Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tykee Smith (23) for a touchdown during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Watch: Falcons end TD drought with emphatic opening drive

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 3, 2024 8:34 PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons offense was stuck in an extensive touchdown drought entering Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having gone 16 consecutive drives without finding the end zone.

They snapped out of that drought in an emphatic way on their first series against the Buccaneers, going 70 yards on just seven plays to take an early 7-0 lead.

The drive was capped off with a Kirk Cousins touchdown pass to wide receiver Drake London.

Have a look:

Quick work for the Falcons! @KirkCousins8 finds @DrakeLondon_ for 6️⃣#TBvsATL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6pK8eByEjK
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024

Before that touchdown the last time the Falcons offense scored a touchdown was in the second quarter of their Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

They did not reach the end zone in the second half of that game, and did not score an offensive touchdown in their Week 4 game against the New Orleans Saints. They did, however, score a special teams touchdown and defensive touchdown in that game.

The other big play on Thursday's opening drive came on the third play of the game when Cousins found tight end Kyle Pitts for a 32-yard big play. Pitts' usage was a big talking point this week after he did not record a single catch in their Week 4 win.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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