Kirk Cousins stats today: Falcons QB joins exclusive 500-yard passing game list

Kirk Cousins made Atlanta Falcons history on a night when the team celebrated one of its all-time quarterbacks, Matt Ryan.

Cousins set Ryan’s team record for passing yards in a single game during the Falcons’ 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Thursday Night Football.” The 13-year veteran was razor-sharp throughout the game, connecting early and frequently with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts in an impressive performance for Atlanta’s offense.

Here’s a breakdown of Cousins’ career-best performance and where it sits among the finest passing games in NFL history. Kirk Cousins’ stats today
Cousins completed 42 of 58 passes (72.4 percent) for 509 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in Atlanta’s comeback victory over Tampa Bay. His 500-yard throwing game was only the 25th in NFL history, and he became the 22nd different quarterback to accomplish the accomplishment. Ryan is one of only 22 quarterbacks to have thrown for 500 yards. He has 503 throwing yards in the Falcons’ 48-33 victory over the Carolina Panthers during the 2016 NFL season. Ryan won MVP that season and led the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

It is early to predict that Cousins’ performance will have the similar influence on Atlanta’s franchise. Still, Falcons fans have to be pleased after watching how sharp he was throughout the evening.

Cousins worked the ball into tight windows early and often, as seen by Mooney’s first score of the game. The veteran quarterback also used his play-action ability to exploit Tampa Bay’s undermanned secondary, creating open space in the middle of the field for London and Pitts.

Cousins wasn’t hesitant to pass the ball around either. Seven different players caught at least two passes during the game, and five of them gained at least 66 yards. While London (154 yards) and Darnell Mooney (105 yards) played the most significant roles in Cousins’ record-breaking day, the quarterback and his receiving corps worked together to achieve the feat. Kirk Cousins makes game-winning drives.
The Falcons’ come-from-behind victory was also the third time Cousins led a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime this season. That is the most in the NFL, however Cousins is one of only two quarterbacks to have played a Week 5 game thus far.

Cousins now has an impressive 31 game-winning drives in his career. This ties him with Drew Bledsoe for the 20th most in NFL history.

And just four active quarterbacks have more than Cousins. They are as follows.
Matthew Stafford is 45 and Russell Wilson is 39.
Derek Carr(34)
Aaron Rodgers(32)
NFL 500-yard passing games
Cousins’ 509-yard performance broke a Falcons record but fell short of the NFL record. That honor goes to Norm Van Brocklin, who gained 554 yards during a 1951 game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Yankees.

Below is the full list of the NFL’s 500-yard passers:

• Norm Van Brocklin, Los Angeles Rams: 554 yards (1951)
• Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: 527 yards (2012)
• Warren Moon, Houston Oilers: 527 yards (1990)
• Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: 525 yards (2021)
• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 522 yards (2014)
• Boomer Esiason, Arizona Cardinals: 522 yards (1996)
• Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins: 521 yards (1988)
• Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: 520 yards (2012)
• Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams: 517 yards (2019)
• Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 517 yards (2011)
• Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders: 513 yards (2016)
• Phil Simms, New York Giants: 513 yards (1985)
• Eli Manning, New York Giants: 510 yards (2012)
• Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: 510 yards (2006)
• Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons: 509 yards (2024)
• Vince Ferragamo, Los Angeles Rams: 509 yards (1982)
• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 506 yards (2017)
• Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: 506 yards (2013)
• Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: 505 yards (2015)
• Y.A. Tittle, New York Giants: 505 yards (1962)
• Elvis Grbac, Kansas City Chiefs: 504 yards (2000)
• Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: 503 yards (2016)
• Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: 503 yards (2015)
• Ben Roethlsiberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 503 yards (2009)
• Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 502 yards (2020)