Kirk Cousins Throws For 509 Yards, as Falcons Win in Overtime Against Bucs on TNF, 36-30

By Zachary McMahon-

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Thursday night football after bouncing back with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Falcons won their game against the Saints after a last-second 58-yard field goal by Youngshoe Koo to bring it to 26-24. 

Kirk Cousins had a great game for the Falcons, throwing a career-high of 509 yards and four touchdowns. “What a night,” Cousins said. Two touchdowns were to Darnell Mooney, which made it his first career game with multiple receiving touchdowns. 

Cousins opened up with a 18-yard touchdown to Drake London, after a 32-yard pass to Kyle Pitts earlier in the opening drive. 

Mike Evans had two receiving touchdowns from Bucs QB Baker Mayfield in the first half, and another passing touchdown to Sterling Shepherd helped the Bucs close out the first half with a 24-17 lead. 

Koo, who went 3-for-5, including a missed field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, tied it up as time expired in regulation as the game went into overtime. 

The Falcons won the toss and received the ball to open up overtime, the Falcons started marching on the field with a 18-yard pass to London, who got injured on the play after a hit from Zyon McCollum. He was already evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter, but came back in the game. 

On the next play, Cousins had the pass that won the game with a 45-yard touchdown to KahDarel Hodge, as the Falcons had their third game-winner of the season in the 36-30 overtime victory. 

London finished with 12 receptions, 154 receiving yards in his first 100+ yard game of the season. Along with his two touchdowns, Mooney had 105 receiving yards, as it was his first 100+ yard receiving game since he had three in 2021 with the Chicago Bears. 

Mayfield threw for 180 yards, led by Chris Godwin who had 64 yards, Rachaad White led rushing with 72 yards. 

Lavonte David picked off Cousins during the game, and he was briefly off the field after getting injured from a cut block from Falcons G Chris Lindstrom. 

Bucs S Tykee Smith was taken out of the game after being evaluated for a head injury, and Jordan Whitehead walked off slowly in the fourth with a groin injury. 

Dee Alford left the game in the first half with a concussion, and the reigning NFC defensive player of the week Troy Anderson did not play due to a knee injury. 

The Bucs will play another divisional game next Sunday when they face the New Orleans Saints at 1 pm on FOX, and the Falcons will play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at 4:25 pm.