Falcons stun Bucs in overtime behind Kirk Cousins’ franchise-record 509 passing yards

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins handed for 509 passing yards on Thursday evening, breaking the workforce’s single-game franchise report, whereas main a 36-30 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Cousins broke the report on an evening the place the Falcons honored former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan, who beforehand held the report with 448. 

Backup broad receiver KhaDarel Hodge got here onto the sphere in extra time to exchange an injured participant and surprised the Buccaneers on a 45-yard landing. 

“God is actual, God is sweet, I pray for this,” Hodge mentioned on the Amazon Prime broadcast after the sport. “God was on my facet, I simply did what I needed to do.”

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws a cross towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the first half of an NFL soccer sport Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta.  (AP Photograph/John Bazemore)

The Falcons had appeared to blow an opportunity at pulling off a win a number of occasions late within the sport. 

Atlanta trailed Tampa by simply three factors, 30-27, throughout an Atlanta drive within the fourth quarter. However a Kirk Cousins cross that was delivered completely to broad receiver Darnell Moody on third down was dropped. If Moody made the catch, it might have put the Falcons within the Buccaneers’ crimson zone, or extra. 

After the drop, Falcons kicker Yonghoe Koo had a 54-yard discipline aim attempt blocked.

The Falcons received the ball again once more, down simply three factors after Buccaneers working again Bucky Irving fumbled deep inside Atlanta territory on the following drive. However that drive went nowhere, as Cousins threw an interception on a fourth down conversion try. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM STRANDED IN BUSES ON FLOODED INTERSTATE AMID HURRICANE HELENE DESTRUCTION

KhaDarel Hodge (12) of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after recovering a fumble within the endzone for a landing towards the New Orleans Saints throughout the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs)

The Falcons received the ball again once more for yet another probability to tie or win the sport, nonetheless simply down three with over a minute on the clock when Tampa punted after dropping 14 years on the following drive. 

Cousins led the Falcons again into field-goal vary and clocked the ball with only one second remaining. A delay of sport penalty prolonged Koo’s discipline aim attempt to 52 yards, however he nailed it to ship the sport to extra time. 

The Falcons then received the ball to begin extra time, and Cousins put the offense in Tampa Bay territory on an 18-yard cross to Drake London. London was injured on the play, forcing Hodge to return off the bench and into the sport in London’s place. The landing cross went to him on the very subsequent play. 

The Falcons emerged victorious in a sport between two groups representing states severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

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Atlanta Falcons broad receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) celebrates his landing off a New Orleans Saints fumble throughout the first half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photograph/Butch Dill)

Georgia and Florida are among the many states most devastated by Helene’s destruction. The storm’s demise toll as of Thursday rose to 33 in Georgia with $417 million in injury.

Florida has seen a number of cities almost worn out, together with the city of Clearwater Seaside.

Forward of the sport, the 2 quarterbacks of the respective groups, Cousins and Baker Mayfield, introduced they are going to every donate $50,000 to Workforce Rubicon to assist these affected by Hurricane Helene.

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