Atlanta Falcons (3-2) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2): 36-30 ap
When the Falcons win this year, they have a sense of suspense. When Kirk Cousins (42/58, 509 yards, 4 TDs, 1 int) was intercepted 1mn52 from the end while his team was trailing by three points (27-30), all seemed lost.
Except this Atlanta 2024 team likes crazy endings to games. So the defense quickly stopped the Buccaneers. And with just over a minute remaining, Cousins led his team to the equalizing kick, scored from 52 yards by Younghoe Koo.
In overtime, once the draw was won, the Falcons finished the job directly. Four passes, 70 yards, and a 45-length touchdown signed KhaDarel Hodge to snatch the victory at the end of the suspense.
ITS OVER FOLKS! @ATLANTAFALCONS WIN! pic.twitter.com/0siBNxaHKQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Kirk Cousins goes to bed with a career-high 509 yards thrown. And his team now has a positive balance sheet.
The Buccaneers started better…
With three touchdowns in the first half, Baker Mayfield (19/24, 180 yards, 3 TDs) could have thought he had done the hardest part. The Buccaneers quarterback delivered a good offensive score, helped by the eternal Mike Evans (5 rec, 62 yards, 2 TDs), but also Sterling Shepard (1 rec, 4 yards, 1 TD).
Especially since after a successful first offensive and capped by a touchdown from Drake London (12 rec, 154 yards, 1 TD), the Falcons slowed down. At the break, it's 24-17 for Tampa. Atlanta is not dropped, but as the defense does not hold up, the advantage seems more to the Floridians.
But the Falcons didn't give up
Except that this Falcons defense finally raises its head after the break. The two teams only score one field goal each in the third quarter (20-27). But it's in the last period that everything comes to a head.
Darnell Mooney (9 rec, 105 yards, 2 TDs) equalizes thanks to his second touchdown of the evening (27-27). Tampa responds on foot (27-30), then blocking a field goal attempt from Koo.
The Buccaneers have the ball and are running the clock. Except Bucky Brooks loses it! The match descends into madness. Cousins is intercepted, but the defense comes to save him once again, with the help of the referees who forget to whistle a facemask on Bucky Irving. This is where Cousins will look for the equalizer then the victory, helped by the tackles that the Tampa defense began to miss.
The good news of the night is that the Falcons offense is showing longer and longer flashes of its potential. Even Kyle Pitts (7 rec, 88 yards) finally had a role in the party!
Falcons and Buccaneers are now tied at the top of an NFC South division that promises suspense until the end.
