Cousins’ performance was nothing short of spectacular, especially considering how back-and-forth the game was. He seemed to have a response every time the Bucs put points on the board, leading the Falcons down the field on multiple clutch drives. The game appeared to be in Tampa’s hands after Lavonte David’s interception, but Tampa Bay’s offense couldn’t close the deal. Cousins, dubbed “Comeback Kirk,” engineered a game-tying drive capped by a 52-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo to send the game into overtime.
Once in overtime, Cousins and the Falcons’ offense made sure Mayfield and the Bucs wouldn’t see the ball again. With a few key completions to Drake London, Cousins set up the game-winning pass to KhaDarel Hodge, who slipped past multiple Bucs defenders to score a 45-yard touchdown. For Bucs fans, it was a gut-wrenching end to what looked like a winnable game.
While Mayfield’s three touchdown passes were a bright spot, including two to Mike Evans, he acknowledged that not finishing in critical moments cost the team the game. Tampa Bay’s defense, which started strong with two sacks by Logan Hall, struggled to contain Cousins in the second half, particularly when it mattered most. The Bucs’ pass defense, which had held up well early in the season, allowed a massive 509-yard passing day, raising serious concerns about the team’s ability to close out games against top-tier quarterbacks.
Looking ahead, the Buccaneers face a tough stretch of games, including a divisional matchup with the New Orleans Saints. With defensive questions looming and injuries piling up, Tampa Bay must find a way to rebound. Mayfield and the offense have shown flashes of explosiveness, but the defense will need to tighten up, particularly in crucial moments, if the team is going to stay competitive in the NFC South.
This loss begs the question: Is it a sign of a larger problem with the Bucs’ defense, or just a case of running into a red-hot quarterback in Cousins? And for Mayfield, while his numbers are improving, can he become the closer Tampa Bay needs in these high-stakes matchups? The conversation is wide open, and opinions are bound to be divided. Where do you stand—was this game lost on the defensive end, or should Mayfield and the offense have sealed the deal? Let’s hear your thoughts and keep the debate going!
