FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Something that may have gotten lost amidst the Kirk Cousins adulation last Thursday was the performance of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's two favorite targets.
Wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney each finished with more than 100 yards receiving in the Falcons' Week 5 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It marked the first time since 2020 that Atlanta had multiple players surpass that mark in a single game. And it placed London and Mooney among some very strong company.
"I think everybody felt the need to just go out there and play their best ball," London said. "So very, very happy."
Julio Jones, Russell Gage and Calvin Ridley were the last wide receivers to all record at least 100 yards receiving in the same game. The difference between the two instances, though, is the Falcons lost that Week 1 game to the Seattle Seahawks.
So, while it was still impressive in 2020, it's even more so in 2024. The commonality between the two units is the emphasis on the quarterback. Back then, it was Matt Ryan behind center. Now, Cousins. In between these two eras, the Falcons lacked a reliable passer to build the offense around. That's why they prioritized the position in the offseason, and they're starting to see that investment come to fruition.
"We spread it around," Cousins said. "That's kind of how we're built, is to get a lot of people involved. We have a lot of trust in several skill-position players … and I was proud of the way guys fought, made plays, got open, caught difficult catches. We took another step."
London finished with a team-high 12 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown. He scored on an 18-yard catch in the first quarter.
Mooney had nine receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He scored on a 24-yard catch in the second quarter and a 12-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Overall, Cousins completed 42 of his 58 passes for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns.
"It was a good flow," Mooney said. "Great flow."
It was the best flow the Falcons have gotten into so far this season – by far. Their 550 yards of total offense was 165 more than the next-best mark. The 36 points were also a season best by 10 points.
Cousins felt the flow, too.
"I just haven't been that decisive the first few weeks," he said. "I've been trying to ensure that's where they're going and ensure that's what I'm seeing before I let it rip. Felt tonight there was a little bit more, now after four games, 'No, I know where they're going, I know where they're going to be. I'm going to let that rip early.'"
London and Mooney benefited, both coming away with their first 100-yard game of the season. London now has four 100-yard games in his career; all have been with the Falcons. Mooney has five, but his previous four were with the Chicago Bears.
The Falcons drafted London in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, so he has been in Atlanta ever since and is still on his rookie contract. Mooney, however, was an offseason acquisition. He was a fifth-round draft pick for the Bears in 2020 and became a free agent after the 2023 season concluded.
Last Thursday showed these two are capable of a real tough 1-2 punch when Cousins and Co. are operating at an efficient rate. London was expected to be the top target, but Mooney's involvement may be more than predicted. If Mooney can sustain this level of play, he and London could really keep the Falcons moving the ball at a fast and successful pace. The trick is now maintaining their recent execution through the remainder of the season.
"Guys keep running routes," Mooney said. "Staying confident in the offense."
Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Week 5, presented by Grady.