.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers 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 Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually dealt with the crew given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers created very early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be actually an offending slugfest with both staffs scoring goals on their initial ownerships, so it seemed suitable the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually chosen by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his 4th goal of the game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gone into the competition after an injury to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ended in requirement forced overtime, and Cousins handled the remainder as he established a franchise document with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his 5th okay passing touchdown in the ultimate min of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs and not, between gaining a department as well as certainly not, depends on games enjoy this one, and also Atlanta georgia has actually had its own allotment of them.The Falcons have tracked within the last moment of the fourth one-fourth in every 3 of their wins this period. They are the first team in NFL background to have 3 victories within their 1st 5 games of a time in which they trailed in the final minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with significant back-to-back get New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early top in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm essential in December and also January in what seems a tight division.QB breakdown: Relatives looked well-balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens and also three goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually leading when he encounters Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard games have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise got his very first touchdown against Tampa florida Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney continues to appear even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 times along with the Bears. He possessed his first activity along with various goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a hurrying and receiving touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are each near career highs for him. He carried out have two reduces, however, including one that could possibly possess confirmed costly.Most unusual efficiency: A week after not capturing a successfully pass versus New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his best analytical game in nearly a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming component of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches as well as backyards are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the crew to beat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa bay succeeding the division the past three years. That proved out Thursday night, using it now being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of gamers it requires to acquire healthy and balanced, and it possesses 9 days to perform it. The Bucs have to discover exactly how to complete, however, along with the affront totally stymied in the second fifty percent and also poor dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 lawns, three touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first one-half, with all three touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the initial five games are actually a career best.But after the huge very first fifty percent, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly carried out anything in the 2nd fifty percent via the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategy: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection surrendering 550 yards of overall affront. It took a progression recently against the Eagles in regards to missed out on attacks but struggled against the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in a game because Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).