Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​passed for 509 passing yards on Thursday night, breaking the team’s single-game franchise record, while leading a 36-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cousins ​​broke the record on a night when the Falcons honored former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan, who previously held the record with 448.

Backup wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge came on the field in overtime to replace an injured player and stunned the Buccaneers with a 45-yard touchdown.

“God is real, God is good, I pray for this,” Hodge said on the Amazon Prime broadcast after the game. “God was on my side, I just did what I had to do.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Falcons looked like they had a chance to win several times late in the game.

Atlanta trailed Tampa by just three points, 30-27, during an Atlanta drive in the fourth quarter. But a Kirk Cousins ​​pass delivered perfectly to wide receiver Darnell Moody on third down was called off. If Moody had made the catch, the Falcons would have gotten into the Buccaneers’ red zone, or more.

After the drop, Falcons kicker Yonghoe Koo had a 54-yard field goal attempt blocked.

The Falcons got the ball back, trailing by just three points, after Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving fumbled deep into Atlanta territory on the ensuing drive. But that drive went nowhere, as Cousins ​​threw an interception on a fourth-down conversion attempt.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM Stranded in Buses on Flooded Highway Amid Hurricane HELENE DESTRUCTION

KhaDarel Hodge (12) of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

But then the Falcons got the ball back and with it one more chance to tie or win the game, still just three behind with over a minute on the clock as the Buccaneers had just punted after losing 14 yards on their subsequent drive.

Cousins ​​led the Falcons back into field goal range, clocking the ball with just one second left. A delay in play penalty extended Koo’s field goal attempt to 52 yards, but he managed to send the game to overtime.

The Falcons then got the ball to start overtime, and Cousins ​​put the offense in Tampa Bay territory on an 18-yard pass to Drake London. London was injured during the game, forcing Hodge to come off the bench and enter the match in London’s place. The touchdown pass went to Hodge on the next play.

The Falcons emerged victorious in a matchup between two teams representing states hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) celebrates his touchdown on a New Orleans Saints fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Georgia and Florida are among the states hardest hit by Helene’s destruction. The death toll from the storm in Georgia rose to 33 on Thursday, causing $417 million in damage.

In Florida, several cities have been nearly wiped out, including the city of Clearwater Beach.

Before the game, the respective teams’ two quarterbacks, Cousins ​​​​and Baker Mayfield, announced that they will each donate $50,000 to Team Rubicon to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.