.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has dealt with the group given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons as well as Tampa Gulf Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday night's video game will be actually an annoying slugfest along with both groups scoring touchdowns on their very first ownerships, so it seemed to be suitable the NFC South face-off would certainly be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gotten into the contest after a personal injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ended in policy pushed overtime, and Cousins handled the remainder as he established a franchise report with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his 5th go-ahead passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between making the playoffs and also not, in between winning a branch and also certainly not, hinges on activities such as this one, as well as Atlanta has currently had its allotment of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate minute of the 4th one-fourth in every 3 of their wins this time. They are actually the first team in NFL background to have 3 wins within their very first five video games of a time in which they tracked in the last min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next get New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay, Atlanta ga has a very early top in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could show pivotal in December as well as January in what looks a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand contract to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually tossed for 350 lawns as well as three touchdowns in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be prevalent when he experiences Tampa bay Gulf-- three of his four career 100-yard games have arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise picked up his very first touchdown against Tampa florida Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of periods along with the Bears. He possessed his very first video game along with multiple touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had an activity with a hurrying and obtaining touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 gardens are both close to profession highs for him. He did have pair of drops, however, consisting of one that can have proved costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after certainly not recording an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best statistical activity in virtually a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again emerging as part of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also backyards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal event, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the crew to trump in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa florida succeeding the branch recent three years. That proved out Thursday evening, with it now being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of players it requires to get healthy and balanced, as well as it has nine days to accomplish it. The Bucs must learn exactly how to end up, though, with the offense completely put on hold in the 2nd half and also unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the 1st one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, with all three touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the very first 5 video games are actually a profession best.But after the major initial one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers hardly did anything in the second half via the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategy: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly made use of K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense surrendering 550 yards of total injustice. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in relations to skipped attacks however resisted the Falcons within this department. The Falcons finished with 235 gardens after the catch, their most in a video game given that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).