.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the team given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday night's game would be an outrageous slugfest with both staffs racking up touchdowns on their initial belongings, so it seemed to be proper the NFC South face-off would be actually chosen by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth 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 time ended in requirement obliged overtime, and also Cousins handled the remainder as he established a franchise report with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th okay passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between winning a division and also not, hinges on games similar to this one, as well as Atlanta ga has currently had its own allotment of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate min of the fourth quarter in each 3 of their wins this period. They are the first team in NFL past history to possess 3 success within their very first five games of a time in which they trailed in the final minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive next gain New Orleans and also Tampa Gulf, Atlanta has an early top in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might verify critical in December as well as January in what appears to be a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared well-balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 yards and also 3 goals in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually dominant when he deals with Tampa Gulf-- 3 of his four career 100-yard activities have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also picked up his 1st goal versus Tampa bay Bay in the first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 seasons with the Bears. He possessed his first activity with several touchdown finds-- in 2021 he possessed a game with a hurrying as well as acquiring touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are both near career highs for him. He did have pair of decreases, however, featuring one that could possibly have confirmed costly.Most shocking functionality: A week after not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his finest analytical video game in almost a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and also yards are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the group to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl winning the department recent three years. That rang true Thursday evening, along with it presently being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a bunch of players it requires to receive well-balanced, as well as it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs must discover how to finish, though, along with the offense completely stymied in the second fifty percent and poor dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns by means of the first five games are an occupation best.But after the huge initial half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers rarely carried out anything in the 2nd half through the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons consistently manipulated K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 gardens of complete affront. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in regards to missed tackles however struggled against the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in an activity because Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).