ATLANTA — Kirk Cousins sure earned all that money Thursday night.
The $180 million quarterback threw for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns, the last of them a 45-yarder to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime that gave the Atlanta Falcons an improbable 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move to the top of the NFC South Division standings.
“What a night,” the 36-year-old Cousins said. “I’m exhausted.”
After a wild fourth quarter that included a blocked field-goal attempt, a fumble and an interception, Cousins and the Falcons (3-2) got the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 1:14 remaining in regulation and no timeouts while trailing 30-27.
Cousins completed five passes to push Atlanta to the Tampa Bay 29, then hustled to the line to spike the ball with a single second left. In all the confusion, the Falcons were flagged for delay of game as they lined up for a tying field-goal attempt, but it didn’t cost them.