.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the staff since 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be an outrageous slugfest along with both crews scoring touchdowns on their first possessions, so it seemed to be proper the NFC South showdown will be actually determined by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in requirement obliged overtime, and also Relatives handled the remainder as he established a franchise report along with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth go-ahead passing goal in the last minute of regulation/OT in the final five times, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs as well as not, in between gaining a department and also certainly not, lies in games such as this one, and Atlanta georgia possesses currently had its allotment of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the final min of the 4th one-fourth with all 3 of their success this time. They are the first string in NFL past history to possess three success within their first five video games of a time in which they tracked in the final moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with significant back-to-back gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay, Atlanta has a very early lead in the NFC South with the help of tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That might confirm essential in December and also January in what seems a limited division.QB breakdown: Cousins looked healthy and balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 gardens as well as 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually prevalent when he faces Tampa fl Bay-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard activities have arrived versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He additionally picked up his initial goal against Tampa Bay in the very first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 times along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st game with a number of touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity along with a hurrying and also acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are each near career highs for him. He carried out have two decreases, nevertheless, including one that might have shown costly.Most surprising efficiency: A week after not capturing a pass versus New Orleans, tight conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his best statistical game in just about a year, getting 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again becoming portion of Atlanta's offense. His catches and backyards are his very most given that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns 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 touchdown function, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa fl succeeding the division recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, with it now being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a lot of players it requires to get healthy, as well as it possesses nine times to accomplish it. The Bucs have to know just how to complete, though, with the affront completely prevented in the second one-half as well as bad tackling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, three 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 first one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the first 5 video games are actually a profession best.But after the major first half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely did anything in the second one-half via the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense submitting 550 lawns of overall offense. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in regards to missed confronts but resisted the Falcons in this particular team. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in an activity since Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).