added nine catches for 105 yards and two scores.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield had a solid performance, completing 19 of 24 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Bucs to a 24-17 halftime lead.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 3-2, tying the Buccaneers atop the NFC South division. “We showed a lot of character tonight,” Cousins said after the game. “We can build on this.”