While Thursday Night Football games have a reputation for being ugly, low-scoring contests, tonight’s game between the Falcons and Bucs was anything but that. The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-30 in an overtime thriller.
In addition to scoring 66 points, these two teams combined for 883 yards. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was responsible for many of those yards, and his excellent performance was the talk of social media after Atlanta’s big divisional win.
NFL World Celebrates Kirk Cousins’ Monster Game
In his best game since signing with the Falcons over the offseason, Cousins threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns, getting his top three targets involved: Drake London (12 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown), Darnell Mooney (9 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns), and Kyle Pitts (seven catches for 88 yards).
This was just the 27th 500-yard passing game in NFL history, and Cousins’ 509 yards tied for 15th-most in a single game all-time. This is what Falcons fans envisioned when Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract over the offseason, and they were having a blast celebrating with the veteran quarterback after the win.
Last week, Cousins said he loved the “Swag Surfin'” dance that Atlanta fans do in the fourth quarter. “This is pretty sweet,” he told reporters.
After tonight’s win, Cousins led the crowd in the “Swag Surfin'” dance.
SWAG & SURF KIRKO pic.twitter.com/jgTxHMGYlI
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 4, 2024
Cousins was having a lot of fun after the game, as he also called back to his most famous postgame celebration: “You like that?!” Interestingly, that clutch win was also against the Buccaneers back in 2015.
The Bucs were up 24-0 in the second quarter of that game, but Cousins led Washington to a comeback 31-30 win. After another come-from-behind victory over the Bucs, Cousins repeated his catchphrase — this time to Falcons owner Arthur Blank and his teammates.
A perfect celebration in the locker room for the @AtlantaFalcons! pic.twitter.com/cdQ8ijkXir
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
London also got in on the fun, shouting “YOU LIKE THAT?!” as he ran into the locker room. He also shouted out Cousins’ alter ego, “Kirko Chains.”
London had a monster performance of his own, with 12 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown. He might have put up even more yards, but he left the game twice with injuries. He was clearly feeling fine after the win, though.
MORE: Falcons vs. Buccaneers Box Score, Player Stats, and Game Recap
It certainly seems like Cousins and London are getting on the same page now that they’ve had a month to learn each other’s tendencies.
“YOU LIKE THAT??? I FEEL LIKE KIRKO CHAINS!” Drake London 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/O00BOjbFgk
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) October 4, 2024
After the win, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that this victory was for legendary Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who was honored by the team at halftime. Morris said that the team wanted to win this game for Ryan.
Ryan was inducted into the Falcons’ Ring of Honor, and it was a great evening to be honored. Ryan is arguably the best player in franchise history, as he is a former NFL MVP, led Atlanta to a Super Bowl, and finished his career with 62,792 passing yards (seventh in NFL history) and 381 passing touchdowns (ninth in NFL history).
"First of all, that was for Matt Ryan. That team wanted that for Matt."
–Raheem Morris pic.twitter.com/pmVbbGwdUu— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) October 4, 2024
While this finish was heartbreaking for Buccaneers fans, fantasy managers who were tuning in for Thursday’s night game likely came away happy, as nearly every star player in the game had a huge performance.
Both quarterbacks put up big numbers, and the top receiving options on both teams also balled out (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin for the Bucs and London, Mooney, and Pitts for the Falcons). Running backs Bijan Robinson and Rachaad White didn’t have big performances, but they were solid as well.
The players on both teams combined for a whopping 282.26 fantasy points tonight!
Tampa Bay and Atlanta players combined to score 282.26 fantasy points scored tonight 😲
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 4, 2024
While many Thursday Night Football games are forgettable and leave viewers regretting that they tuned in, tonight’s showdown between the Bucs and Falcons was certainly memorable and worth the watch.
“Dad, tell me about that TNF game between Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield” pic.twitter.com/CcITYExsrz
— oddschecker (@oddscheckerUS) October 4, 2024
Tampa Bay and Atlanta will face off next on Sunday, Oct. 27, in Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
This rematch will be the Bucs’ Creamsicle game, where they’ll be wearing their orange-and-white throwbacks and have the field painted with their old Bucco Bruce logo.
Tampa Bay will certainly be looking for revenge, and that will be a game they have circled on their calander since the Falcons seem like their biggest competition in the NFC South.
