.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily observe him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has dealt with the staff given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday night's activity would certainly be an offensive slugfest along with both groups racking up goals on their first possessions, so it appeared proper the NFC South face-off will be made a decision by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gotten into the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time expired in law compelled overtime, and Relatives took care of the rest as he prepared a franchise record with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his 5th green light passing goal in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 periods, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between making the playoffs and certainly not, between winning a branch as well as not, lies in video games enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta georgia has actually possessed its share of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the last moment of the 4th one-fourth in every 3 of their victories this time. They are actually the first string in NFL past history to possess 3 wins within their 1st 5 games of a season through which they tracked in the final min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant back-to-back sway New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta ga possesses an early top in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly prove crucial in December as well as January in what seems a tight division.QB failure: Relatives appeared healthy and balanced and back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 backyards and also 3 goals in a prime-time video game, 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 Bay-- three of his 4 occupation 100-yard video games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally picked up his first touchdown versus Tampa Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two periods with the Bears. He had his first game with a number of goal sees-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a hurrying as well as getting touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are both close to career highs for him. He performed possess 2 declines, nevertheless, featuring one that could possess verified costly.Most unusual efficiency: A week after not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical game in almost a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming part of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and also backyards are his very most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown reception, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the group to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa fl winning the division recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, with it presently being a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a considerable amount of players it needs to have to acquire healthy, and it has 9 times to accomplish it. The Bucs must discover exactly how to complete, though, with the injustice totally put on hold in the second half as well as unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield completed 13 of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, three touchdowns-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, with all three touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns by means of the very first 5 games are actually a job best.But after the huge first one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly performed just about anything in the second one-half via the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the game plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 lawns of complete offense. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in terms of overlooked confronts however struggled against the Falcons within this division. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a game considering that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).