Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins made history by breaking Matt Ryan's franchise record for career passing yards during a thrilling Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 4, 2024. His outstanding performance was pivotal in securing a dramatic 36-30 overtime victory.
Cousins showcased remarkable chemistry with his receivers, connecting with seven different players throughout the game. He completed 42 passes for a staggering 509 yards, surpassing Ryan's previous record of 503 yards set in 2016. Darnell Mooney led the receiving corps with nine catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Kyle Pitts added seven receptions for 88 yards.
"I spread it around and the players made plays. I'm grateful for the progress we've made. We're getting better and better each week," Cousins stated after the game.
Cousins remarkable run
The game featured scoring from both teams in all four quarters, but Atlanta clinched the win with six points in overtime, keeping the Buccaneers scoreless in that period. For Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield finished with 19 completions for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Through five weeks of the 2024 season, Cousins has been a crucial factor in the Falcons' resurgence. He has completed 119 passes for 1,373 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt, helping the Falcons to a 3-2 record and placing them first in the NFC South.
Cousins' career stats are impressive with 40,844 passing yards and several accolades, including four Pro Bowl selections. Over 155 regular season games, he has thrown 3,548 passes and 278 touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. In the postseason, Cousins has made 103 completions for 1,047 yards, with an impressive passer rating of 93.7.
At 36 years old, he became the 22nd quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 500 yards in a game, now ranking 15th on the all-time list. The record for most passing yards in a game is held by Norm Van Brocklin, who threw for 554 yards in 1951.
This win marked the Falcons' third victory of the season after a split in their first four games. "I’m proud of the grit. In this league, that's what it takes. We were gritty tonight," he added.
He joined Tom Brady, as the second QB to have thrown for 500 yards and 4 TDs in a primetime game.
Cousins’ 509 yards and 4 TDs on 58 pass attempts made him just the second quarterback to throw for over 460 yards with a 68%+ completion rate on 58 or more pass attempts, and still win the game.
