The NFL prime-time lights can make or break players in the biggest moments of big games.
Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge falls into the former category, making a name for himself with a game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat the Buccaneers on "Thursday Night Football."
In a 36-30 shootout where Atlanta star receiver Drake London went for 12 receptions, 154 yards, and a touchdown and Tampa Bay star receiver Mike Evans posted five receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns, it was Hodge who was the unlikely hero.
The undrafted seven-year veteran only had one reception in the game prior to the catch that sealed the victory for the Falcons.
For more on Hodge's game-winning play and background to get to the NFL, The Sporting News has you covered below.
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KhaDarel Hodge game-winning touchdown
Hodge was only on the field for the final moment of the game because star receiver Drake London was banged up on the previous play.
Kirk Cousins went to London on back-to-back throws for gains of six and 18 yards, respectively, bringing the Falcons into Tampa Bay territory. London appeared to suffer a minor injury after the second catch and went to the sidelines, allowing Hodge to step onto the field for the highlight of his career.
Hodge only had one catch for 22 yards at the time but Cousins trusted his unheralded wideout. He hit Hodge on a quick five-yard curl route and the 29-year-old did the rest, shedding one tackle before breaking through Tampa Bay's secondary untouched for a 45-yard game-winning touchdown.
ITS OVER FOLKS! @ATLANTAFALCONS WIN! pic.twitter.com/0siBNxaHKQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Hodge finished the night with two catches for 67 yards and the biggest touchdown of his seven NFL seasons to bring the Falcons to 3-2 on the season in a crucial NFC South divisional game.
Who is KhaDarel Hodge?
Hodge is a 29-year-old WR who is in his seventh NFL season.
The D'Lo, Miss. native took an unorthodox path to the league. He was a quarterback in high school and his first year of college at Alcorn State before he transferred to Hinds Community College.
Hodge made the switch to wide receiver in one year at Hinds CC, then transferred again to Division-I FCS school Prarie View A&M.
He played three seasons at Prarie View, collecting 104 passes for 1,797 yards and 12 touchdowns to earn All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors.
Hodge went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft but has found a way to stick around in the league ever since.
KhaDarel Hodge NFL career, stats
Hodge is in the fourth stop of his NFL career, previously playing for the Rams, Browns, and Lions.
Hodge signed with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in 2018 then bounced to Cleveland from 2019-20. He spent one season in Detroit in 2021 and has been with Atlanta since 2022.
In seven seasons, Hodge had collected 57 receptions, 864 yards, and one touchdown prior to Thursday's heroics.
| Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yds | TDs |
| 2018 | Rams | 14 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| 2019 | Browns | 16 | 4 | 76 | 0 |
| 2020 | Browns | 9 | 11 | 180 | 0 |
| 2021 | Lions | 16 | 13 | 157 | 0 |
| 2022 | Falcons | 17 | 13 | 202 | 1 |
| 2023 | Falcons | 17 | 14 | 232 | 0 |
| 2024 | Falcons | 5 | 2 | 67 | 1 |
| Career | 94 | 59 | 931 | 2 |
Khadarel Hodge 40 time
Hodge ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in 2018.
Despite his burst of speed on the game-winning touchdown, that is relatively slow for a wide receiver.
