.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the crew given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday evening's video game will be actually an outrageous slugfest along with both crews scoring goals on their first things, so it seemed fitting the NFC South showdown will be determined through a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gone into the competition after an injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in guideline required overtime, and also Cousins cared for the rest as he established a franchise report with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th go-ahead passing touchdown in the last moment of regulation/OT in the last five seasons, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between creating the playoffs and certainly not, between winning a division and also certainly not, hinges on video games like this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses presently had its allotment of them.The Falcons have routed within the ultimate min of the 4th one-fourth in all 3 of their victories this time. They are actually the first string in NFL past history to possess 3 success within their initial 5 activities of a season through which they trailed in the last minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive next gain New Orleans and also Tampa Gulf, Atlanta ga has a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could confirm pivotal in December as well as January in what looks a strict division.QB failure: Cousins looked healthy and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 lawns as well as 3 goals in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be dominant when he deals with Tampa fl Bay-- three of his four career 100-yard video games have arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally grabbed his initial goal against Tampa bay Bay in the very first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two times with the Bears. He had his first activity with numerous touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had an activity with a hurrying as well as receiving goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually both near career highs for him. He performed possess two declines, nevertheless, consisting of one that could have proved costly.Most surprising performance: A week after not catching a pass versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best statistical game in nearly a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as part of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches as well as yards are his very most because Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the team to trump in the NFC South, despite Tampa bay succeeding the division recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it presently being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of players it needs to have to receive healthy, and also it possesses 9 times to perform it. The Bucs have to discover just how to finish, though, along with the injustice totally obstructed in the 2nd one-half and poor handling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, three touchdowns-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals via the 1st five activities are a career best.But after the major initial one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers rarely carried out everything in the second half via the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J. Britt in protection. He surrendered an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 backyards of total affront. It took an advance last week versus the Eagles in terms of missed attacks but struggled against the Falcons in this team. The Falcons finished with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in an activity considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).