The Atlanta Falcons trailed by three points with less than two minutes remaining and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had possession. You’ll never guess what happened next.
After a wild drive that sent the game to OT, the Falcons surprised their NFC South opponent with a 45-yard KhaDarel Hodge touchdown and won 36-30. Biggest star of the night: Kirk Cousins overcame a slow start with the Falcons to have one of the biggest nights of his career.
The former Minnesota Vikings starter completed 42 of 58 for 509 passing yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. He tore apart the Bucs on a drive to force OT, then again pummeled the Bucs after the Falcons won the second coin toss.
The Falcons’ comeback erased a great night for Baker Mayfield, in which he went 19-of-24 for 180 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Tampa Bay’s run game also totaled 160 yards on 26 attempts. But some late-game missteps spelled doom for a team that no longer leads the NFC South.
Here’s what it looks like on Yahoo Sports.
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Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:34 PM EDT
Kirk Cousins: 42-of-58 for 509 yards, four touchdowns, one pick, then clinched the game-tying drive with a minute left and the winning drive with no timeouts. It’s been a tough start for him, but tonight he made a statement.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:33 PM EDT
Touchdown: Falcons dominate Bucs in OT
KhaDarrell Hodge broke a tackle and found an opening in Tampa Bay’s defense to steal the win. What an ending, what a game.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:32 PM EDT
Oh, oh. Drake London made a big catch on third down, took a big hit and is still down. He was diagnosed with a concussion at the beginning of this match.
He currently has 154 yards, but that may be his limit.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:30 PM EDT
The Falcons win the toss to open OT and can win here.
Thu, Oct 3, 2024, 11:28pm EDT Thu, Oct 3, 2024, 11:26pm EDT
The Falcons were called for delay of game, forcing Koo’s attempt to go 52 yards. he gets it done.
We’re going to overtime.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:24 PM EDT
Another pass to London gained 15 yards, and Kirk Cousins spiked the ball with one second left. Younghoe Koo forces OT.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:21 PM EDT
The Falcons are in Tampa Bay territory…
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:19 PM EDT
The Falcons get the stop and get the ball back, but run out three timeouts. With 1 minute and 14 seconds remaining, they earned the three points and took over their own 20 points.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:14 PM EDT
Interception: Bucks get pick on 4th-and-15.
The Falcons go for it, and…Kirk Cousins throws a pick to Lavonte David. Atlanta still has three timeouts, but the Bucks are doing pretty well here.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:12 PM EDT
The two-minute warning is reached and the Falcons are on fourth-and-15, 80 yards to the end zone. Will they go for it?
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:10pm EDT
Turnover: Falcons recover Bucky Irving fumble
When things looked desperate, Jesse Bates punched the ball out of the hands of Bucks rookie Bucky Irving, and the Falcons got the ball back. The Falcons got the ball back in their own half with 2:50 left and a three-point lead.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:02 PM EDT
That can’t happen in this situation.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 11:02 PM EDT
Oh, that was a bad drop from Darnell Mooney. Kirk Cousins threw him wide open at third and sixth base, but he just whiffed on the catch. And now the Falcons’ 54-yard field goal attempt is blocked.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:59 PM EDT
Drake London had eight catches on nine targets for a season-high 110 yards and a touchdown.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:57 PM EDT
Kirk Cousins’ third down pass to Mooney falls incomplete. But the Bucks defender arrived too early. That is DPI. A new life for the Falcons.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 4, 2024
Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:50 PM EDT
FIELD GOAL: Chase McLaughlin scores a great goal with 53 seconds left to give the Bucks the lead.
The Bucs are on top again as McLaughlin remains automatic. Now, let’s see how the Falcons respond.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:43 PM EDT
4th down risk pays off with Falcons TD
The Falcons were running the ball well, but stalled when Tyler Allgaier was tackled at the Tampa Bay 12 for a loss of 2 yards.
But Atlanta decided to go for it on fourth-and-4, and Kirk Cousins hit Darnell Mooney with a 12-yard touchdown pass. Mooney got the first down, but then turned and waved past Tykie Smith to reach the end zone.
It’s a tie at 27-27.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:35 PM EDT
Tampa Bay 27, Atlanta 20 after 3 quarters.
The Falcons finished the third quarter strong with Ray Ray McLeod’s 22-yard catch and run followed by Bijan Robinson’s 29-yard dash.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Atlanta was at Tampa Bay’s own 46-yard line.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 10:29 PM EDT
FIELD GOAL: Buccaneers fight back with their own FG, but Baker Mayfield could be injured
The Buccaneers had little trouble moving the ball tonight. They responded to the Falcons’ FG with a nine-play, 56-yard drive, but fell just one TD away. Baker’s Mayfield also limped off the field after suffering a third-down sack.
