Kirk Cousins reminded the world Thursday night that he still possesses that primetime
magic, even if he’s had a disappointing couple of years. He led his Atlanta Falcons side
to Tampa Bay in an NFC North clash as huge underdogs. He was thrust into the
limelight as the starting quarterback in week 12 following an injury to sophomore
Michael Penix Jr and while he and his team have struggled, the veteran gunslinger
managed one last sprinkle of that primetime magic at Raymond James Stadium.
Falcons Walkoff the Bucs
Online betting sites didn’t give Atlanta much hope ahead of their trip to Florida. The
pregame NFL lines at Bovada had them listed as a +200 underdog, and those odds
looked accurate as the Bucs held a 14-point lead with barely ten minutes remaining in
the fourth quarter. However, with primetime Kirk Cousins on hand, anything is possible.
Firstly, he drove the Falcons downfield to allow Bijan Robinson Jr. in for a six-yard rush
to reduce the arrears. Then, six minutes later, the former Minnesota Viking sought out
Kyle Pitts in the end zone for another score. However, back-to-back missed two-point
conversions left Atlanta down by two points with under three minutes remaining. But the
story wouldn’t finish there.
The Falcons managed to force the punt, giving them one last chance to drive downfield
and steal an unlikely victory. Cousins managed a fourth-and-14 conversion before Zane
Gonzalez walked it off from 43 yards to secure a scarcely believable 29-28 victory.
While Cousins’ primetime record is hardly spectacular, his run of eight wins in ten
games between 2020 and 2024 reminded everybody what he can do when the spotlight
is on. But which active quarterbacks have the best records in primetime as of right now?
Let’s take a look.
Twitter : Falcons complete the comeback
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson’s primetime prowess is electric, boasting a 20-6 record across 26
games a blistering .769 win percentage that ranks among the NFL’s all-time best for
QBs with 20-plus starts. Since bursting onto the scene as Baltimore’s 2018 first-
rounder, the dual-threat superstar has redefined the position, snagging two MVPs
(2019, 2023) with his cannon arm and breakaway speed.
His career retrospective? A Heisman winner from Louisville who silenced doubters,
amassing over 15,000 passing yards and 4,500 rushing yards, while leading the Ravens
to three straight AFC North titles. In 2025, Jackson’s primetime slate shines: a fifth
straight win in a Week 9 rout of the Buccaneers, where he tossed five TDs with zero
picks.
But even so, the Ravens sit at 6-7 after recent stumbles, clinging to slim playoff hopes
(+168 odds) after a recent loss to Pittsburgh. For Jackson, it’s Super Bowl or bust. His
legs, when not nursing a hamstring issue, could carry Baltimore to a wild-card miracle,
but another early exit risks labeling this MVP-caliber run a postseason tease. At 28, his
ceiling remains sky-high; expect fireworks in a do-or-die December dash.
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes rules primetime like no other, owning a 34-14 record that screams
dynasty. The Texas Tech gunslinger, drafted 10th overall in 2017, exploded in 2018
with a league-record 50 TD passes en route to MVP honors, cementing a career of no-
look wizardry and three Super Bowl rings.
His retrospective? From backup to architect of Kansas City’s 2010s revival, Mahomes
has 28,000-plus yards and 219 TDs in just eight seasons. In 2025, he’s 2-1 in the
spotlight, including a milestone 300th TD pass on SNF against Detroit in week six,
breaking Aaron Rodgers’ record in fewer games. Yet the Chiefs’ 6-7 skid has them as
playoff underdogs (+550 odds), with a wild-card path hinging on sweeping the AFC
West also-rans.
Hopes? Mahomes chases ring No. 4, but a bust looms if offensive woes
persist imagine the GOAT narrative dented by an early exit. Still, his arm bends reality;
Kansas City rebounds or regrets.
Josh Allen
Josh Allen’s primetime dominance is ferocious: 22-10 across 32 games, a .688 clip that
slots him with legends like Joe Montana. Selected seventh overall in 2018 from
Wyoming, Allen evolved from raw cannon to 2025 MVP, blending 4,000-yard arms with
Cam Newton-esque rushing.
His arc? Overcoming early turnovers to forge Buffalo’s resurgence, with 20,000 passing
yards, 5,000 rushing, and four straight AFC East crowns. This year, Allen’s 3-1 in
primetime, snatching a record from Mahomes with three straight multi-TD efforts in the
opening three games of the season. The Bills, however, have tailed off since, sitting 9-4
ahead of week 15, and it could have been worse if it wasn’t for Joe Burrow’s fourth
quarter meltdown in week 14.
It looks as though their AFC East crown will be surrendered to the reborn Patriots (11-
2), leaving Buffalo left to fight it out for a wildcard berth. Even so, they will be expected
to mount a deep postseason run as Allen craves that elusive maiden ring. At 29, his
freight-train style promises chaos; Buffalo’s breakthrough beckons.
Conclusion
Kirk Cousins’ late-game heroics served as a timely reminder that primetime moments can still bring out the best in veteran quarterbacks. While his overall record under the lights may be mixed, nights like the Falcons’ dramatic win in Tampa show why experience still matters when the pressure is highest.
Looking across the league, stars like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen continue to set the standard in primetime, combining elite talent with the ability to deliver on the biggest stages. As the playoff race tightens, these quarterbacks and their performances under the lights could ultimately define how the 2025 NFL season is remembered.
FAQs
What are primetime NFL games?
Night games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday with national coverage.
Why is Kirk Cousins linked to primetime talk?
His record is mixed, but he has delivered several big under-the-lights wins.
Who has the best primetime record among active QBs?
Lamar Jackson ranks among the best by win percentage.
Why do primetime games matter for quarterbacks?
They shape reputation and highlight performance under pressure.
Do primetime wins ensure playoff success?
No, team depth and consistency matter more.
