ATLANTA – On a memorable Thursday night inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Kirk Cousins delivered one of the most spectacular performances of his career. As he jogged through Tunnel No. 4, Atlanta Falcons fans called out his name, celebrating the quarterback’s heroic efforts in a 36-30 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This is exactly what the Falcons envisioned when they signed Cousins for $180 million in March – a clutch player who could step up when it mattered most. And on Thursday, Cousins did just that, setting both personal and franchise records in an unforgettable performance.
Cousins Sets Career and Franchise Records
Cousins threw for 509 yards, shattering his previous personal best of 460 yards. He also broke the Falcons’ single-game passing record, surpassing Matt Ryan’s 503-yard performance from 2016.
“This is my first time hitting that milestone,” Cousins said, adding with a smile, “It took an extra quarter, but Zac kept giving me opportunities.” He was referring to Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who trusted Cousins with 60 pass attempts throughout the game.
Coincidentally, Ryan was inducted into the Falcons’ Ring of Honor during halftime, making Cousins’ record-breaking night even more symbolic.
Cousins spread the ball efficiently, completing passes to seven different Falcons. Receiver Drake London hauled in a career-high 12 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown, while Darnell Mooney contributed 105 yards and two scores. Tight end Kyle Pitts added seven receptions for 88 yards.
A Turnaround Performance for Cousins
Coming into the game, the Buccaneers had blitzed on 37% of their defensive snaps, but against Cousins, they dialed it back to just 20%. This gave the Falcons QB more time to find his rhythm. The results spoke for themselves. Cousins completed 67% of his passes under pressure, significantly improving from the first four weeks of the season.
“I was finally anticipating where Kyle and Drake would be,” Cousins said, explaining how his confidence had grown. “In the first few weeks, I was hesitant, but tonight everything just clicked.”
Game-Winning Play in Overtime
The night culminated in an overtime thriller. With the score tied and Atlanta driving, Cousins connected with seldom-used receiver KhaDarel Hodge for the game-winning 45-yard touchdown. Hodge, primarily known for his special teams contributions, stepped up when it mattered most, sprinting past Buccaneers defenders to seal the victory.
“I thought it was just going to be a quick play,” Cousins said. “But Hodge took it all the way.”
It was Hodge’s second career touchdown and his first since 2022. Overcome with emotion, Hodge later admitted, “I was trying to hold back the tears, but they came out.”
Back-to-Back Wins for the Falcons
This dramatic win pushed the Falcons to 3-2 in a competitive NFC South. It also marked Cousins’ best performance since joining the team. Coach Raheem Morris praised his quarterback’s growing confidence, noting that Cousins’ recovery from a 2023 Achilles injury is now paying off.
In a game filled with lead changes and excitement, Cousins proved he is the leader Atlanta needs. His decisive playmaking not only secured back-to-back wins but also gave fans a glimpse of the Falcons’ potential.