.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You may follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually dealt with the staff because 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be an annoying slugfest with both groups racking up goals on their very first ownerships, so it seemed proper the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually determined by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gone into the competition after an injury to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in guideline compelled overtime, and Relatives looked after the rest as he established a franchise business report along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his 5th go-ahead passing touchdown in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 periods, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, in between gaining a division and also not, lies in activities similar to this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses currently possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have routed within the ultimate moment of the fourth one-fourth in each 3 of their victories this time. They are the first string in NFL record to have three triumphes within their very first 5 activities of a time through which they tracked in the last min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic back-to-back get New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses an early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm critical in December as well as January in what looks a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins looked well-balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually tossed for 350 backyards and also 3 goals in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually prevalent when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four job 100-yard activities have arrived versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally picked up his initial touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two seasons with the Bears. He had his first video game with various touchdown finds-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a rushing and getting touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually both near career highs for him. He carried out possess 2 drops, nonetheless, including one that could possibly have confirmed costly.Most astonishing performance: A week after not capturing a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his finest analytical game in nearly a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming part of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches and yards are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown celebration, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa succeeding the department the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, with it right now being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of players it requires to acquire well-balanced, and also it has nine days to do it. The Bucs have to discover just how to finish, though, with the injustice entirely put on hold in the 2nd fifty percent as well as bad tackling on defense.QB failure: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, three touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first one-half, with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the initial 5 games are a career best.But after the huge 1st half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely did everything in the 2nd fifty percent through the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely capitalized on K.J. Britt in coverage. He gave up an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense submitting 550 lawns of total affront. It took a progression recently versus the Eagles in relations to skipped attacks however struggled against the Falcons in this particular team. The Falcons do with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in an activity considering that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).