.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily observe him using 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, but she has actually covered the team because 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons as well as Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday night's activity would certainly be actually an outrageous slugfest along with both groups scoring touchdowns on their very first belongings, so it seemed to be proper the NFC South showdown will be chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his 4th goal of the video game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered into the contest after an injury to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in rule forced overtime, as well as Cousins handled the rest as he specified a franchise report with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th permission passing touchdown in the last min of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between creating the playoffs and certainly not, between succeeding a department and also certainly not, depends on video games like this one, and Atlanta possesses already possessed its portion of them.The Falcons have trailed within the final minute of the 4th quarter with all three of their triumphes this season. They are the first string in NFL past to possess three wins within their 1st 5 games of a time through which they trailed in the ultimate moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic next sway New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta ga possesses a very early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That can show critical in December as well as January in what appears to be a strict division.QB failure: Cousins looked well-balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 lawns as well as three touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be prevalent when he faces Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard activities have actually come against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise got his very first goal against Tampa florida Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to appear even more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two times with the Bears. He had his initial game with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity along with a hurrying as well as getting goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near occupation highs for him. He performed have 2 decreases, having said that, consisting of one that might possess verified costly.Most unusual efficiency: A week after not recording an elapsed against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts invested his greatest analytical video game in just about a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming portion of Atlanta's offense. His catches as well as lawns are his very most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens 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 goal event, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the staff to beat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa florida gaining the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, with it now being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a great deal of players it needs to receive well-balanced, and also it possesses 9 times to perform it. The Bucs need to learn exactly how to complete, though, along with the affront entirely put on hold in the 2nd one-half and bad handling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 131 yards, 3 goals-- two to pass 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 initial half, with all three touchdowns coming against the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the 1st 5 games are a career best.But after the significant 1st half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely did everything in the 2nd one-half through the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons repeatedly made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He gave up an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 yards of complete offense. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in terms of missed attacks but resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in an activity due to the fact that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).