.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually dealt with the team given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers set up early that Thursday night's game would certainly be a repulsive slugfest along with both crews racking up touchdowns on their very first belongings, so it seemed to be right the NFC South showdown would be made a decision by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gone into the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ran out in requirement obliged overtime, as well as Relatives took care of the remainder as he prepared a franchise record with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th consent passing goal in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 times, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between making the playoffs and also not, in between winning a division and certainly not, lies in activities enjoy this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses presently had its share of them.The Falcons have tracked within the final moment of the 4th one-fourth in each 3 of their success this period. They are the first string in NFL past history to have three success within their initial 5 games of a season in which they tracked in the final moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable next get New Orleans and also Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta possesses a very early top in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might confirm pivotal in December as well as January in what seems a tight division.QB break down: Relatives looked healthy and balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand arrangement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 lawns as well as 3 touchdowns in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be prevalent when he experiences Tampa florida Bay-- three of his 4 occupation 100-yard activities have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also grabbed his very first touchdown against Tampa fl Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of times with the Bears. He had his 1st game along with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a rushing and obtaining touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually each near to job highs for him. He carried out possess pair of decreases, nonetheless, including one that could possibly have verified costly.Most unusual efficiency: A full week after certainly not capturing a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his best statistical activity in just about a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more becoming component of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches and yards are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 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 marked his 99th goal reception, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the staff to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa winning the branch recent three years. That rang true Thursday evening, along with it now being a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a lot of players it needs to acquire well-balanced, and it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs have to learn exactly how to complete, however, along with the injustice totally prevented in the 2nd one-half and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the first 5 games are an occupation best.But after the large 1st fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely performed anything in the 2nd one-half by means of the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest gap in the game plan: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' protection submitting 550 gardens of total affront. It took a step forward recently against the Eagles in relations to missed tackles yet resisted the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in an activity considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).