.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has dealt with the group given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday evening's video game would be actually an objectionable slugfest with both teams scoring touchdowns on their 1st ownerships, so it appeared suitable the NFC South face-off will be determined through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gotten into the competition 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 ran out in policy forced overtime, and also Relatives looked after the remainder as he set a franchise document with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his 5th okay passing goal in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is actually the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs and also not, between gaining a division and also certainly not, depends on video games like this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses actually possessed its share of them.The Falcons have routed within the last min of the fourth one-fourth in every 3 of their victories this season. They are the first team in NFL record to possess 3 triumphes within their very first five activities of a time in which they routed in the last minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable next gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta has an early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly prove essential in December as well as January in what seems a tight division.QB breakdown: Relatives looked healthy and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually tossed for 350 lawns and three goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually leading when he faces Tampa florida Gulf-- three of his four career 100-yard activities have arrived against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also grabbed his initial goal versus Tampa fl Gulf in the first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of times with the Bears. He possessed his 1st video game along with numerous touchdown finds-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a rushing and acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 gardens are both close to career highs for him. He did possess two drops, nevertheless, consisting of one that can have proved costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A full week after not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical game in just about a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more emerging as portion of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches as well as gardens are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown reception, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the group to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa bay winning the branch the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, with it today being actually a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a considerable amount of players it requires to obtain well-balanced, as well as it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs must find out exactly how to end up, though, along with the injustice totally stymied in the 2nd fifty percent and also inadequate tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield finished 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, three goals-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, with all three touchdowns coming against the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the very first 5 video games are actually a profession best.But after the significant first half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers hardly did just about anything in the 2nd fifty percent via the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reservoir with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons repeatedly manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He surrendered an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense giving up 550 backyards of overall injustice. It took a progression recently versus the Eagles in regards to skipped confronts yet struggled against the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in a game given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).