Kirk Cousins Delivers a Vintage Performance - With a Twist of Déjà Vu
Kirk Cousins has had his fair share of big statistical nights in the NFL. But Thursday night’s win over the Buccaneers? That one felt like a déjà vu moment - just with a dramatic twist.
The Falcons, already out of the playoff picture, found themselves down 28-14 in the fourth quarter. That’s usually the point where teams start thinking about next week.
Not Cousins. He turned the clock back and put on a clinic, rallying Atlanta all the way back for a stunning 29-28 win - capped off by a walk-off field goal as time expired.
Cousins’ final stat line? 373 passing yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions.
If that sounds familiar, it should. That exact line - 373 yards, 3 TDs, no picks - has only happened three other times in NFL history.
The last time? Also Kirk Cousins, back in 2021.
That 2021 game was a wild one, too. Cousins led the Vikings to a 34-28 overtime win, though the storyline was flipped - Minnesota had the lead and let it slip before Cousins connected with K.J.
Osborn on a 27-yard touchdown in OT to seal the deal. That night, Sam Darnold was the opposing quarterback.
And here's where things get even more uncanny.
In that 2021 game, the kicker for the Panthers was Zane Gonzalez. Fast forward to Thursday night, and it’s Gonzalez again - this time wearing a Falcons jersey - who drilled the 43-yard game-winner as time expired.
Same kicker, same quarterback, same stat line, different teams, different stakes. Football is funny like that.
Cousins may not be leading a playoff charge this year, but what he did on Thursday night was a reminder of what he’s always been capable of: putting up numbers, staying composed under pressure, and delivering when the moment calls for it. Even when the season’s lost, Cousins finds a way to make it interesting - and sometimes, a little historic.