The Atlanta Falcons pulled off a thrilling overtime victory against their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Thursday night, thanks to a stunning comeback led by quarterback Kirk Cousins. In a game filled with drama and high-stakes moments, Cousins was the key figure, throwing for a career-high 509 yards and connecting on four touchdown passes in the Falcons’ 36-30 win.
The game reached its crescendo late in the fourth quarter, with the Falcons trailing by three points. Tampa Bay had possession of the ball and looked poised to seal the victory.
However, Atlanta’s defense came up with a crucial stop, giving Cousins and the Falcons one final chance to mount a comeback. Cousins did not disappoint. He marched the Falcons down the field and set up kicker Younghoe Koo for a clutch field goal that tied the game, sending it into overtime.
The Falcons won the all-important overtime coin toss, and from there, Cousins once again led his team down the field. On the final drive, with the game hanging in the balance, Cousins connected with reserve wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge on a 45-yard catch-and-run touchdown, sealing the victory for Atlanta.
The play was a remarkable show of both Cousins’ precision and Hodge’s individual effort, propelling the Falcons to a 3-2 record and into a tie for first place in the NFC South alongside the Buccaneers.
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As the locker room erupted in celebration after the game, Cousins made an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show the next day, where he broke down the final game-winning play—while continuing the celebration in a uniquely fitting location: Waffle House. The popular diner, a staple in the Southeast, was the perfect backdrop for Cousins, whose down-to-earth, “suburban dad” persona matched the humble vibe of the iconic breakfast chain.
During the interview, Cousins reflected on the final play, acknowledging that it wasn’t the ideal look for what they had originally planned, but that improvisation and effort won the day. “Drake [London] got hurt on the play before and had to come out,” Cousins explained. “KhaDarel had been subbing in all game whenever Drake needed a break, and he stepped up again for that final play.”
Cousins continued, “We were in man coverage, and KhaDarel’s route wasn’t necessarily designed to win against that. But the corner was playing off just enough that I thought, ‘You know what, against my better judgment, I’m going to take a chance and drive this ball to him instead of progressing through the reads.’ It was tight, but we completed it. From there, it was just individual effort on his part.”
That individual effort, paired with Cousins’ daring decision to throw into tight coverage, made all the difference. Hodge sprinted past the defense and into the end zone, delivering the game-winning touchdown and sparking celebrations across Atlanta.
For Cousins, the Waffle House celebration was not only a continuation of the post-game festivities but also a chance to share his victory with fans in a relaxed and familiar environment. “What better way to keep the good times rolling than with breakfast at Waffle House?” Cousins said, laughing about the moment on air.
The Falcons’ victory brought them to 3-2 on the season, positioning them in a tie for first place with the Buccaneers in the NFC South standings. With Cousins playing at an elite level and the team rallying behind him, Atlanta’s hopes for a successful season are very much alive.
As Cousins savored his breakfast and recounted the thrilling finish, Falcons fans were left with a renewed sense of optimism.
The win was a testament to Cousins’ leadership and playmaking ability, as well as the team’s resilience in overcoming a late-game deficit. For now, though, Cousins is enjoying both the sweet taste of victory and, apparently, a good plate of waffles.
