.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You may observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the crew given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers established very early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be an offending slugfest along with both crews racking up touchdowns on their 1st ownerships, so it appeared fitting the NFC South showdown will be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gone into the contest after a personal injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in guideline forced overtime, as well as Cousins handled the rest as he established a franchise document with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his 5th okay passing touchdown in the ultimate min of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between making the playoffs and also certainly not, in between winning a division and also certainly not, hinges on video games such as this one, and also Atlanta ga possesses presently had its own share of them.The Falcons have routed within the last moment of the fourth quarter in each 3 of their success this season. They are the first team in NFL past to possess 3 success within their 1st 5 activities of a period through which they tracked in the final minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable back-to-back draw New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta ga has a very early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly prove critical in December and January in what seems a strict division.QB break down: Cousins looked well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 yards and three touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be dominant when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four profession 100-yard activities have come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally grabbed his 1st goal against Tampa fl Gulf in the first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of periods along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st activity with various touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a rushing as well as acquiring touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are both near profession highs for him. He did have 2 drops, however, including one that could possibly have verified costly.Most surprising performance: A full week after certainly not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, tight end Kyle Pitts invested his finest analytical video game in almost a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again emerging as part of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his very most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal celebration, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. 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, even with Tampa fl winning the department recent three years. That proved out Thursday evening, along with it today being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a great deal of players it needs to have to receive well-balanced, and also it has 9 times to accomplish it. The Bucs have to discover just how to finish, however, with the affront completely obstructed in the second half and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, three goals-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first fifty percent, with all three touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the initial 5 activities are a profession best.But after the major 1st fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely did anything in the 2nd one-half via the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the game plan: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons often made use of K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 backyards of complete injustice. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in terms of overlooked tackles however resisted the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in an activity given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).