Buccaneers vs. Falcons predictions and live updates: NFL Thursday Night Football score, odds and latest

Oct 3, 2024 at 4:00 PM

Quarterbacks Shine as NFL Season Heats Up

As the NFL season enters its fifth week, two of the league's top quarterbacks are making headlines with their impressive performances. Baker Mayfield, who signed a lucrative three-year, $100 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, has been living up to the hype, while Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings is also off to a strong start in the first year of his new four-year, $180 million deal.

Mayfield and Cousins Poised for Breakout Seasons

Baker Mayfield: Proving His Worth with the Browns

After a standout season last year, filling in for the legendary Tom Brady, Baker Mayfield has continued to impress in the early stages of the 2022 campaign. The 27-year-old quarterback has already thrown for 984 yards, completing an impressive 70.5% of his passes and tossing eight touchdowns, the second-highest total in the league. Mayfield's ability to efficiently move the ball through the air has been a key factor in the Browns' 2-1 start, and he's proven to be a reliable option under center.Mayfield's success against the Atlanta Falcons has been particularly noteworthy. In his three career matchups with the NFC South squad, he has accumulated 635 passing yards, six touchdown passes, and just a single interception. This track record suggests that Mayfield is well-equipped to handle the Falcons' defense and could be poised for another strong performance when the two teams meet in Week 5.

Kirk Cousins: Bouncing Back from Injury with the Vikings

Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins has also been making waves in the early stages of the 2022 season. The 36-year-old quarterback, who signed a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings in March, is coming off an Achilles injury but has shown no signs of slowing down.Through his first four games, Cousins has thrown for 864 yards, completing 64.7% of his passes, and has found the end zone four times. While he has also tossed four interceptions, Cousins' ability to move the ball effectively has been a key factor in the Vikings' 3-1 start to the season.Cousins' track record against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his Week 5 opponent, is also noteworthy. In three career matchups with the defending Super Bowl champions, the veteran quarterback has thrown for 886 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception. This suggests that Cousins could be poised for another strong performance against a formidable defense.

The Battle for Quarterback Supremacy

As the NFL season progresses, the battle between Mayfield and Cousins for quarterback supremacy is sure to be a captivating storyline. Both players have proven their ability to lead their respective teams to success, and their performances in the coming weeks could have a significant impact on the playoff race.With their impressive statistics and track records against their upcoming opponents, Mayfield and Cousins are poised to continue their strong starts and cement their status as two of the league's premier signal-callers. As the season heats up, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching to see which quarterback emerges as the true standout of the 2022 campaign.