October 3, 2024: A Game to Remember

It was clear from the start of the Thursday night game that the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in for an offensive face-off. Both teams scored touchdowns on their initial possessions, setting the tone for a clash that saw its conclusion with a long touchdown pass.

The Falcons clinched a 36-30 overtime victory, thanks to Kirk Cousins’ fourth touchdown of the game, a 45-yard score delivered to KhaDarel Hodge. The Falcons were forced into overtime due to Younghoe Koo’s 52-yard field goal as regulation time expired. Cousins then stepped up, setting a personal passing record of 509 yards, thus pushing Atlanta (3-2) into a tie for the division lead.

Cousins’ fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the final minute of regular or overtime play in the last five seasons marks the highest in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons: The Path to Playoffs

Securing a spot in the playoffs often hinges on games like the one on Thursday. With consecutive victories over New Orleans and Tampa Bay, Atlanta has taken an early lead in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over these same teams. This could be a crucial factor in the closely contested division as we move towards December and January.

Quarterback Breakdown: Cousins’ Stellar Performance

With his health restored, Cousins demonstrated why the Falcons invested a whopping $180 million in him during the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. This marks the sixth time he has thrown for 350 yards and three touchdowns in a prime-time game, a record he shares with Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to our research.

Player Highlights

Drake London continues to display dominance against Tampa Bay, with three of his four career 100-yard games occurring against this team. His performance on Thursday included 12 catches, 154 yards, and his first-ever touchdown against Tampa Bay.

Meanwhile, Darnell Mooney appears to be regaining the form he showed in Chicago in 2021. He recorded his first game with multiple touchdown catches and his 9 catches for 105 yards are among his career-highs. Despite two drops, one of which could have been significant, his overall performance was impressive.

Finally, Kyle Pitts bounced back from a week of not catching a pass against New Orleans. He had his best statistical game in almost a year, catching 7 balls for 108 yards.

Atlanta’s Offense Shines with Pitts Leading the Charge

In a recent clash against the Houston Texans, Atlanta’s offense once again demonstrated its prowess, with Pitts garnering the spotlight for his exceptional performance. The standout player marked his most significant contribution since October 8, 2023, achieving seven catches for 87 yards from an impressive 11 targets, his career’s highest to date. The Falcons’ upcoming game is set to take place against the Carolina Panthers at 4.25 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Underrated Falcons Prove Their Mettle Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers

All throughout the summer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had been informed that the Falcons were their strongest rivals in the NFC South. Despite the Bucs’ three consecutive years of divisional wins, the Falcons proved their worth on Thursday night. Now, the race is on among three teams, with the Bucs next set to face New Orleans. The Bucs are tasked with ensuring their players are in top shape, with a mere nine days to prepare.

Mayfield’s Stellar Performance

Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers’ quarterback, had an outstanding performance, completing 13 of 16 passes for 129 passing yards. Three touchdowns were scored, two of them courtesy of wide receiver Mike Evans. Mayfield faced seven blitzes out of 15 drop-backs, managing to score all three touchdowns against the blitz. With 11 touchdowns in the first five games, Mayfield is enjoying a career high.

Game Plan’s Major Shortcoming

With Tampa Bay’s linebacker SirVocea Dennis on the bench due to a shoulder injury, the Falcons seized the opportunity to exploit K.J. Britt’s coverage. Britt yielded an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London during the first drive.

Unexpected Defensive Hurdle for the Bucs

In a surprising turn of events, the Bucs’ defense gave up a whopping 550 yards of total offense. Though they made strides in the previous week’s game against the Eagles by reducing missed tackles, they faced challenges when up against the Falcons. They allowed 87 total yards after contact, splitting between 34 on rushes and 53 on receptions, as per our research. The Bucs’ next match is scheduled against the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13.