.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the crew since 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday night's game would be actually an offending slugfest with both staffs scoring goals on their initial belongings, so it seemed right the NFC South face-off would certainly be actually determined by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten into the contest after an accident to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ended in regulation pushed overtime, and also Relatives looked after the rest as he set a franchise business file along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth permission passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, in between winning a division and also certainly not, lies in video games enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta georgia possesses actually had its own reveal of them.The Falcons have tracked within the last moment of the fourth quarter with all 3 of their success this period. They are actually the first team in NFL history to possess three triumphes within their first 5 games of a season through which they routed in the last min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back draw New Orleans and Tampa Bay, Atlanta has a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That might verify crucial in December and January in what looks a tight division.QB malfunction: Cousins appeared healthy and back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 backyards, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 yards and 3 goals in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually dominant when he deals with Tampa fl Bay-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise grabbed his initial touchdown against Tampa fl Bay in the very first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his initial activity with multiple touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had a game along with a rushing as well as obtaining touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 gardens are both near to profession highs for him. He did possess pair of reduces, however, consisting of one that might have proved costly.Most astonishing performance: A full week after certainly not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best analytical activity in just about a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming part of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and yards are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 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. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown event, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the team to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl winning the branch recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, from it presently being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a considerable amount of gamers it needs to acquire well-balanced, and it has 9 days to carry out it. The Bucs need to know just how to complete, though, with the affront totally stymied in the second one-half and also poor tackling on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield finished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, with all three touchdowns arriving versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the first 5 games are an occupation best.But after the huge 1st one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely carried out just about anything in the second fifty percent by means of the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest hole in the game plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reserve along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons routinely made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He gave up an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 yards of complete injustice. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in relations to skipped tackles yet resisted the Falcons within this team. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their most in a game since Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).