.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the staff given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's activity would be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both staffs scoring goals on their initial ownerships, so it seemed right the NFC South showdown will be made a decision through a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gone into the competition after a trauma to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ended in policy compelled overtime, as well as Relatives looked after the remainder as he set a franchise business document with 509 passing backyards to lift Atlanta (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth consent passing goal in the final min of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs and not, between succeeding a department as well as certainly not, depends on video games like this one, and also Atlanta ga has currently had its own portion of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the last moment of the 4th quarter in each 3 of their victories this season. They are the first string in NFL past history to possess three success within their initial 5 games of a time in which they tracked in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with impressive next sway New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta ga has a very early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly verify essential in December as well as January in what looks a tight division.QB break down: Cousins appeared healthy and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has thrown for 350 lawns as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he faces Tampa bay Gulf-- three of his four occupation 100-yard activities have come against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also got his first touchdown versus Tampa bay Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his very first activity with various touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had an activity with a hurrying and also acquiring goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 yards are both near to profession highs for him. He did have pair of reduces, having said that, featuring one that might have verified costly.Most shocking performance: A full week after certainly not catching a pass against New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his greatest analytical game in nearly a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more becoming part of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and also lawns are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown function, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to defeat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl gaining the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, from it presently being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a ton of gamers it needs to have to obtain well-balanced, as well as it has 9 times to accomplish it. The Bucs need to know how to complete, though, along with the offense entirely stymied in the second fifty percent and poor addressing on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, 3 touchdowns-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the 1st five activities are an occupation best.But after the huge 1st half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely carried out everything in the 2nd half through the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategic plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons consistently capitalized on K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 backyards of complete affront. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in regards to overlooked confronts however resisted the Falcons within this team. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in a video game due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).