ATLANTA — Kirk Cousins has found his comfort zone with the Atlanta Falcons.
The veteran quarterback came to that exciting realization while giving a command performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday night — and more specifically, in the second quarter of Atlanta’s 36-30 overtime win over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC South Division matchup.
The 36-year-old Cousins, a 13th-year pro who now has five games under his belt in his first season with the Falcons, said he felt more decisive in his passes to such targets as receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, with the four-time Pro Bowl selection feeling he could finally “let it rip.”
The more confident Cousins set a franchise record by throwing for a career-high 509 yards, and his four touchdown passes included a 45-yard connection with KhaDarel Hodge on the first possession of the extra period. The flurry of touchdowns was especially dramatic after Atlanta’s offense was held out of the end zone this past Sunday in a 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints to open division play.
Four days later, things were much different.