.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has dealt with the staff considering that 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and Tampa Gulf Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's video game would be a repulsive slugfest along with both staffs scoring touchdowns on their 1st belongings, so it seemed suitable the NFC South face-off will be determined by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered into the contest after an accident to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in requirement pushed overtime, as well as Relatives handled the remainder as he established a franchise business record along with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth green light passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between succeeding a department and also not, hinges on games enjoy this one, and also Atlanta has actually had its own share of them.The Falcons have tracked within the last minute of the fourth quarter in every three of their triumphes this period. They are the first string in NFL record to possess three wins within their initial 5 video games of a period in which they trailed in the last min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next draw New Orleans as well as Tampa Gulf, Atlanta ga possesses an early top in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might prove critical in December as well as January in what appears to be a strict division.QB malfunction: Cousins looked well-balanced and back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually thrown for 350 yards and also three goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he encounters Tampa Gulf-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally grabbed his initial touchdown versus Tampa fl Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his very first game with a number of goal finds-- in 2021 he had a game along with a hurrying and also acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually both near to job highs for him. He performed possess pair of reduces, nonetheless, featuring one that can have shown costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A week after not catching an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts invested his greatest statistical video game in almost a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as portion of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and also yards are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown function, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa bay winning the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, from it today being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a ton of gamers it needs to have to get healthy and balanced, as well as it possesses 9 times to carry out it. The Bucs have to find out how to finish, however, along with the offense entirely obstructed in the 2nd one-half as well as unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 goals-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the initial 5 games are a job best.But after the huge first half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely performed just about anything in the 2nd half through the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve with a shoulder injury, the Falcons regularly manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense giving up 550 backyards of total injustice. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in regards to missed out on confronts yet struggled against the Falcons in this division. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a game given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).