.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the group due to the fact that 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday evening's game would certainly be an objectionable slugfest along with both crews racking up goals on their very first things, so it seemed to be fitting the NFC South showdown would be actually determined by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time expired in law obliged overtime, as well as Cousins looked after the remainder as he specified a franchise business record with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his 5th okay passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the last 5 periods, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs and certainly not, between winning a department and also not, depends on games similar to this one, and Atlanta has currently possessed its own allotment of them.The Falcons have routed within the final minute of the 4th one-fourth in each three of their triumphes this season. They are actually the first string in NFL background to possess three victories within their first 5 activities of a period through which they routed in the final min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic next wins over New Orleans and also Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta georgia has an early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm critical in December and January in what appears to be a tight division.QB malfunction: Relatives 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 passes for 509 lawns, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has tossed for 350 gardens and 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 dominant when he faces Tampa bay Gulf-- 3 of his four profession 100-yard video games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He also grabbed his initial goal versus Tampa bay Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of periods along with the Bears. He had his 1st game with a number of touchdown sees-- in 2021 he had an activity with a rushing as well as receiving goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are each near to career highs for him. He performed have two reduces, having said that, featuring one that might possess proved costly.Most unexpected efficiency: A week after not capturing a pass versus New Orleans, tight conclusion Kyle Pitts placed in his best analytical game in nearly a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again becoming portion of Atlanta's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his very most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown event, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to beat in the NFC South, even with Tampa succeeding the division recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it now being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a considerable amount of gamers it requires to get well-balanced, and it possesses nine days to carry out it. The Bucs must learn exactly how to finish, though, with the affront completely put on hold in the second fifty percent and also bad dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 gardens, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, with all 3 touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the initial five activities are a profession best.But after the large first half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely carried out everything in the 2nd one-half with the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reservoir along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons regularly manipulated K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense giving up 550 yards of overall offense. It took a breakthrough last week versus the Eagles in relations to missed confronts yet struggled against the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons completed with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in an activity due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).