.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually covered the team considering that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and also Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers established very early that Thursday night's game would certainly be actually an outrageous slugfest with both crews scoring goals on their first things, so it seemed right the NFC South showdown would be actually made a decision by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten into the contest after a trauma to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in rule required overtime, as well as Cousins cared for the remainder as he specified a franchise file along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth green light passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between making the playoffs and also certainly not, between gaining a division and certainly not, hinges on games enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta has actually had its own allotment of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the final min of the fourth quarter with all three of their triumphes this period. They are actually the first string in NFL record to possess 3 success within their first 5 activities of a period in which they tracked in the last moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with significant next wins over New Orleans and 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 prove pivotal in December and also January in what seems a strict division.QB failure: Cousins appeared well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually tossed for 350 lawns as well as 3 goals in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be dominant when he experiences Tampa fl Gulf-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard video games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise picked up his initial goal versus Tampa Bay in the initial quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final 2 times with the Bears. He had his first video game with a number of touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed a game with a rushing as well as acquiring goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are both near profession highs for him. He performed possess 2 declines, nonetheless, consisting of one that could possibly have shown costly.Most shocking functionality: A full week after certainly not catching a pass against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical game in just about a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming component of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown event, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the group to trump in the NFC South, despite Tampa winning the division recent 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, along with it now being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a considerable amount of gamers it needs to have to receive healthy, and it has nine times to carry out it. The Bucs need to discover how to finish, however, along with the affront totally obstructed in the second one-half and also unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals through the 1st five activities are a profession best.But after the large very first one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely performed anything in the 2nd one-half by means of the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategy: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 lawns of overall offense. It took a step forward last week against the Eagles in relations to skipped tackles however resisted the Falcons in this division. The Falcons do with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in an activity because Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).