.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually covered the staff since 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers established very early that Thursday evening's video game would certainly be a repulsive slugfest with both teams scoring touchdowns on their very first belongings, so it appeared fitting the NFC South showdown would be actually chosen through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in the contest after an accident to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in regulation pushed overtime, as well as Relatives cared for the remainder as he established a franchise business document along with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th consent passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 times, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between creating the playoffs and also not, between winning a branch as well as not, hinges on video games similar to this one, and Atlanta possesses currently had its portion of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the final moment of the fourth quarter in each 3 of their triumphes this season. They are the first team in NFL history to have 3 success within their initial 5 video games of a period in which they trailed in the last min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable back-to-back draw New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta has an early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm pivotal in December as well as January in what appears to be a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins looked healthy as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 backyards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 gardens and also three touchdowns in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be leading when he encounters Tampa fl Bay-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also got his very first touchdown against Tampa Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of periods along with the Bears. He had his initial activity with numerous goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity along with a rushing as well as getting touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually each close to occupation highs for him. He performed have pair of drops, nevertheless, including one that might possess confirmed costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A week after not recording a pass versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his best analytical video game in almost a year, getting 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more becoming component of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also gardens are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown celebration, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the group to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa florida gaining the branch recent three years. That rang true Thursday night, with it presently being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a great deal of players it needs to receive healthy and balanced, and it possesses 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs have to learn exactly how to complete, though, with the affront fully stymied in the second half and also poor addressing on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 backyards, 3 goals-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the initial half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the very first 5 games are a career best.But after the huge 1st half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely performed anything in the 2nd one-half via the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve with a shoulder accident, the Falcons routinely manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 backyards of overall injustice. It took a breakthrough last week versus the Eagles in relations to missed out on attacks yet resisted the Falcons in this particular team. The Falcons finished with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in a video game considering that Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).