.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You may follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually covered the team since 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday evening's game would be an outrageous slugfest with both groups scoring goals on their very first properties, so it seemed to be right the NFC South face-off would be decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in the contest after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in rule pushed overtime, and Relatives looked after the remainder as he established a franchise document along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth okay passing touchdown in the last moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 periods, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between gaining a division and also certainly not, hinges on games like this one, as well as Atlanta georgia has actually possessed its allotment of them.The Falcons have routed within the last moment of the fourth one-fourth in each three of their success this period. They are actually the first string in NFL history to possess three victories within their first 5 activities of a season in which they trailed in the final minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable back-to-back gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta ga has a very early top in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly verify pivotal in December and January in what appears to be a limited division.QB failure: Relatives looked healthy and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually thrown for 350 gardens and 3 goals in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he experiences Tampa bay Gulf-- 3 of his four career 100-yard games have come against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally picked up his initial touchdown versus Tampa fl Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to look additional like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two periods with the Bears. He had his very first video game with a number of touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had an activity with a hurrying as well as acquiring touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually both near to job highs for him. He did have 2 drops, however, including one that could possess proved costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A full week after not recording an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical game in practically a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and 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. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal event, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the staff to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa florida winning the branch recent 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, using it today being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a ton of gamers it needs to have to receive healthy and balanced, and also it possesses 9 days to do it. The Bucs need to find out exactly how to finish, though, with the offense completely put on hold in the second half and unsatisfactory addressing on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st half, with all three touchdowns coming against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the very first 5 activities are actually a profession best.But after the huge initial one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely did anything in the 2nd fifty percent via the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the tactical plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons often exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 gardens of overall affront. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in terms of missed confronts but resisted the Falcons within this department. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a video game because Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).