Kirk Cousins sure made all that cash Thursday night. The $180m quarterback tossed for a career-high 509 backyards and 4 goals, the last of them a 45-yard scoring pass to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime that provided the Atlanta Falcons an unlikely 36-30 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “What a night,” Cousins stated. “I’m tired.” After a wild 4th quarter that included an obstructed basket, a fumble and an interception, Cousins and the Falcons (3-2) got the ball back at their own 20 with 1:14 staying in policy and no timeouts, routing 30-27. Cousins finished 5 passes to press Atlanta to the Buccaneers 29, then hustled to the line to increase the ball with a single 2nd. In all the confusion, the Falcons were required hold-up of video game as they lined up for a connecting basket, however it didn’t cost them. Even with the five-yard charge, Younghoe Koo knocked it through from 52 lawns to require overtime, one week after he made a 58-yarder with 2 seconds delegated beat the New Orleans Saints. “I’m happy of the grit,” Cousins stated. “In this league, that’s what it takes. We were gritty tonight.” The Falcons won the coin toss in overtime and ensured Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (3-2) didn’t get their hands on the ball once again. Cousins gotten in touch with Drake London on a number of passes before tossing a brief one to Hodge, who broke a take on at the 40, sliced through a space in the secondary and raced unblemished to the end zone to end the video game. The 4 TD passes connected Cousins’ profession best, while his yardage through the air quickly eclipsed his previous high of 460 with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. After signing his huge complimentary representative handle the Falcons, that included $100m in ensured cash, Cousins left to slow start in Atlanta. He heard absolutely nothing however cheers on a night when the Falcons inducted long time beginning quarterback Matt Ryan into their Ring of Honor. The 36-year-old Cousins even swayed to the rap struck “Swag Surfin” throughout the postgame event, securely developing his chops in the A-T-L. With Matty Ice cheering him on, Cousins broke Ryan’s group record for passing lawns in a video game (503) with among the most respected efficiencies in NFL history. Just 14 quarterbacks have actually tossed for more lawns in a video game, led by Norm Van Brocklin’s mark of 554 backyards that has actually stood considering that 1951. “Outstanding,” Morris stated in a concise however fitting evaluation of Cousins’ efficiency. Mayfield tossed 3 goal passes, consisting of a set to Mike Evans, and Chase McLaughlin booted 3 basket. The last of them was a 53-yarder that put the Buccaneers ahead 30-27 with 10:23 staying. Mayfield seemed like he let this one escape. “All I appreciate is wins,” he stated. “I’ve got to discover a method to complete that video game out on offense.” The Falcons connected it with a gutty fourth-down call by Morris early in the 4th quarter. After Tyler Allgeier was tossed for a two-yard loss on third-and-2, the Falcons didn’t even think about a basket from the Bucs’ 12. Kirk Cousins passes throughout the 2nd half. Photo: Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports Atlanta lined right back up and Cousins tossed a pass to Darnell Mooney, who made the grab at the marker however wasn’t content with simply an initially down. He got rid of a tackler and ran to the end zone. Mooney likewise had a 24-yard goal catch throughout a back-and-forth very first half that ended with the Buccaneers up 24-17. Both offenses added and down the field, integrating for 488 lawns, 28 very first downs and simply one punt over the very first 2 quarters. Cousins had an 18-yard goal pass to London, who ended up with 12 catches for 154 backyards. Mooney had 9 receptions for 105. “I proclaim and the gamers made plays,” Cousins stated. “I’m grateful for the development we’ve made. We’re improving and much better weekly.” Koo missed his very first basket of the year from 41 backyards and had another effort obstructed, however he likewise linked from 54 and 48 lawns before splitting the uprights with the connecting kick.
Cousins tosses for 509 backyards as Atlanta Falcons win 36-20 over Tampa Bay Bucs
