Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns, leading the visiting Atlanta Falcons to a 31-26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Darnell Mooney had five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Kyle Pitts hauled in four receptions for 91 yards and two scores as the Falcons (5-3) improved to 4-0 against NFC South opponents. Baker Mayfield completed 37 of 50 passes for 330 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions as Tampa Bay (4-4) lost its fourth game in six tries.
Cade Otton led the Buccaneers with nine receptions for 81 yards and two scores. Holding a 24-17 halftime lead, the Falcons punted on their opening drive of the third quarter, but Jessie Bates III intercepted Mayfield on the Falcons' 8-yard line. Atlanta punted again, but regained possession after snuffing out a Tampa Bay fake punt attempt on the Buccaneers' 36-yard line.
Cousins then threw his fourth touchdown on a 6-yard pass to Bijan Robinson. Tampa Bay threatened on the next drive, but A.J.
Terrell intercepted Mayfield on the Buccaneers' 6. Two plays later, however, Cousins and Tyler Allgeier's shaky handoff led to a safety. The Buccaneers then cut their deficit to 31-26 with 6:52 left in the fourth quarter on Mayfield's 4-yard touchdown pass to Otton, stamping a 12-play, 73-yard drive.
With a chance to ice the game, the Falcons had to settle for Younghoe Koo's 46-yard field goal attempt with 1:06 remaining, which was pushed wide right. Needing a touchdown to win, Tam.