.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the staff given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday evening's game would be an outrageous slugfest with both staffs scoring goals on their first things, so it appeared suitable the NFC South face-off would be actually decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually entered into the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ran out in policy forced overtime, and Cousins looked after the rest as he established a franchise document with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th permission passing goal in the ultimate minute of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between gaining a branch and certainly not, lies in games like this one, and Atlanta georgia has already had its own portion of them.The Falcons have routed within the final moment of the fourth one-fourth with all 3 of their success this time. They are the first string in NFL history to possess 3 wins within their first 5 games of a season through which they trailed in the final minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back get New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta ga possesses an early top in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can verify essential in December and also January in what appears to be a tight division.QB failure: Relatives looked well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually tossed for 350 backyards as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be dominant when he faces Tampa fl Gulf-- 3 of his 4 job 100-yard activities have come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise got his first touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of times with the Bears. He possessed his 1st activity along with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and acquiring touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 lawns are each near to career highs for him. He did possess 2 declines, nevertheless, including one that could possess proved costly.Most unusual performance: A full week after not recording an elapsed against New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his greatest statistical game in just about a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again becoming part of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches as well as lawns are his very most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown function, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the team to defeat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa bay gaining the department recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, using it right now being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a ton of gamers it needs to have to receive well-balanced, and it has 9 times to accomplish it. The Bucs need to know just how to finish, though, along with the offense completely put on hold in the 2nd half as well as poor handling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, 3 touchdowns-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the 1st half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the initial 5 activities are actually an occupation best.But after the large initial half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely carried out just about anything in the 2nd half with the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest opening in the game plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons often made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He surrendered an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 backyards of complete offense. It took a step forward last week against the Eagles in regards to missed tackles yet resisted the Falcons within this division. The Falcons do with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in a game considering that Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).