Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2024 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-10-03, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 36–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

K. Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +22.40 total EPA, and +6.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +22.40 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+33.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:01) 6-Y.Koo 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Cousins · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +22.40 total EPA · 64 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
2. 2 D. London · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +12.69 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Mayfield · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +10.12 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Hodge · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.29 total EPA · 2 snaps · +3.14 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +6.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Mooney · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.82 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Pitts · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.62 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Godwin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — D. London (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 57:01)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass) (Q1 52:40)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Mooney (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 42:04)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 40:22)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — S. Shepard (B. Mayfield pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Mooney (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 13:25)
• Atlanta Falcons — K. Hodge (K. Cousins pass) (OT 8:54)

Field goals

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (Q1 46:27)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 36:22)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q3 21:26)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (Q3 16:20)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. McLaughlin (Q4 10:28)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q4 0:01)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 18 (Q1 57:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 5-D.London for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q1 56:54) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q1 52:40) — (7:40) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 13-M.Evans for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 52:36) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the ATL 35 (Q1 46:27) — (1:27) 4-C.McLaughlin 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill..

The second quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–10. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 24 (Q2 42:04) — (12:04) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 1-D.Mooney for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 41:58) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ATL 23 (Q2 40:22) — (10:22) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 40:17) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the TB 36 (Q2 36:22) — (6:22) 6-Y.Koo 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 17-S.Shepard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 31:56) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the TB 30 (Q3 21:26) — (6:26) 6-Y.Koo 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the ATL 14 (Q3 16:20) — (1:20) 4-C.McLaughlin 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 13–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 12 (Q4 13:25) — (13:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 1-D.Mooney for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 13:18) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the ATL 35 (Q4 10:28) — (10:28) 4-C.McLaughlin 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the TB 34 (Q4 0:01) — (:01) 6-Y.Koo 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END QUARTER 4.

Overtime: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the TB 45 (OT 8:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 12-K.Hodge for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:01) — (:01) 6-Y.Koo 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion. [WPA +33.3% · EPA +0.93]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:25) — (13:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 1-D.Mooney for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.2% · EPA +4.06]
• Atlanta Falcons (OT 8:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 12-K.Hodge for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.6% · EPA +3.89]
• Atlanta Falcons (OT 9:14) — (9:14) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 5-D.London to TB 45 for 18 yards (29-C.Izien, 27-Z.McCollum). ATL-5-D.London was injured during the play. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +1.91]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:55) — (2:55) 7-B.Irving left tackle to ATL 25 for 7 yards (3-J.Bates). FUMBLES (3-J.Bates), RECOVERED by ATL-55-K.Elliss at ATL 25. [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.76]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 2:55) — (2:55) 7-B.Irving left tackle to ATL 25 for 7 yards (3-J.Bates). FUMBLES (3-J.Bates), RECOVERED by ATL-55-K.Elliss at ATL 25. [WPA -18.2% · EPA -4.76]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:25) — (13:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 1-D.Mooney for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.2% · EPA +4.06]
• Atlanta Falcons (OT 8:54) — (8:54) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 12-K.Hodge for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +24.6% · EPA +3.89]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 25:07) — (10:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 1-D.Mooney pushed ob at TB 28 for 14 yards (35-J.Dean). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.84]

Quarterback report card

K.Cousins led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• K.Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) · 64 dropbacks · 65.6% completion · +6.7% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +22.40 total EPA
• B.Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 31 dropbacks · 61.3% completion · +6.2% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +10.12 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Tampa Bay Buccaneers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +15.32 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 drives, +13.53 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Mayfield (TB) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 57:01 · TB 18 · Score 0-6
   (12:01) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 5-D.London for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:54 · TB 15 · Score 0-7
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 52:40 · ATL 2 · Score 6-7
   (7:40) 6-B.Mayfield pass short middle to 13-M.Evans for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 52:36 · ATL 15 · Score 7-7
   4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 46:27 · ATL 35 · Score 10-7
   (1:27) 4-C.McLaughlin 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 42:04 · TB 24 · Score 10-13
   (12:04) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 1-D.Mooney for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 41:58 · TB 15 · Score 10-14
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 40:22 · ATL 23 · Score 16-14
   (10:22) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 40:17 · ATL 15 · Score 17-14
   4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 36:22 · TB 36 · Score 17-17
    (6:22) 6-Y.Koo 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · ATL 4 · Score 23-17
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 17-S.Shepard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q2 31:56 · ATL 15 · Score 24-17
    4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.
13. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 21:26 · TB 30 · Score 24-20
    (6:26) 6-Y.Koo 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 16:20 · ATL 14 · Score 27-20
    (1:20) 4-C.McLaughlin 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 13:25 · TB 12 · Score 27-26
    (13:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 1-D.Mooney for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 13:18 · TB 15 · Score 27-27
    6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 10:28 · ATL 35 · Score 30-27
    (10:28) 4-C.McLaughlin 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-Z.Triner, Holder-16-T.Gill.
18. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:01 · TB 34 · Score 30-30
    (:01) 6-Y.Koo 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
19. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 30-30
    END QUARTER 4
20. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — OT 8:54 · TB 45 · Score 30-36
    (8:54) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 12-K.Hodge for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.