Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” Recap

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons kicked off Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season with a highly anticipated Thursday Night Football showdown. Both teams entered the game with hopes of solidifying their standing in the NFC South, and fans were eager to see how this divisional rivalry would unfold.

A Thrilling NFC South Battle

The Buccaneers and Falcons have been viewed as top contenders for the NFC South title. The Falcons came into this game with momentum after a dramatic Week 4 victory over the New Orleans Saints, where kicker Younghoe Koo nailed a 58-yard field goal for the win. Atlanta’s quarterback, Kirk Cousins, signed a massive four-year contract in the offseason and was still looking to find his rhythm after an Achilles injury cut short his 2023 season. Through the first four weeks, Cousins had struggled, ranking 24th in QBR and 22nd in passer rating.

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On the other side, Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield had started the season strong, ranking fourth in passer rating and leading his team to a commanding 33-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. Tampa Bay’s offense, ranked 8th in EPA per play, has been efficient, with Mayfield playing a key role.

Game Highlights

The game was filled with dramatic moments from start to finish.

First Quarter
The Falcons struck first, with Kirk Cousins connecting with Drake London on a seven-play, 70-yard drive for the opening touchdown. The Buccaneers quickly responded, as Baker Mayfield found Mike Evans in the end zone for his 100th career touchdown, tying the game 7-7.

Second Quarter
In the second quarter, Tampa Bay took the lead with a 53-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin. However, Cousins and the Falcons kept the pressure on, cutting the lead with a Darnell Mooney 25-yard touchdown catch.

Third Quarter
The third quarter saw Mayfield continue his dominance, throwing his third touchdown of the game to Sterling Shepard, pushing Tampa Bay to a 24-17 lead. However, the Falcons fought back, tying the game again with a touchdown from Mooney early in the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter Drama
The game came down to the wire in the final quarter. The Falcons had a chance to tie the game with a 54-yard field goal attempt, but it was blocked, giving Tampa Bay prime field position. A 53-yard field goal by McLaughlin gave the Buccaneers a 30-27 lead, and Atlanta couldn’t recover after a crucial interception by Cousins late in the game.

Buccaneers Triumph 30-27

In the end, Tampa Bay secured a hard-fought victory with Baker Mayfield leading the charge, throwing for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Cousins had an impressive 315 yards passing with two touchdowns, but his late interception proved costly. The Buccaneers now hold the top spot in the NFC South, while the Falcons will need to regroup after another tough divisional loss.

Key Takeaways:

• Baker Mayfield continues his stellar form, lifting the Buccaneers to a crucial divisional win.
• Kirk Cousins, while improving, still needs to minimize costly mistakes for the Falcons to succeed.
• Mike Evans reaches an impressive milestone with his 100th career touchdown.

Data Source and Image Credits: usatoday