.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may observe him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually covered the group considering that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons as well as Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers created very early that Thursday night's activity would be an outrageous slugfest with both crews scoring touchdowns on their 1st belongings, so it seemed suitable the NFC South showdown would be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered 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 ended in rule pushed overtime, and Cousins looked after the remainder as he prepared a franchise file along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his fifth consent passing touchdown in the last min of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, between gaining a division and also certainly not, lies in games such as this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses currently possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have trailed within the last min of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their wins this period. They are the first team in NFL past history to have 3 triumphes within their 1st five video games of a season in which they tracked in the ultimate min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable back-to-back sway New Orleans and Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta possesses an early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could confirm pivotal in December and also January in what appears to be a limited division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 backyards as well as three goals 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 prevalent when he experiences Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his four occupation 100-yard video games have come against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He also got his very first goal versus Tampa fl Gulf in the first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of times with the Bears. He possessed his initial video game with a number of goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and obtaining goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both close to profession highs for him. He did possess two declines, nonetheless, including one that could have verified costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A week after not capturing a pass versus New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts placed in his best statistical activity in almost a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming portion of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches and also yards are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown celebration, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa florida succeeding the division recent three years. That rang true Thursday evening, with it now being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a great deal of players it requires to get well-balanced, and it possesses nine times to carry out it. The Bucs have to know how to complete, however, with the injustice totally obstructed in the second one-half and unsatisfactory addressing on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield completed 13 of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the first fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, along with all three touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the first five activities are a job best.But after the large very first one-half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers hardly performed everything in the second fifty percent with the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons consistently exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 yards of total affront. It took a progression recently versus the Eagles in terms of skipped confronts but resisted the Falcons in this department. The Falcons completed with 235 yards after the catch, their most in a video game because Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).