.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the staff given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa Gulf Buccaneers established very early that Thursday night's video game would be an objectionable slugfest along with both staffs racking up goals on their very first ownerships, so it seemed fitting the NFC South face-off would be made a decision by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the competition after an accident to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ran out in guideline obliged overtime, and also Cousins cared for the rest as he set a franchise business report with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his fifth okay passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs and certainly not, between succeeding a department and certainly not, hinges on games such as this one, and also Atlanta georgia has already had its own reveal of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate min of the fourth quarter with all three of their wins this season. They are actually the first team in NFL record to have three success within their initial 5 activities of a period in which they tracked in the ultimate min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic next gain New Orleans and Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta ga possesses an early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That might verify critical in December and January in what looks a limited division.QB break down: Cousins appeared healthy as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 backyards and three goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually leading when he encounters Tampa Gulf-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard activities have arrived against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise grabbed his initial goal against Tampa Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 periods along with the Bears. He had his 1st activity with multiple goal catches-- in 2021 he had a video game with a rushing and getting touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both close to profession highs for him. He did possess pair of drops, nonetheless, consisting of one that could possibly have shown costly.Most unusual functionality: A week after not recording a pass against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical activity in practically a year, getting 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also lawns are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal celebration, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl gaining the division the past 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 has a great deal of gamers it needs to have to get well-balanced, as well as it possesses nine times to do it. The Bucs have to know how to finish, however, along with the offense completely put on hold in the second fifty percent and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, three goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the initial five games are actually an occupation best.But after the large initial fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely did just about anything in the second half with the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the game plan: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reserve along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons regularly capitalized on K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' defense giving up 550 yards of total injustice. It took a step forward recently against the Eagles in relations to skipped tackles however struggled against the Falcons in this department. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in a video game since Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).