.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the group given that 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers set up early that Thursday evening's game would be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both staffs racking up goals on their 1st properties, so it seemed to be fitting the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually made a decision through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the contest after a trauma to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in policy compelled overtime, as well as Relatives looked after the remainder as he established a franchise business report along with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his 5th consent passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, between succeeding a branch and also certainly not, hinges on video games such as this one, and Atlanta possesses presently possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the final minute of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their triumphes this season. They are actually the first team in NFL history to possess 3 success within their initial 5 activities of a period in which they tracked in the final min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with significant next get New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta possesses an early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can confirm crucial in December as well as January in what seems a tight division.QB malfunction: Cousins looked healthy and back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has thrown for 350 backyards and three goals in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually leading when he deals with Tampa fl Gulf-- three of his four job 100-yard games have come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally grabbed his first goal versus Tampa Gulf in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of periods with the Bears. He possessed his very first game with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed a video game along with a hurrying as well as acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually each near career highs for him. He carried out possess two decreases, nonetheless, featuring one that can have verified costly.Most surprising functionality: A full week after certainly not catching a successfully pass versus New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts invested his finest statistical video game in nearly a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as component of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and also gardens are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 gardens 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 goal event, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the group to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa gaining the division recent three years. That proved out Thursday evening, using it presently being a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a great deal of gamers it needs to acquire healthy and balanced, and it has nine days to perform it. The Bucs have to learn just how to finish, though, along with the offense completely obstructed in the second fifty percent as well as inadequate handling on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, along with all three touchdowns arriving against the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the very first 5 video games are actually a career best.But after the huge very first one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers hardly carried out just about anything in the 2nd half via the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reservoir along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 backyards of total injustice. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in relations to missed attacks but struggled against the Falcons in this department. The Falcons do with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in a game considering that Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).