.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can follow him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the staff because 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's video game would certainly be actually an offensive slugfest along with both crews racking up touchdowns on their first ownerships, so it seemed to be right the NFC South face-off will be made a decision by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth goal of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually entered into the competition after a trauma to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in law pushed overtime, and Relatives looked after the remainder as he specified a franchise document with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th okay passing touchdown in the ultimate minute of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and certainly not, in between gaining a division and not, depends on video games enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta has actually had its allotment of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the ultimate min of the 4th one-fourth in each 3 of their triumphes this period. They are the first string in NFL record to have 3 wins within their initial 5 games of a period in which they trailed in the final min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with impressive back-to-back gain New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can prove pivotal in December and also January in what seems a strict division.QB break down: Cousins looked well-balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 yards and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be dominant when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four occupation 100-yard video games have come against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally got his 1st goal against Tampa bay Bay 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 seasons with the Bears. He had his 1st game along with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he had a game along with a rushing and also getting goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are each near to profession highs for him. He did possess pair of declines, having said that, including one that could possess shown costly.Most shocking functionality: A full week after not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his best statistical video game in practically a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 yards, once again becoming aspect of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and also lawns are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, versus 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 notched his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the group to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa succeeding the division the past three years. That rang true Thursday evening, from it now being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a great deal of players it needs to obtain well-balanced, and also it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs must find out how to finish, however, with the offense fully obstructed in the 2nd fifty percent as well as poor dealing with on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, along with all three touchdowns coming against the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns by means of the first 5 video games are actually a profession best.But after the big first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely performed just about anything in the 2nd one-half through the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the game plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reservoir along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons regularly exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He surrendered an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection submitting 550 yards of overall offense. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in terms of skipped attacks but struggled against the Falcons in this division. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a game given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).