.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the staff considering that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday evening's video game would be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both teams scoring goals on their 1st properties, so it seemed suitable the NFC South showdown would certainly be chosen through a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th goal of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gotten into the competition after an injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in rule compelled overtime, as well as Relatives cared for the rest as he prepared a franchise document along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the last min of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is actually the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, between succeeding a department and also not, depends on games similar to this one, and also Atlanta georgia has already possessed its allotment of them.The Falcons have trailed within the final min of the fourth one-fourth with all three of their triumphes this period. They are actually the first team in NFL past history to have 3 victories within their initial 5 activities of a season through which they routed in the final moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable next draw New Orleans and Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta ga has an early top in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That can show critical in December as well as January in what appears to be a limited division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared well-balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has thrown for 350 backyards and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be prevalent when he deals with Tampa Gulf-- three of his four profession 100-yard games have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally got his 1st goal versus Tampa bay Gulf in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of seasons with the Bears. He had his 1st game along with a number of goal finds-- in 2021 he had a video game with a hurrying as well as getting goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are each near profession highs for him. He did possess two declines, having said that, including one that could have verified costly.Most unusual functionality: A full week after not catching a pass against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts placed in his ideal analytical activity in just about a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 yards, once more becoming aspect of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches and also yards are his very most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 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 scratched his 99th touchdown function, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the group to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa florida gaining the division the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, with it today being a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a considerable amount of players it needs to obtain healthy and balanced, and also it has 9 days to perform it. The Bucs have to discover how to end up, though, with the injustice totally obstructed in the 2nd one-half as well as bad handling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 touchdowns-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the 1st one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the initial five games are a job best.But after the major first one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely did everything in the second half through the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategy: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons consistently capitalized on K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 lawns of total injustice. It took a step forward last week versus the Eagles in terms of missed tackles however resisted the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in a game because Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).