.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can easily observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa Bay Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday night's video game would certainly be actually an offending slugfest along with both staffs scoring goals on their first belongings, so it seemed fitting the NFC South face-off would be actually decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th goal of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gone into the contest after an injury to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in policy pushed overtime, and also Relatives dealt with the rest as he established a franchise file along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth permission passing goal in the final min of regulation/OT in the last 5 periods, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs and also not, between gaining a department as well as not, depends on games like this one, and Atlanta has already had its own reveal of them.The Falcons have routed within the last minute of the 4th one-fourth with all 3 of their victories this period. They are actually the first team in NFL past to possess three victories within their very first 5 games of a season in which they trailed in the last moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back draw New Orleans and also Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta georgia has a very early top in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly show essential in December and also January in what looks a tight division.QB failure: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand contract to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 lawns and also 3 goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually leading when he deals with Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his four career 100-yard activities have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He additionally grabbed his initial touchdown versus Tampa florida Gulf in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 periods along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st activity along with a number of touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and also getting touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are each close to career highs for him. He performed have two decreases, having said that, including one that might possess shown costly.Most astonishing performance: A week after certainly not recording an elapsed versus New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his absolute best statistical game in virtually a year, getting 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches as well as backyards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal event, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa gaining the division the past three years. That proved out Thursday night, using it today being actually a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a ton of gamers it needs to acquire healthy, and it has 9 days to carry out it. The Bucs need to learn how to finish, however, with the offense totally stymied in the 2nd one-half and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB failure: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 backyards, three touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the 1st five games are an occupation best.But after the major first one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely performed everything in the 2nd half via the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' protection surrendering 550 backyards of total offense. It took a step forward last week versus the Eagles in terms of missed out on confronts however struggled against the Falcons in this team. The Falcons completed with 235 yards after the catch, their most in a game given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).