Kirk Cousins did something on Thursday he never did with the Vikings

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins put together a vintage Kirktober performance on Thursday, as he helped lead the Atlanta Falcons to a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cousins and the Falcons walked off the field with a 36-30 overtime victory, and when the final whistle blew, the former Vikings signal-caller ended the matchup having completed 72.4 percent of his passes for an astounding 509 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

Believe it or not, it was actually the first time in Cousins's NFL career that he had thrown for more than 500 yards in one contest. His previous single-game career-high was set back in Week 15 of the 2022 season when he helped Minnesota complete the largest comeback in league history in an overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Minnesota Vikings fans are very familiar with what Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is capable of in October

For whatever reason, Cousins always seems to play his best during the month of October. During his time in the NFL, the veteran quarterback has won more games and thrown for more yards and touchdowns in October than in any other month during the season.

It's become known as Kirktober, and Atlanta got its first experience during Thursday's big win over the Bucs. With the victory, the Falcons improved their record to 3-2 and they're now sitting in first place in the NFC South.

Cousins has certainly come a long way since his regular-season debut with Atlanta back in Week 1. In the Falcons' season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he threw two interceptions, one touchdown, and just 155 yards.

He played better in Atlanta's Week 2 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and then he put up two pretty average performances in Week 3 and Week 4. So, Thursday night was really Cousins's coming out party as a member of the Falcons.

He probably won't throw for over 500 yards every week moving forward, but at least Atlanta fans know the 36-year-old quarterback is still capable of putting up an impressive stat line (especially in October).

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