With only moments left in the “Thursday Night Football” contest between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kirk Cousins threw an interception on a critical fourth-and-15, leading many to think the game was lost.

Though Atlanta had all three timeouts available, the situation seemed dire with just 1:44 left in the game and the Buccaneers already in field goal position.

However, Atlanta’s defense stepped up, halting Tampa Bay’s march down the field. They forced the Buccaneers out of field goal range, leaving them to protect a slim three-point lead with only 1:14 on the clock.

The Falcons raced against the clock to tie the game, advancing quickly. Cousins connected with Drake London for a 14-yard gain with merely 12 seconds remaining.

Cousins managed a spike with just one second left, allowing Younghoe Koo to attempt a 52-yard game-tying field goal, which he successfully made, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Falcons’ offense maintained its momentum, covering 70 yards in just four plays to clinch the 36-30 victory.

Cousins had a standout performance, setting a Falcons record with 509 passing yards, in addition to four touchdowns and one interception. This 500-yard game marked just the 25th occurrence in NFL history and helped place the Falcons in early contention for the NFC South lead.

Falcons vs. Buccaneers highlights

Kirk Cousins achieved a personal-best of 509 passing yards, including 45 yards for the decisive touchdown to KhaDarel Hodge, leading the Falcons to victory over the Buccaneers.

Falcons 36, Buccaneers 30: Kirk Cousins connects with KhaDarel Hodge for the game-winning 45-yard touchdown

The Falcons secured the win by landing a game-tying field goal in the last second and easily drove 70 yards to score the winning touchdown in overtime.

Kirk Cousins concluded the game with 509 passing yards and four touchdowns, setting a Falcons record and marking just the 25th time a quarterback achieved over 500 yards in an NFL game.

Drake London catches an 18-yard pass but exits injured after tackle by Zyon McCollum

Kirk Cousins found Drake London on a critical third-and-3 play for a first down in overtime. Although London crossed into Buccaneers territory, he was hit hard by Zyon McCollum and briefly remained down before leaving the field on his own.

He will be absent for at least one play, having recorded 12 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown in this game.

A Brief Overview of NFL Overtime Rules

Here’s a quick rundown of the standard rules governing NFL overtime during the regular season:

• One 10-minute period will be played to determine the winner.
• Both teams must get a possession of the ball unless the first team to receive it scores a touchdown or is tackled for a safety.
• Each team is permitted two timeouts.
• No PAT attempt is conducted if the game concludes with a touchdown.
• If teams remain tied after the additional period, the game is recorded as a tie.

Falcons win the coin toss for OT

During the overtime coin toss, the Buccaneers called tails, but it turned up heads. This means Atlanta will receive the ball first in the overtime period, signaling a chance for them to claim victory with a touchdown.

Buccaneers 30, Falcons 30: Younghoe Koo converts a 52-yard field goal to equalize

The Falcons, against all odds, managed to reach field goal range as Kirk Cousins spiked the ball with just one second left. Younghoe Koo prepared to kick a 47-yard field goal but the Falcons were penalized for delay of game.

Undeterred, Koo nailed the 52-yard attempt, and we are headed to overtime.

Buccaneers lose yardage and punt after series of setbacks

Instead of capitalizing on their field goal opportunity, Tampa Bay faced a series of negative plays and a holding call, resulting in a loss of 14 yards on their possession.

The Falcons regained possession at their own 20-yard line with 1:12 left and no remaining timeouts as they sought to get into field goal range and extend the game.

Kirk Cousins is intercepted on a fourth-and-15 attempt

Following a fumble recovery by Atlanta, they could not gain momentum. Tyler Allgeier suffered a 2-yard loss, and Kirk Cousins was subsequently sacked before they could manage any offense, leading to a fourth-and-15 situation.

The Falcons opted for a risky play instead of punting, but Cousins’ throw found Lavonte David in double coverage for an interception.

This left the Falcons to burn their timeouts to regain possession, but even if successful, the Buccaneers would have the opportunity for a field goal.

Bucky Irving fumbles after consecutive first downs by Buccaneers

The Buccaneers secured two conversions on third-and-2 after a missed field goal by Atlanta, appearing to be set to run down the clock. However, rookie running back Irving had the ball stripped by veteran safety Jessie Bates.

The Falcons recovered the fumble, giving them under three minutes to engineer either a game-equalizing or game-winning drive.

Falcons’ 54-yard field goal attempt gets blocked after Darnell Mooney drops a wide-open pass on third down

The Falcons appeared poised for a first down, possibly a touchdown, when Kirk Cousins threw a perfect pass to Darnell Mooney, but Mooney failed to secure the catch.

the experienced receiver on third-and-8. However, Mooney surprisingly missed the catch, which led the Falcons to attempt a game-tying field goal from 54 yards out.

Younghoe Koo missed his second attempt of the game, as the Buccaneers successfully blocked it. Tampa Bay regained possession with good field position, holding a three-point lead and 6:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers 30, Falcons 27: Chase McLaughlin converts a 53-yard field goal

The Buccaneers reclaimed the lead, thanks to another long-range kick from Chase McLaughlin. Baker Mayfield played a crucial part in that drive, making a scrambling run for 18 yards that took Tampa Bay past midfield and securing a few more yards on third down to position McLaughlin for the kick.

Now, the Falcons will receive the ball, trailing by three with 10:23 left in the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers 27, Falcons 27: Atlanta levels the score with Darnell Mooney’s TD

The Falcons faced a setback with a 2-yard loss on a third-and-2 run from Tyler Allgeier, but chose to go for it on fourth-and-4. They hurried their offensive play and Kirk Cousins connected with Darnell Mooney for a first down past the markers. Mooney evaded a defender and ran into the end zone, completing an eight-play, 70-yard drive.

Younghoe Koo successfully kicked the extra point, bringing the score to 27-27.

Buccaneers maintain slim lead entering fourth quarter

The Falcons made some significant gains as the third quarter concluded, with Ray-Ray McCloud securing a 22-yard catch and Bijan Robinson charging forward with a 29-yard rush, placing Atlanta on Tampa Bay’s 17-yard line.

Despite trailing, the Falcons have outperformed the Buccaneers in total yardage, 379-271, and need to find the end zone quickly to overcome Tampa Bay’s lead.

Buccaneers 27, Falcons 20: Tampa Bay adds field goal

The Buccaneers finally scored in the second half as Chase McLaughlin successfully kicked a 32-yard field goal, increasing Tampa Bay’s lead to 27-20.

More importantly, Baker Mayfield suffered an awkward fall after being tackled by the Falcons. He twisted awkwardly over a player on the ground and seemed to favor his leg as he exited the field.

Thankfully, Mayfield walked off under his own power and remained on the bench, indicating that there is likely no serious concern.

Kirk Cousins’ statistics for the evening

Cousins is impressing in his “TNF” debut with the Falcons, completing 26 of 36 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns, with 6:21 left in the third quarter.

Having a career-high passing yardage of 460, Cousins may have a shot at approaching that record if he continues performing well against the Buccaneers.

Buccaneers 24, Falcons 20: Falcons reduce deficit

Younghoe Koo is making up for his earlier 41-yard miss by successfully kicking a field goal from 48 yards out after the Falcons put together a solid drive, though they were hindered by an unfortunate offensive pass interference call.

Kirk Cousins has surpassed 300 passing yards, but he’d likely trade some of those yards for a touchdown drive instead.

Buccaneers forced to punt after penalty confusion

Tampa Bay struggled on their opening drive of the second half, hindered by a penalty and a two-yard loss on a Rachaad White screen pass. They had a chance to be salvaged by a penalty called on Antonio Hamilton, but the flag was rescinded, as Hamilton made a hit on Baker Mayfield just before he stepped out of bounds on a third-and-20 play.

The Falcons will take over at their own 21-yard line, looking to build on their successful offense from the first half.

Buccaneers lead at halftime

The Falcons had an opportunity for a 56-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining in the half but chose to punt instead of risking the long attempt, which allowed the Buccaneers to head into halftime with a seven-point advantage.

Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins are both performing admirably; Mayfield has three touchdowns while Cousins passed for 253 yards in the first half. Either player could potentially achieve a record-breaking performance if they maintain their current pace into the second half.

As the second half kicks off, the Buccaneers have the chance to expand their lead over the Falcons.

Buccaneers 24, Falcons 17: Baker Mayfield connects with Sterling Shepard for third TD

Baker Mayfield threw to his former teammate at Oklahoma, Sterling Shepard, in a tight coverage to secure the Buccaneers’ third touchdown of the first half. With all three touchdowns thrown by Mayfield and 131 passing yards under his belt, Tampa Bay is now ahead 24-17. The Falcons have 1:56 left in the second quarter and three timeouts to respond.

Rachaad White makes a 56-yard run

Rachaad White struggled early, managing just five yards on his first four carries. However, on his next attempt, he hit a big gap in the defense and ran for 56 yards before a Falcons player brought him down, creating another scoring chance for the Buccaneers.

Buccaneers 17, Falcons 17: Younghoe Koo nails a 54-yard kick

After earlier missing a field goal attempt from 41 yards, Younghoe Koo successfully made a 54-yarder, just sneaking it inside the left upright.

The score is now tied at 17 with 6:17 left in the second quarter between the Falcons and Buccaneers.

Drake London returns to the game

Drake London was assessed for a head injury but has been cleared to return. He is back on the field, meaning the Falcons will have their star wide receiver available for the remainder of the “Thursday Night Football” game, barring any issues. Unfortunately, the Falcons did lose cornerback Dee Alford for the remainder of the game due to a concussion.

Buccaneers 17, Falcons 14: Mike Evans reaches 100th career TD

The Buccaneers responded swiftly to Atlanta’s score, taking less than two minutes to capitalize. Baker Mayfield connected with Mike Evans along the left sideline for a 23-yard touchdown. Evans celebrated by throwing the football representing his 100th touchdown into the crowd for excited Buccaneers fans. The moment echoed past milestone touchdowns in his career.

He did something similar with a milestone football from Tom Brady during the 2021 season.

Tampa Bay’s impressive 44-yard drive was aided by an excellent kick return from Sean Tucker, who carried the ball all the way to Atlanta’s 44-yard line, placing the Buccaneers in prime scoring position.

Update on Drake London’s Injury

Drake London received a blow to the head from K.J. Britt during the Falcons’ touchdown drive and is currently being assessed for a head injury. He was seen receiving treatment in the medical tent before returning to the Falcons’ locker room.

Falcons 14, Buccaneers 10: Darnell Mooney Scores 25-Yard Touchdown on Third Down

Kirk Cousins threw a precise pass to Darnell Mooney in a tight spot, and the rookie Falcon successfully secured the catch just beyond the goal line, putting Atlanta back in the lead at 14-10.

Currently, Cousins has completed 12 of 15 attempts for 176 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, with plenty of time left in the second quarter (11:58).

K.J. Britt Penalized for Unnecessary Roughness after Head Hit on Drake London

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Buccaneers were penalized for just the second time in the game. K.J. Britt struck Drake London while he was running across the field, unintentionally hitting him in the head with his shoulder.

The officials called Britt for the foul, providing the Falcons with a 15-yard gain and a first down. Meanwhile, London made his way to the bench on his own, likely seeking medical assistance.

Buccaneers Lead at the End of the First Quarter

Both the Falcons and Buccaneers have started strong offensively. Together, they scored 17 points and gained 223 yards in the first quarter, with Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins both excelling in their passing efforts.

Interestingly, the starting running backs of both teams were outperformed by their backups in the initial quarter. Bucky Irving exceeded Rachaad White, gaining 16 yards on one carry compared to White’s 6 yards on two carries, while Tyler Allgeier managed 8 yards on a single carry against Bijan Robinson’s 12 yards on five carries.

Although it’s early, Younghoe Koo’s missed field goal could prove significant if the game becomes a close, high-scoring affair.

Buccaneers 10, Falcons 7: Tampa Bay Converts 53-Yard Field Goal

The Buccaneers’ second drive stalled, reminiscent of Atlanta’s earlier drive. Baker Mayfield’s third-down attempt to connect with Chris Godwin fell short, prompting a long field goal attempt by Chase McLaughlin.

McLaughlin successfully made the kick, unlike Younghoe Koo, giving the Buccaneers their first lead of the game.

Kirk Cousins’ Performance

Kirk Cousins has made a solid start against the Buccaneers, going 7-for-8 for 108 yards and a touchdown across the team’s first two offensive drives. With still 3:30 remaining in the first quarter, he looks set for a standout first half.

Falcons Miss 41-Yard Field Goal Following Kirk Cousins Sack

Vita Vea managed to sack Kirk Cousins on third-and-5 during the Falcons’ second drive, overpowering running back Bijan Robinson to tackle Atlanta’s quarterback.

Younghoe Koo came out for a 46-yard field goal attempt but missed. Although he received another chance due to an offsides penalty against Tampa Bay, he still sent the next kick wide left from 41 yards, leaving the score at 7-all as the Buccaneers prepare to take over at their own 31-yard line.

Buccaneers 7, Falcons 7: Baker Mayfield Connects with Mike Evans to Equalize

The Buccaneers quickly matched the Falcons’ scoring drive. On a first-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Baker Mayfield found Mike Evans open in the center of the end zone. The play-action fooled Atlanta’s defenders, resulting in an equalizing touchdown.

Mayfield completed 5 of 6 passes during the drive for 57 yards, targeting Evans primarily, who caught three passes for 26 yards and the touchdown.

Falcons 7, Buccaneers 0: Kirk Cousins and Drake London Connect for the First Score

The Falcons launched their offense with vigor, executing a seven-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown. Kirk Cousins passed to Drake London in the center of the field, allowing the talented receiver to bounce off a tackle and reach the end zone for the first points of the game.

Younghoe Koo successfully converted the extra point, making the score 7-0 early in Atlanta.

Kyle Pitts Secures 32-Yard Catch on the Game’s Opening Pass

Kyle Pitts had his first game without a catch in Week 4, but the Falcons quickly targeted him downfield with a pass that placed Atlanta right on the outer edge of Younghoe Koo’s field goal range.

Game Time for Falcons vs. Buccaneers

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The matchup between the Falcons and Buccaneers is set to commence Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season with “Thursday Night Football” kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Where to Watch Falcons vs. Buccaneers

• Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
• TV channel: Fox 13 (Tampa Bay market) | Fox 5 (Atlanta market)

“Thursday Night Football” will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

Viewers in the Tampa Bay area can tune in on Fox 13, while those in Atlanta can catch the action on Fox 5.

Catch “Thursday Night Football” with your Prime Video subscription

Did Matt Ryan Retire?

Yes, Matt Ryan announced his retirement from the NFL during the offseason. He signed a one-day contract to retire as a Falcon, having played 14 seasons with the team and earning NFL MVP honors in 2016.

Ryan is set to be honored in the Falcons’ Ring of Honor during halftime of Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers.

Predictions and Picks for Buccaneers at Falcons

Here are the staff predictions from YSL News Sports for the “Thursday Night Football” contest for Week 5:

• Lorenzo Reyes: Buccaneers 23, Falcons 17
• Tyler Dragon: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 21
• Jordan Mendoza: Buccaneers 20, Falcons 18

‘Thursday Night Football’ Broadcast Team for Amazon Prime Video

Al Michaels will be handling the play-by-play commentary.

Kirk Herbstreit will serve as an analyst in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, joined by Kaylee Hartung on the sidelines and Terry McAulay as the rules analyst.

Charissa Thompson will host the pregame, halftime, and postgame shows on Prime Video, featuring former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman, and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.

Taylor Rooks is the main reporter covering “Thursday Night Football” for Prime Video, while Albert Breer will provide additional reports and analysis.

Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Players Not Active

The Buccaneers will miss Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) and starting right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion) during tonight’s game. On the Falcons side, linebacker Troy Andersen, who scored a pick-six in their recent victory over the Saints, is out due to a knee injury.

Inactive Players for the Buccaneers:

• TE Devin Clup
• OT Luke Goedeke
• DL Calijah Kancey
• WR Jalen McMillan
• WR Trey Palmer
• S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Inactive Players for the Falcons:

• RB Jase McClellan
• LB Troy Andersen
• DL Brandon Dorlus
• OL Jovaughn Gwyn
• OL Elijah Wilkinson
• OT Brandon Parker
• DL Kentavius Street

Odds for Falcons vs. Buccaneers

According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Falcons are favored to win against the Buccaneers. Interested in betting? Check out the top mobile sports betting apps offering NFL promotions in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.

• Spread: Falcons (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Falcons (-125); Buccaneers (+105)
• Over/under: 43.5

Not keen on this matchup? You can find more about NFL betting odds, picks, and spreads in our guide that includes “Sunday Night Football” and “Monday Night Football” odds.

If you’re new to sports betting, our readers at YSL News can take advantage of exclusive promotions and bonus codes from the top online sportsbooks and betting sites.

Is Kyle Pitts a Disappointment? A Look at His Stats

Kyle Pitts showed promise early in his NFL career, having had a remarkable 1,000-yard season as a rookie at just 21 years old, setting expectations for continued growth.

However, he has struggled to replicate that level of success. Initially, many pointed to former Falcons coach Arthur Smith as the reason, but Pitts’ performance has not improved under the new coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, despite the addition of Kirk Cousins—his best quarterback since Matt Ryan in 2021.

Standings in the NFC South

The Buccaneers are currently leading the NFC South as they head into the “TNF” matchup this week. If the Falcons secure a victory tonight, they will join the top spot.

• Buccaneers: 3-1
• Falcons: 2-2
• Saints: 2-2
• Panthers: 1-3

Weather Update for Falcons vs. Buccaneers

The Falcons will have the roof open during their Week 5 game against the Buccaneers. Tonight’s weather in Atlanta is expected to be pleasant, with a kickoff temperature reaching 76 degrees and dropping to 71 degrees by midnight.

The Weather Channel reports light winds of up to 5 mph with less than a 5% chance of rain during the game.

• Discover which NFL stadiums rank from 1 to 30: Find out which one was voted the best!

History of Falcons vs. Buccaneers

The two teams first clashed in the 1977 NFL season, where Atlanta emerged victorious with a score of 17-0. Overall, they have competed in 61 games against each other, with Tampa Bay slightly leading the divisional rivalry at 31-30. Since 2020, the Buccaneers have won six of the last eight encounters.

NFC South Odds: Falcons vs. Buccaneers Showdown on ‘TNF’

The NFC South has been one of the weaker divisions in the NFL in recent seasons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers achieved three consecutive titles in the NFC South.

The Saints started strong but have not performed consistently lately. The Panthers appeared to struggle until Bryce Young was benched, but have shown some offensive improvement with Andy Dalton stepping in as quarterback.

As of now, the Atlanta Falcons are regarded as the favorites in the NFC South odds as they gear up for their divisional battle against the Buccaneers on “Thursday Night Football” during Week 5.

Top Paid Players in the NFL by Position

Here’s a complete list of the highest earners at every position:

• Quarterbacks
• Running backs
• Wide receivers
• Tight ends
• Offensive tackles
• Offensive guards
• Centers
• Edge rushers
• Interior defensive linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks
• Safeties
• Kickers
• Punters