.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the crew considering that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and also Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's video game will be actually an offending slugfest along with both staffs racking up touchdowns on their very first ownerships, so it appeared fitting the NFC South showdown would certainly be chosen through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had entered the competition after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time expired in law compelled overtime, and Relatives dealt with the rest as he established a franchise business report with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th green light passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs as well as not, between succeeding a department as well as certainly not, hinges on games such as this one, and Atlanta georgia has already had its own reveal of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the final minute of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their wins this period. They are the first team in NFL history to possess three victories within their 1st 5 activities of a time in which they trailed in the final min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with impressive next sway New Orleans and also Tampa Bay, Atlanta georgia has an early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can prove crucial in December and January in what seems a strict division.QB malfunction: Relatives looked healthy and balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be leading when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four profession 100-yard games have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise picked up his 1st touchdown versus Tampa florida Bay in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of times with the Bears. He possessed his 1st video game with a number of goal finds-- in 2021 he had a game with a rushing and also obtaining touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both close to job highs for him. He carried out possess pair of declines, nevertheless, featuring one that could possibly possess proved costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after certainly not capturing a successfully pass versus New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his greatest statistical game in nearly a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more becoming part of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also gardens are his very most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal event, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the crew to defeat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa gaining the division the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, from it right now being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a ton of gamers it requires to acquire healthy and balanced, as well as it has 9 days to do it. The Bucs must discover how to complete, however, with the affront completely stymied in the 2nd half and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, with all three touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the initial 5 activities are a profession best.But after the major initial half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers rarely carried out just about anything in the 2nd fifty percent via the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategy: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 backyards of total offense. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in regards to missed out on attacks however struggled against the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in a game given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).