.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You may observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has dealt with the group due to the fact that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's video game would be actually an offending slugfest along with both groups scoring goals on their 1st things, so it seemed to be suitable the NFC South face-off would certainly be chosen by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth touchdown of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually entered the contest after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ended in requirement forced overtime, and also Cousins looked after the remainder as he established a franchise file with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th consent passing touchdown in the last moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 times, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between creating the playoffs and also not, between winning a division as well as not, depends on video games such as this one, and also Atlanta ga has currently had its reveal of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the final min of the fourth one-fourth in every 3 of their triumphes this season. They are the first team in NFL background to possess three wins within their 1st five activities of a time through which they tracked in the ultimate minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with significant back-to-back gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay, Atlanta possesses a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That might show critical in December and January in what appears to be a strict division.QB failure: Relatives looked healthy and back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand contract to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 gardens and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be leading when he experiences Tampa Bay-- 3 of his four profession 100-yard activities have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally grabbed his first touchdown against Tampa bay Bay in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final 2 times with the Bears. He had his very first game with numerous goal catches-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a hurrying and obtaining touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both close to occupation highs for him. He performed have pair of reduces, nonetheless, consisting of one that could possess confirmed costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after certainly not capturing a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts invested his best analytical game in virtually a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 yards, once again emerging as part of Atlanta's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his most since Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the group to beat in the NFC South, even with Tampa bay succeeding the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, along with it right now being actually a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of players it needs to have to acquire healthy and balanced, as well as it possesses nine days to perform it. The Bucs have to discover exactly how to end up, though, with the offense entirely put on hold in the 2nd fifty percent and inadequate handling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, three touchdowns-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the first fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns coming against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the first five games are a career best.But after the large initial one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely performed anything in the 2nd half via the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reservoir along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He gave up an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 yards of complete injustice. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in relations to missed out on confronts but resisted the Falcons in this department. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in a game due to the fact that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).