.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the group considering that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's video game would certainly be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both crews racking up goals on their initial things, so it seemed suitable the NFC South showdown would be actually made a decision by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered the contest after an injury to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in guideline forced overtime, and Relatives handled the remainder as he set a franchise business report with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth green light passing touchdown in the ultimate min of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between creating the playoffs as well as not, in between succeeding a department as well as not, lies in video games similar to this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses presently possessed its share of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the last minute of the 4th one-fourth in every three of their success this period. They are the first string in NFL record to possess 3 victories within their very first 5 games of a time through which they tracked in the final moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive next draw New Orleans as well as Tampa Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That can verify essential in December as well as January in what seems a limited division.QB break down: Relatives looked healthy and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually thrown for 350 backyards and three touchdowns in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be prevalent when he experiences Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his 4 job 100-yard games have come against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise grabbed his very first goal versus Tampa bay Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear even more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two seasons with the Bears. He possessed his very first video game with several touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had a video game with a rushing and getting goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 backyards are each near to occupation highs for him. He carried out possess two decreases, however, including one that might possess verified costly.Most unusual performance: A full week after certainly not recording a pass against New Orleans, limited side Kyle Pitts put in his absolute best analytical game in virtually a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal function, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa fl gaining the division recent three years. That proved out Thursday evening, along with it right now being actually a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a lot of players it requires to get healthy and balanced, and also it has nine times to accomplish it. The Bucs must discover how to complete, however, along with the affront totally obstructed in the 2nd half and also inadequate addressing on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st one-half, with all 3 touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals through the first five video games are actually a profession best.But after the big first fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers hardly performed everything in the second one-half through the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection surrendering 550 gardens of overall injustice. It took an advance recently against the Eagles in regards to missed confronts yet struggled against the Falcons within this department. The Falcons do with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in an activity because Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).