With frantic drive and OT win, Kirk Cousins and Falcons might have something good going on after all

ATLANTA — Many fans began leaving Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the end of Thursday night’s game, and really, who could blame them? The Falcons have burned Atlanta so many times, failing to capitalize on their promise and stomping on fans’ hopes.

So when Kirk Cousins seemed to wrap what had been an exceptional passing night against Tampa Bay by throwing a crushing interception with 1:52 remaining, well, some fans thought they knew exactly how this story was going to end.

That’s the thing about football, though — every so often, that weird ball takes a strange bounce.

Atlanta peeled off two remarkable plays — a literal last-second rush to spike the ball and set up for a field goal to force overtime, and a walkoff touchdown to maybe the unlikeliest receiver on the roster — to claim an unlikely 36-30 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday night.

It’s one game of 17, one win of yet-to-be-determined. But it feels worth a little bit more, feels like this could be one of those pivotal victories that sets up future success. The Falcons are now 3-2, leading the division with wins over the Buccaneers (3-2) and Saints (2-2). If Cousins isn’t completely recovered from his ACL injury, well, he’s still good enough to throw for 509 yards and four touchdowns. And the team is getting contributions from up and down the roster — in the case of the final play, emphasis on “down.”

Atlanta’s KhaDarel Hodge gets a hero’s welcome after scoring in overtime to defeat Tampa Bay. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

KhaDarel Hodge wasn’t drafted out of Prairie View A&M. He’s played for four teams in seven years. He has never caught more than 14 passes in an entire season. Prior to Thursday, you could count the number of his career touchdown receptions on one finger.

On the fourth play from scrimmage in overtime, Cousins found Hodge on a short 5-yard stop route that, by all normal expectations of football, should have ended with a quick tackle,…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-04 05:45:08

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