.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You may observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the group given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's activity will be a repulsive slugfest along with both staffs racking up touchdowns on their 1st properties, so it seemed fitting the NFC South face-off would certainly be chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gone into the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in rule forced overtime, as well as Relatives handled the rest as he established a franchise business record along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his 5th permission passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the final 5 times, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, between gaining a branch and also certainly not, lies in video games enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta georgia possesses currently had its own portion of them.The Falcons have tracked within the final minute of the 4th quarter in each three of their triumphes this time. They are the first string in NFL past to have 3 triumphes within their very first five activities of a period in which they tracked in the last minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable back-to-back get New Orleans and also Tampa Bay, Atlanta ga has an early lead in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly verify crucial in December as well as January in what seems a strict division.QB break down: Cousins looked healthy and balanced as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens as well as 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually leading when he experiences Tampa florida Gulf-- three of his four occupation 100-yard activities have come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise got his initial touchdown against Tampa fl Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 times with the Bears. He possessed his very first video game with several touchdown finds-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a hurrying as well as obtaining goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually each near job highs for him. He did have 2 decreases, having said that, including one that could possibly possess shown costly.Most unusual efficiency: A full week after not capturing a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited side Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best analytical activity in nearly a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 yards, once more emerging as component of Atlanta's offense. His catches and also gardens are his very most given that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal celebration, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa bay gaining the division the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, along with it today being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a great deal of players it requires to receive healthy and balanced, as well as it possesses nine times to carry out it. The Bucs have to discover exactly how to end up, though, along with the offense entirely put on hold in the second one-half and also bad tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, three touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the 1st five games are actually a job best.But after the large first one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely did anything in the 2nd half via the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons often capitalized on K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense giving up 550 lawns of total offense. It took an advance recently versus the Eagles in regards to overlooked confronts but resisted the Falcons in this division. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a video game because Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).