Friday, 4 a.m.
The crucial field goal in overtime. The tying kick with a second to play. The facemask penalty that wasn’t called as time ran out.
There will be so many moments for the Bucs to relive after their 36-30 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons Thursday night.
The biggest one that will linger, however, was an aging quarterback who finally looks as if he belongs with his new team.
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The Bucs would be 4-1 today if they had any idea what do about the other team’s forward pass. Thursday night. Kurt Cousins threw for 509 yards, hitting 42 of 58 passes. The only question is what happened on the other 16 passes he threw.
In the history of the game, just 22 quarterbacks have had 500-yards-plus in an NFL game, led by Norm Van Brocklin’s 554 yards in 1951. Cousins is tied for the 15th most in NFL history.
For all his throws, however, it seemed the Bucs were in decent shape to win after LaVonte David intercepted a pass at the Atlanta 35 with 1:52 to play. But the Bucs’ Graham Barton was called for holding (replays showed that Bucky Irvin’s facemask was grabbed.)
The Falcons forced a punt with 1:20 to play and moved downfield. With 12 seconds left, the Falcons threw a slant inside and completed it. They also killed the clock with one second to play. Kicker Youghoe Koo, who had missed from 41 yards and had one from 54 blocked, nailed a 52-yarder with one second left to force overtime.
The Bucs never touched the ball in overtime as Cousins hit KhaDarel Hodge on the fourth play of the extra period Hodge broke a tackle and sprinted 45 yards for the touchdown, the victory and a share of the NFC South lead.
The Falcons had no idea what to do with the Bucs for a half. Tampa Bay scored 24 points. In the second half, however, they scored on just two field goals.
Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield didn’t have the yardage that Cousins did, but he was very effective, hitting 19 of 24 passes for 180 yards and three scores. Two of the touchdowns went to Mike Evans.
Rachaad White gained 72 yards on the ground (56 came on one play). Bucky Irving had 44, but he did have a late fumble.
The Falcons and Bucs are tied for the NFC South lead at 3-2.
The Bucs return to action a week from Sunday when they visit the New Orleans Saints.
