.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually covered the staff considering that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa Gulf Buccaneers established early that Thursday evening's video game will be an outrageous slugfest with both groups scoring goals on their initial properties, so it seemed to be right the NFC South showdown would be made a decision through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth touchdown of the game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in the contest after a personal injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in guideline forced overtime, and also Cousins took care of the rest as he established a franchise report along with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his 5th consent passing touchdown in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs and certainly not, in between winning a department and also certainly not, lies in video games enjoy this one, and Atlanta ga has currently had its allotment of them.The Falcons have trailed within the last moment of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their wins this period. They are actually the first string in NFL background to possess three triumphes within their first five games of a season through which they tracked in the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic next get New Orleans as well as Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta ga has an early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could show critical in December and also January in what appears to be a strict division.QB failure: Relatives appeared healthy and balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 backyards and 3 goals in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually leading when he experiences Tampa fl Bay-- three of his 4 job 100-yard games have arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He additionally got his initial touchdown versus Tampa Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look additional like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two periods with the Bears. He possessed his 1st video game along with several goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity along with a hurrying as well as getting touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually both near to profession highs for him. He did have 2 declines, nevertheless, including one that could possibly have shown costly.Most shocking functionality: A full week after certainly not catching a pass versus New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts invested his ideal statistical video game in almost a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming portion of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches as well as lawns are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown function, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the group to defeat in the NFC South, despite Tampa bay succeeding the division recent 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, from it presently being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a bunch of gamers it requires to acquire healthy and balanced, and also it possesses 9 days to carry out it. The Bucs must learn just how to finish, however, along with the affront totally put on hold in the 2nd fifty percent and also bad tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 goals-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the initial 5 activities are actually an occupation best.But after the significant first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers hardly carried out anything in the second fifty percent via the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense submitting 550 backyards of overall offense. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in terms of missed confronts but resisted the Falcons within this department. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their most in a video game considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).