When the Atlanta Falcons signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a substantial $180 million contract in March, they hoped his experience would yield quick results. In the Thursday Night Football matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cousins delivered, leading the Falcons to a thrilling 36-30 overtime victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, improving their 2024 record to 3-2. The 36-year-old achieved a franchise-record 509 passing yards, marking his first 500-yard game and surpassing Matt Ryan’s previous record of 503 yards. He joins an elite group of quarterbacks with 500-yard games.
“It’s amazing what you can do when you’re out there on the field and you’re getting more chances,” Cousins remarked post-game.
Cousins became the 22nd quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards in a game. The record for most passing yards in a single game is held by Norm Van Brocklin, who threw for 554 yards in 1951 for the Los Angeles Rams, and he is one of only three quarterbacks to achieve the 500-yard feat multiple times in his career.
