.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually dealt with the staff because 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers established early that Thursday evening's game would be actually an offending slugfest along with both teams scoring touchdowns on their first belongings, so it seemed to be suitable the NFC South face-off would be made a decision through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gotten in the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time expired in requirement forced overtime, and Cousins cared for the remainder as he prepared a franchise business record with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth consent passing goal in the final minute of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs and also not, between gaining a division and also not, depends on activities like this one, as well as Atlanta has currently possessed its allotment of them.The Falcons have routed within the final moment of the 4th quarter in every 3 of their success this time. They are the first team in NFL past to have 3 success within their first five games of a period in which they tracked in the ultimate minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive next get New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can confirm essential in December and January in what looks a tight division.QB failure: Relatives appeared well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually tossed for 350 gardens and 3 goals in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be dominant when he encounters Tampa fl Gulf-- 3 of his four career 100-yard games have come against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise grabbed his first touchdown against Tampa Gulf in the first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of times along with the Bears. He had his 1st video game with various goal gets-- in 2021 he had an activity with a hurrying as well as acquiring touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are each near job highs for him. He performed possess pair of reduces, having said that, consisting of one that could possibly have confirmed costly.Most astonishing performance: A full week after not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts invested his best analytical activity in just about a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming aspect of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown reception, 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 trump in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa bay winning the division recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it presently being a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a great deal of gamers it requires to get well-balanced, and also it possesses nine days to perform it. The Bucs must learn just how to finish, however, along with the offense totally prevented in the second one-half and inadequate handling on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield finished 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, three touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first one-half, along with all three touchdowns arriving versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the 1st 5 games are actually an occupation best.But after the huge very first half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers rarely performed everything in the second half through the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest gap in the game plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons often manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He surrendered an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense surrendering 550 gardens of total injustice. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in terms of missed out on tackles yet resisted the Falcons in this department. The Falcons finished with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in a game because Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).