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The Atlanta Falcons picked up a thrilling 36-30 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime on Thursday.
The Bucs led by three with just a minute and change to play, but Kirk Cousins led the Falcons down the field and into field goal range before Younghoe Koo’s kick sent the game into overtime.
Atlanta ended the game four plays into its first overtime drive as Cousins connected with KhaDarel Hodge on a 45-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown reception for Hodge was just the second of his career.
Cousins was outstanding in the win, putting together one of his best performances in recent memory and finishing with a franchise-record 509 passing yards and four touchdowns, completing 42 of his 58 passes. His 509 passing yards were also a career-high.
On the other side, Baker Mayfield had a strong game as well with 180 passing yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to trump Cousins and the Falcons.
After Cousins’ magical game, fans praised the veteran on social media.
Tony Holzman-Escareno @FrontOfficeNFL
Kirk Cousins had a career-high 509 pass yards in Week 5, the most by any player in the NFL this season.
Cousins is the 13th player in @nfl history with 500+ pass yards and 4+ pass TD in a single game. #RiseUp @AtlantaFalcons @NFLPlus
After starting the year 1-2, the Falcons now have back-to-back wins over a pair of tough NFC South opponents in the New Orleans Saints and the Bucs. Cousins’ huge game will only inspire more confidence in Atlanta as it looks to snap a six-year postseason drought.
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Cousins and the Falcons ran 81 offensive plays, exhausting a beleaguered Bucs defense and setting the stage for a sensational rally. Their final play wa