Cousins throws for 276 yards and 4 TDs as Falcons beat Bucks 31-26 to take control of NFC South

TAMPA, Florida – Kirk Cousins threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns to help the Atlanta Falcons take sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 31-26 victory over the team. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Kyle Pitts scored on receptions of 36 and 49 yards, and Cousins also threw TD passes of 30 yards to Darnell Mooney and 7 yards to Bijan Robinson to give the Falcons (5-3) a two-game sweep of the season between the division rivals. .

Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards and three TDs, but also had a pair of costly interceptions. The Bucs had a chance to win after driving to the Atlanta 33 in the closing seconds, but Mayfield’s Hail Mary throw from 38 was caught by Rakeem Jarrett in the end zone as time expired.

The Falcons improved to 4-0 on NFC South. The Bucs (4-4) also lost in overtime at Atlanta on Oct. 3, 36-30, when Cousins threw for a career-high 509 yards with four TDs.

Mayfield, playing with injured receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, threw a pair of TD passes to Cade Otton, including a 4-yarder that cut what was once a 14-point deficit to 31-26 with just under seven minutes to go. the end The Falcons took the ball away and, with the help of an 18-yard scramble by Cousins and a pair of fourth-down conversions, held the ball until Younggo Koo hit his 46th field goal with 1:01 left.

TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 27: Jalen McMillan #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hits AJ Terrell #24 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Ke

With Godwin out for the season and Evans expected to miss at least three games, the Bucks are hoping Mayfield will be aided by a revamped rushing attack and a largely young playmaking group that includes Otton, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Rachad White and Bucky Irving. keep the Bucs in contention for a fourth consecutive division title.

White scored on an 18-yard reception in the first half, but also lost an early fumble that led to an Atlanta touchdown. Mayfield, who leads the NFL with 21 TD passes, has thrown seven picks in the last three games after just two before Week 5.

Injuries

Falcons: Played without safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) and ILB Troy Andersen (knee), who were inactive. … DL Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) left in the third quarter and did not return. RG Chris Lindstrom (knee) missed time in the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers: WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) left in the second quarter but returned in the second half. … LB Lavonte David (ankle) finished the game after exiting briefly in the fourth quarter.

Further

Falcons: Host Dallas next Sunday.

Buccaneers: At Kansas City next Monday night.

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