The Atlanta Falcons were down three points, with less than two minutes left and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in possession of the ball. You’ll never guess what happened next.
After a furious drive to send the game to OT, the Falcons stunned their NFC South foes on a 45-yard KhaDarel Hodge touchdown to win 36-30. The biggest star of the night: Kirk Cousins, who shook off a slow start to his Falcons tenure with one of the biggest nights of his career.
The former Minnesota Vikings starter finished 42-of-58 for 509 passing yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He picked the Bucs apart in the drive to force OT, then hammered them again after the Falcons won the second coin toss.
The Falcons’ comeback erased an excellent night for Baker Mayfield, who was 19-of-24 for 180 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Tampa Bay run game also combined for 160 yards on 26 attempts. But some late missteps spelled doom for a team that no longer leads the NFC South.
Here’s how it all played out on Yahoo Sports.
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Kirk Cousins: 42-of-58 for 509 yards, four touchdowns and a pick, plus a game-tying drive with a minute left and no timeouts then the game-winning drive. It’s been a rough start for him, but he made a statement tonight.
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TOUCHDOWN: Falcons stun the Bucs in OT
KhaDarel Hodge breaks a tackle and finds an opening the Tampa Bay defense to steal a win. What an ending, what a game.
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Uh oh. Drake London made a big catch on third down, but he’s still down after taking a big hit. He was evaluated for a concussion earlier this game.
He’s at 154 yards now, but that may be it.
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Falcons win the toss to open OT and can win it here.
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The Falcons get called for delay of game, pushing Koo’s attempt to 52 yards. He makes it.
To overtime we go.
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Another pass to London gains 15 yards and Kirk Cousins spikes the ball with one second left. In comes Younghoe Koo to force OT.
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The Falcons are in Tampa Bay territory…
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The Falcons get the stop and the ball back, but burn through three timeouts. They’ll take over on their own 20 with 1:14 left and three points to score.
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INTERCEPTION: Bucs get the pick on 4th-and-15
The Falcons do go for it and… Kirk Cousins throws a pick to Lavonte David. Atlanta still has three timeouts, but the Bucs are sitting pretty here.
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We’ve reached the two-minute warning, with the Falcons facing a 4th-and-15 and 80 yards from the end zone. Do they go for it?
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TURNOVER: Falcons recover a Bucky Irving fumble
Just as it was looking bleak, Jessie Bates punches the ball out of Bucs rookie Bucky Irving’s hands and the Falcons recover it. The Falcons get the ball back in their territory with 2:50 left and down by three.
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This can’t happen in this situation.
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Oh, that was a brutal drop from Darnell Mooney. Kirk Cousins throws him wide open on 3rd-and-6 and he just whiffs on the catch. And now the Falcons’ 54-yard field goal attempt is blocked.
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Drake London is up to eight catches on nine targets for a season-high 110 yards and a touchdown.
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Kirk Cousins’ third down pass intended for Mooney falls incomplete. Bucs defender got there too early though. That’s DPI. New life for the Falcons.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 4, 2024
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FIELD GOAL: Chase McLaughlin good from 53 to give Bucs the lead
The Bucs are on top again as McLaughlin remains automatic. Now to see how the Falcons respond.
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4th-down risk pays off with a Falcons TD
Falcons were running the ball well, but stalled out at the Tampa Bay 12 after Tyler Allgeier was tackled for a 2-yard loss.
But Atlanta decides to go for it on 4th-and-4 and Kirk Cousins hits Darnell Mooney for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Mooney had the first down, but then turned to shake off Tykee Smith and got to the end zone.
We are tied 27–27.
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Tampa Bay 27, Atlanta 20 after 3 quarters
The Falcons finish off the 3rd quarter strong with a 22-yard catch and run by Ray Ray McCloud, followed by a 29-yard dash by Bijan Robinson.
Atlanta is at the Tampa Bay 46-yard line as the fourth quarter begins.
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FIELD GOAL: Buccaneers respond with their own FG, but Baker Mayfield may be hurt
The Buccaneers have had little trouble moving the ball tonight. They respond to the Falcons FG with a nine-play, 56-yard drive, but finish short of another TD. Baker Mayfield also limped off the field after taking a third-down sack.
