.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You may observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the team because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's video game would be an offending slugfest with both teams scoring touchdowns on their very first properties, so it appeared right the NFC South face-off would be made a decision through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the contest after an injury to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in regulation pushed overtime, as well as Relatives cared for the rest as he set a franchise business document along with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his fifth go-ahead passing goal in the ultimate min of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs as well as not, in between succeeding a branch and certainly not, depends on activities such as this one, as well as Atlanta has already had its portion of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the last moment of the 4th one-fourth with all 3 of their wins this time. They are the first string in NFL past history to possess 3 success within their first 5 activities of a season in which they tracked in the final minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable back-to-back sway New Orleans and Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That might confirm essential in December and January in what appears to be a limited division.QB break down: Relatives appeared healthy and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens and also three touchdowns in a prime-time activity, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be dominant when he faces Tampa florida Gulf-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard video games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise got his very first goal versus Tampa bay Bay in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to look additional like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two periods along with the Bears. He had his initial video game with multiple touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had an activity with a rushing and receiving touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near to profession highs for him. He performed have 2 declines, nonetheless, featuring one that can have proved costly.Most shocking efficiency: A week after not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts put in his best statistical game in practically a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming component of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and also yards are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the group to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa succeeding the branch the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, with it presently being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a great deal of gamers it needs to get well-balanced, and also it has 9 times to perform it. The Bucs have to know just how to end up, however, along with the offense fully put on hold in the second one-half as well as unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 yards, 3 touchdowns-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the initial half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first fifty percent, with all three touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the first five activities are a profession best.But after the large initial one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely carried out everything in the 2nd one-half through the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder accident, the Falcons consistently exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection surrendering 550 gardens of overall injustice. It took a progression recently versus the Eagles in regards to skipped tackles however struggled against the Falcons in this team. The Falcons finished with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in a video game given that Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).