.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can follow him through 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, but she has covered the crew because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa Bay Buccaneers established very early that Thursday evening's game would be actually an annoying slugfest with both groups racking up goals on their 1st things, so it appeared right the NFC South face-off will be made a decision through a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered into the competition after a personal injury to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in rule pushed overtime, as well as Relatives cared for the remainder as he established a franchise business record along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th green light passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the last five periods, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs as well as not, between winning a branch and not, hinges on games like this one, and also Atlanta possesses actually possessed its share of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter in each 3 of their triumphes this period. They are actually the first string in NFL history to have three success within their initial 5 activities of a season in which they tracked in the final min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable next gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta possesses an early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That can verify pivotal in December and also January in what seems a tight division.QB malfunction: Relatives looked healthy as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be dominant when he faces Tampa fl Bay-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard video games have arrived versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also picked up his 1st goal against Tampa florida Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 times with the Bears. He possessed his 1st activity with multiple goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed a video game along with a hurrying as well as receiving goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually each near to job highs for him. He performed possess two decreases, having said that, including one that might have confirmed costly.Most unexpected efficiency: A full week after not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts placed in his best statistical game in practically a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again emerging as component of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also backyards are his very most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal celebration, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the staff to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa gaining the division the past three years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it presently being actually a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of gamers it needs to receive healthy, as well as it possesses nine days to do it. The Bucs have to find out exactly how to end up, however, with the offense totally prevented in the 2nd half and also unsatisfactory handling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns by means of the very first 5 games are a job best.But after the huge 1st fifty percent, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely carried out everything in the second one-half with the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reserve with a shoulder injury, the Falcons often made use of K.J. Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 yards of overall injustice. It took a progression recently against the Eagles in regards to skipped attacks but struggled against the Falcons in this department. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in a video game because Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).