.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the staff since 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's video game would be actually a repulsive slugfest along with both staffs racking up goals on their 1st properties, so it seemed right the NFC South face-off will be actually determined by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered the competition 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 expired in regulation obliged overtime, and Relatives took care of the rest as he established a franchise document with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his fifth okay passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between winning a department and also not, depends on games enjoy this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses already possessed its portion of them.The Falcons have tracked within the ultimate minute of the 4th one-fourth in every 3 of their success this period. They are actually the first team in NFL record to possess 3 victories within their 1st 5 activities of a time through which they routed in the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant back-to-back wins over New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta ga has an early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly show crucial in December as well as January in what appears to be a limited division.QB breakdown: Relatives appeared healthy and back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens and also 3 goals in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be actually dominant when he encounters Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his four occupation 100-yard activities have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise picked up his 1st touchdown versus Tampa fl Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 periods with the Bears. He had his first activity along with various touchdown finds-- in 2021 he possessed a video game along with a hurrying and getting goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 gardens are both near job highs for him. He performed have two decreases, nevertheless, featuring one that could possess confirmed costly.Most surprising performance: A week after not catching a pass against New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his finest statistical game in nearly a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming component of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and backyards are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal function, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to defeat in the NFC South, despite Tampa fl gaining the division the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, from it right now being a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a bunch of gamers it requires to obtain healthy, and it has nine times to perform it. The Bucs have to discover how to end up, however, along with the offense fully obstructed in the second fifty percent as well as unsatisfactory handling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the 1st 5 video games are actually a career best.But after the major very first one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely did anything in the 2nd half through the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategic plan: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons routinely capitalized on K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 gardens of complete offense. It took a step forward recently against the Eagles in regards to missed tackles yet resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons completed with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in an activity considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).