NFL Thursday Night: Former Alabama Prep star catches 2 TD passes in Falcons OT win

Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns, including a 45-yarder to wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge on the first possession of overtime, in the Falcons' 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.

Two of Cousins' touchdown passes in the NFC South game went to wide receiver Darnell Mooney. The former Gadsden City High School star ran for a 24-yard touchdown toss as Atlanta took a 14-10 lead with 11:58 left in the first half and caught a 12-yard touchdown pass as The Falcons finished the game with a 27-5 tie. 27 with 13:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Mooney had nine receptions for 109 yards while Cousins set a franchise record for passing yards in a game. But in his first NFL game with two touchdown receptions and his fifth 100-yard game, Mooney almost went from hero to goat.

With Atlanta trailing 30-27, Mooney dropped a third-and-six pass that would have been a first down and, because the Tampa Bay defender had fallen, perhaps a touchdown with 6:37 left.

The Bucs then blocked Younghoe Koo's field goal attempt to maintain a three-point lead.

On the Falcons' next possession, Cousins was intercepted while attempting to make contact with Mooney.

Atlanta had another chance with 64 seconds left in the fourth quarter, and Cousins hit Mooney 17 yards, marking the longest play of a 51-yard drive that resulted in a game-winning field goal by Koo as time expired in the fourth quarter achieved.

Three other players with Alabama football roots took the field during the Tampa Bay-Atlanta game:

· Buccaneers safety Marcus Banks (Alabama) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell (Alabama) made a tackle.

· KJ Britt (Oxford, Auburn) started at linebacker for the Buccaneers. Britt had a career-best nine tackles.

· Jamel Dean (Auburn) started at cornerback for the Buccaneers. Dean made nine tackles and broke up one pass.

· Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans (Auburn High, Alabama) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· Falcons safety: DeMarcco Hellams (Alabama) is on injured reserve and is ineligible to play.

· Buccaneers cornerback Keenan Isaac (midfield, Alabama State) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· Falcons running back Jase McClellan (Alabama) was designated as an inactive player on game day.

· Falcons outside linebacker Monty Rice (James Clemens) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

· Buccaneers running back DJ Williams (Auburn) is on the practice squad and ineligible to play.

The teams will remain in the NFC South for their next games. The Buccaneers (3-2) will play the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on October 13th at 12 p.m. CDT. Atlanta (3-2) plays the Carolina Panthers on October 13 at 3:25 p.m. CDT at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean breaks up a pass to Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London during an NFL game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker KJ Britt takes on Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson during an NFL game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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