Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Atlanta stuns Tampa Bay in OT in huge ...

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Buccaneers vs Falcons Atlanta stuns Tampa Bay in OT in huge

Kirk Cousins had 509 passing yards for the Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons were down three points, with less than two minutes left and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in possession of the ball. You'll never guess what happened next.

After a furious drive to send the game to OT, the Falcons stunned their NFC South foes on a 45-yard KhaDarel Hodge touchdown to win 36-30. The biggest star of the night: Kirk Cousins, who shook off a slow start to his Falcons tenure with one of the biggest nights of his career.

The former Minnesota Vikings starter finished 42-of-58 for 509 passing yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He picked the Bucs apart in the drive to force OT, then hammered them again after the Falcons won the second coin toss.

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The Falcons' comeback erased an excellent night for Baker Mayfield, who was 19-of-24 for 180 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Tampa Bay run game also combined for 160 yards on 26 attempts. But some late missteps spelled doom for a team that no longer leads the NFC South.

Here's how it all played out on Yahoo Sports.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER69 updates

Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:34 AM GMT+2

Kirk Cousins: 42-of-58 for 509 yards, four touchdowns and a pick, plus a game-tying drive with a minute left and no timeouts then the game-winning drive. It's been a rough start for him, but he made a statement tonight.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:33 AM GMT+2

TOUCHDOWN: Falcons stun the Bucs in OT

KhaDarel Hodge breaks a tackle and finds an opening the Tampa Bay defense to steal a win. What an ending, what a game.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:32 AM GMT+2

Uh oh. Drake London made a big catch on third down, but he's still down after taking a big hit. He was evaluated for a concussion earlier this game.

He's at 154 yards now, but that may be it.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:30 AM GMT+2

Falcons win the toss to open OT and can win it here.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:28 AM GMT+2
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:26 AM GMT+2

The Falcons get called for delay of game, pushing Koo's attempt to 52 yards. He makes it.

To overtime we go.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:24 AM GMT+2

Another pass to London gains 15 yards and Kirk Cousins spikes the ball with one second left. In comes Younghoe Koo to force OT.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:21 AM GMT+2

The Falcons are in Tampa Bay territory...
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:19 AM GMT+2

The Falcons get the stop and the ball back, but burn through three timeouts. They'll take over on their own 20 with 1:14 left and three points to score.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:14 AM GMT+2

INTERCEPTION: Bucs get the pick on 4th-and-15

The Falcons do go for it and... Kirk Cousins throws a pick to Lavonte David. Atlanta still has three timeouts, but the Bucs are sitting pretty here.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:12 AM GMT+2

We've reached the two-minute warning, with the Falcons facing a 4th-and-15 and 80 yards from the end zone. Do they go for it?
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:10 AM GMT+2

TURNOVER: Falcons recover a Bucky Irving fumble

Just as it was looking bleak, Jessie Bates punches the ball out of Bucs rookie Bucky Irving's hands and the Falcons recover it. The Falcons get the ball back in their territory with 2:50 left and down by three.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:02 AM GMT+2

This can't happen in this situation.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 5:02 AM GMT+2

Oh, that was a brutal drop from Darnell Mooney. Kirk Cousins throws him wide open on 3rd-and-6 and he just whiffs on the catch. And now the Falcons' 54-yard field goal attempt is blocked.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:59 AM GMT+2

Drake London is up to eight catches on nine targets for a season-high 110 yards and a touchdown.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:57 AM GMT+2

Kirk Cousins' third down pass intended for Mooney falls incomplete. Bucs defender got there too early though. That's DPI. New life for the Falcons.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:50 AM GMT+2

FIELD GOAL: Chase McLaughlin good from 53 to give Bucs the lead

The Bucs are on top again as McLaughlin remains automatic. Now to see how the Falcons respond.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:43 AM GMT+2

4th-down risk pays off with a Falcons TD

Falcons were running the ball well, but stalled out at the Tampa Bay 12 after Tyler Allgeier was tackled for a 2-yard loss.

But Atlanta decides to go for it on 4th-and-4 and Kirk Cousins hits Darnell Mooney for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Mooney had the first down, but then turned to shake off Tykee Smith and got to the end zone.

We are tied 27–27.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:35 AM GMT+2

Tampa Bay 27, Atlanta 20 after 3 quarters

The Falcons finish off the 3rd quarter strong with a 22-yard catch and run by Ray Ray McCloud, followed by a 29-yard dash by Bijan Robinson.

Atlanta is at the Tampa Bay 46-yard line as the fourth quarter begins.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:29 AM GMT+2

FIELD GOAL: Buccaneers respond with their own FG, but Baker Mayfield may be hurt

The Buccaneers have had little trouble moving the ball tonight. They respond to the Falcons FG with a nine-play, 56-yard drive, but finish short of another TD. Baker Mayfield also limped off the field after taking a third-down sack.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:18 AM GMT+2

FIELD GOAL: Falcons cut the deficit

Younghoe Koo is good from 48 yards after a 12-play drive for the Falcons. We've still got a game.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 4:05 AM GMT+2

Odd play. Baker Mayfield scrambles and runs out-of-bounds short of a first down, but takes a hit as he goes out and picks up the flag. The refs pick the flag up, though, so the Bucs will punt on the first drive of the second half.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:59 AM GMT+2
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:45 AM GMT+2

HALFTIME: Bucs 24, Falcons 17

The Falcons punt in Tampa Bay territory after their drive stalls out. Looks like the Bucs will enter the locker room up by a touchdown, and will get the ball back to open the second half.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:37 AM GMT+2

Hardly saw Baker Mayfield throwing on the move last week against the Eagles but a ton of it this week as he connects with Sterling Shepard for a 4-yard touchdown. Mayfield said last week that his old Sooners buddy "has a few screws loose" (and he likes it). Shepard totally agreed

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:36 AM GMT+2

TOUCHDOWN: Sterling Shepard scores two days after signing

Sterling Shepard has been on the Bucs' 53-man roster for two days and has his first touchdown with the team. His college teammate Baker Mayfield is now 12-for-15 for 131 yards and three touchdowns.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:34 AM GMT+2

Falcons five secondary members are huddled trying to sort out some things during the two-minute warning. Tampa Bay has third-and-goal from the 4 when the break is over.

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:29 AM GMT+2

That's our third suspected concussion of the game.

Buccaneers S Tykee Smith is being evaluated for a concussion.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:29 AM GMT+2

Big BIG run for Rachaad White. He's been off to a rough start this season but breaks off a 56-yarder on a well-blocked inside run.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:26 AM GMT+2

FIELD GOAL: Younghoe Koo good from 54 yards

Apparently 50-yard field goals are just a gimme in the NFL now. We've got another tie game.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:21 AM GMT+2

Aaand the call is upheld. Falcons ball, 2nd-and-20, 7:35 left in the half, Drake London back.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:20 AM GMT+2

A lot happening on that play. Hard to see this going the Bucs' way but you never know
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:19 AM GMT+2

Drake London just sprinted out of the Atlanta locker room.

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:13 AM GMT+2

The Falcons might be facing a shootout without their top receiving weapon.

No announcement on London yet but I don't see him on the sideline and KhaDarel Hodge is strapping his helmet up. London was being evaluated for a concussion.

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:12 AM GMT+2

TOUCHDOWN: Mike Evans scores his 100th TD

Mike Evans, again. It's the 99th touchdown catch of his career and his 100th touchdown overall .It's also his NFL-best fifth of the season.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:09 AM GMT+2

Tampa Bay starts in its territory after big kickoff return. Atlanta's offense is waking up, but Falcons defense and special teams not playing to their regular level.

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:06 AM GMT+2

Kirk is looking good.

Kirk Cousins (276) just passed Vinny Testaverde (275) for 18th all-time in passing TDs.

He is 12-of-15 tonight for 176 passing yards and two TDs.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:05 AM GMT+2

TOUCHDOWN: Kirk Cousins finds Darnell Mooney on 3rd-and-14

The Falcons might be down their No. 1 receiver in Drake London, but they still have Darnell Mooney. He makes a spectacular catch from 25 yards out.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:04 AM GMT+2

#Falcons CB Dee Alford (concussion) OUT. WR Drake London being evaluated for a concussion.

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:01 AM GMT+2

Drake London is in the blue medical tent and they took his helmet after personal foul hit to the head. Usual sign that he’s been evaluated for a concussion.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 3:00 AM GMT+2

Drake London takes a hit to the helmet and draws an unnecessary roughness penalty. He looked a little foggy walking to the sideline.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:56 AM GMT+2

Bucs have exclusively been in zone so far and Kirk is 8-of-9 for 115 yards and a TD.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:52 AM GMT+2

FIELD GOAL: Bucs take the lead on a 53-yarder

Chase McLaughlin makes his fourth 50-yard field goal out of four this season, a year after going 7-of-8 from the same range. It's his 26th straight regular season make, a Bucs record.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:49 AM GMT+2

This defense may be the league's best on limiting explosives of 20+ yards, but these pickups of 15ish every few plays by the Bucs are keeping them on the field.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:48 AM GMT+2

Dee Alford into the locker room for the Falcons.

Antonio Hamilton Sr. is taking over at nickel corner.

— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:46 AM GMT+2

Rough end to the drive for the Falcons there. After the Vea sack, Younghoe Koo misses a 46-yard FG, gets a second try thanks to an offside penalty, then misses a 41-yarder.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:44 AM GMT+2

A 3rd-and-5 at the edge of the red zone for the Falcons ends with a Vita Vea sack.

Having Bijan Robinson pick up Vita Vea could not have been the plan there.

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:41 AM GMT+2

Falcons CB Dee Alford has a head injury and is questionable to return.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) October 4, 2024
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:36 AM GMT+2

TOUCHDOWN: Mike Evans ties it with wide-open catch

Mike Evans has 10 consecutive 1000-yard seasons. So you probably want to cover him in the end zone. Looks like the Falcons defense just lost him. Tie game.
Fri, October 4, 2024 at 2:34 AM GMT+2

After 15-yard-plus passes to Cade Otton and Chris Godwin, the Bucs are down to the Falcons' 1.