.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the crew because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's game would certainly be an outrageous slugfest with both staffs scoring goals on their first possessions, so it seemed fitting the NFC South showdown will be determined 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 gotten into the contest after a personal injury to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ended in regulation obliged overtime, and Cousins dealt with the remainder as he specified a franchise document along with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta ga (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his 5th okay passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between creating the playoffs and also not, in between gaining a department and not, hinges on games such as this one, as well as Atlanta georgia has currently had its reveal of them.The Falcons have routed within the final moment of the 4th quarter in each 3 of their victories this period. They are the first string in NFL past history to have 3 victories within their very first five activities of a period in which they routed in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic next draw New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can confirm crucial in December and also January in what seems a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared healthy and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 backyards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 yards and also 3 goals in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually leading when he experiences Tampa bay Gulf-- three of his 4 career 100-yard activities have come against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise picked up his first goal versus Tampa Gulf in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his first game along with various touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a hurrying as well as acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near job highs for him. He carried out have 2 decreases, having said that, featuring one that could possibly have verified costly.Most unusual functionality: A week after not catching an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his ideal analytical video game in nearly a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 yards, once again becoming component of Atlanta's offense. His catches and also lawns are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown event, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the team to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa florida succeeding the division the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, from it today being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a considerable amount of players it needs to have to receive healthy, and it possesses nine days to perform it. The Bucs need to learn exactly how to end up, however, with the injustice entirely obstructed in the 2nd half and also bad tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 yards, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the first half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals with the 1st 5 video games are actually a career best.But after the significant first fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely performed everything in the 2nd fifty percent via the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategy: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons consistently manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He surrendered an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 backyards of total offense. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in terms of missed out on attacks but resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons finished with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in a video game considering that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).