ATL Standard

The Atlanta Falcons secured a 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime on Thursday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This marks their fifth consecutive one-score game and third prime-time appearance of the season.

Atlanta started strong, winning both the opening and overtime coin tosses. They opted to receive the kickoff, leading to an early touchdown drive. Quarterback Kirk Cousins connected with Drake London for an 18-yard touchdown pass, marking their second first-possession touchdown this season.

Tampa Bay responded with a nine-play drive capped by Baker Mayfield's 2-yard pass to Mike Evans. The Buccaneers briefly led after Chase McLaughlin's 53-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, Cousins found Darnell Mooney for a 24-yard touchdown, only for Mayfield to answer with another touchdown pass to Evans. A successful field goal from Younghoe Koo tied the game at 17 before Mayfield hit Sterling Shepard for a lead-restoring score.

The third quarter saw Atlanta's defense force a three-and-out before Koo narrowed the gap with a 48-yard field goal. McLaughlin extended Tampa Bay's lead again with his own field goal.

Mooney tied it up in the fourth quarter with a 12-yard reception from Cousins. McLaughlin put Tampa ahead once more, but Koo forced overtime with a last-second field goal following some late-game drama involving penalties and turnovers.

In overtime, Atlanta capitalized on winning the coin toss by marching downfield in four plays, culminating in KhaDarel Hodge's decisive 45-yard touchdown catch.

"More importantly," said one observer about Atlanta's performance, "they won the game."