Kirk Cousins turns back the clock, leads Falcons to comeback victory over Bucs on TNF

Jake Mozarsky

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Kirk Cousins turns back the clock, leads Falcons to comeback victory over Bucs on TNF image

After being benched in the 2024 season, Kirk Cousins asserted that “I didn’t forget how to play quarterback,” a visibly raw moment captured in Netflix's "Quarterback" documentary. Thursday night, the veteran quarterback proved that statement true in the most dramatic fashion possible on "Thursday Night Football."

Trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-14 in the fourth quarter -- in a game that saw his Falcons rack up a historic 19 penalties for 125 yards -- Cousins mounted one of the most improbable comebacks of his career, culminating in a stunning 29-28 victory as the clock hit zero.

After leading two touchdown drives and then getting the ball back with less than two minutes remaining and no timeouts, Cousins engineered a masterful drive that included an incredible fourth-and-14 conversion -- a 21-yard dart to David Sills V -- to move the Falcons into range for Zane Gonzalez's game-winning field goal. Cousins finished the night having thrown three touchdowns to a record-setting Kyle Pitts, and for the second straight year walked off the Buccaneers in primetime.

Here's more on Cousins' vintage performance.

MORE: How Kirk Cousins and the Falcons shocked the Buccaneers

Kirk Cousins stats vs. Buccaneers

Since taking over for an injured Michael Penix Jr., Cousins has struggled. He has thrown for only three touchdowns this season heading into the game against Tampa Bay, and matched that total in a single game.

  • Completions:  30
  • Attempts:  44
  • Completion percentage:  68.2%
  • Passing yards:  373
  • Passing TDs:  3
  • Rating:  117.6

Last season on "Thursday Night Football" against Tampa Bay, Cousins also had one of the best games of his career, throwing for 509 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. It's his second straight year leading the Falcons to victory over their division rival on Thursday night and Cousins is now 3-0 against Tampa Bay as Atlanta's starter.

MORE: Kirk Cousins does something only done by himself before in win against Buccaneers

Kirk Cousins highlights vs Buccaneers

This time, all three touchdowns came to Pitts, the first one on a drag route.

Pitts caught a second touchdown in the second quarter. With the 17-yard score, Pitts was over 100 yards in the first half.

But, the one in the fourth quarter, was the biggest. It made the game 28-26, and Atlanta defense handed the ball back to Cousins, who made them pay.

Cousins made one of his biggest plays of the night on 4th & 14, hitting Davis Sills V ahead of the chains.

He finished the night leading Atlanta to a shocking win over the division-leading Buccaneers.

Cousins advances to 2-3 as a starter on the season.

MORE: Kyle Pitts has monster game on "Thursday Night Football"

How many teams has Kirk Cousins played for?

In his NFL career, Cousins has played for a total of three franchises.

After being drafted from Michigan State, he began his professional journey with Washington, where he played from 2012 to 2017. Following that, he spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2018–2023). He signed with the Falcons in the 2024 offseason on a four-year, $180 million contract.

Tonight was his 32nd game-winning drive. 

Why is Kirk Cousins playing?

Cousins is currently the starting quarterback for the Falcons because the team’s designated starter, rookie Michael Penix Jr., suffered a season-ending partially torn ACL in Week 1.

Despite having been benched in 2024 due to performance issues, the veteran quarterback -- who signed a $180 million deal with the team -- was the most experienced and highest-paid option available to take over. Even though Penix Jr. Took over, Cousins was kept on the Falcons roster, allowing him to step in and finish the 2025 season after the young quarterback was placed on injured reserve.

MORE: How Tampa Bay's loss affects NFC South standings

Senior Editor