In a thrilling “Thursday Night Football” matchup, the Atlanta Falcons pulled off an incredible comeback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a dramatic turn of events in the game’s closing minutes.
When Kirk Cousins threw an interception on a fourth-and-15 with just over a minute left in regulation, it seemed like the Falcons’ chances of victory were slim. The Buccaneers, already in field goal range with 1:44 remaining and all three timeouts still available to the Bucs vs Falcons, appeared poised to secure the win. However, Atlanta’s defense stepped up, stalling the Buccaneers’ drive and pushing them out of field goal range.
With time running out, the Falcons hurried down the field. Cousins connected with Drake London for a 14-yard gain, but the clock was ticking. In a nail-biting finish, Cousins managed to spike the ball with just one second left, allowing Younghoe Koo to nail a game-tying 52-yard field goal, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, the Falcons’ offense continued to shine, marching 70 yards in just four plays to secure a 36-30 victory. Cousins had a record-breaking performance, throwing for 509 yards—the highest in Falcons history—and tallying four touchdowns along with one interception. This remarkable feat marked only the 25th time a quarterback has surpassed 500 passing yards in an NFL game.
During overtime, Cousins connected with London on a critical third-and-3, moving the chains before London briefly went down after a hit from Zyon McCollum but managed to walk off the field unaided. However, the Falcons struggled to maintain momentum after recovering a fumble. After a series of setbacks, they faced a fourth-and-15. Instead of punting, the Falcons opted to go for it, but Cousins’ pass into double coverage was intercepted by Lavonte David.
Despite the setback, the Falcons regrouped, using their timeouts strategically to regain possession. In a significant moment of the game, the Buccaneers added their first points of the second half with a 32-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin, extending their lead to 27-20. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield appeared to injure his leg after a sack by the Falcons but managed to walk off the field and remained on the sidelines.
With this victory, the Bucs vs Falcons not only showcased their resilience but also made an early statement in the NFC South standings.