.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the crew because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and also Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be actually an offensive slugfest with both teams racking up goals on their first possessions, so it seemed proper the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually determined through a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time expired in regulation obliged overtime, as well as Cousins took care of the remainder as he prepared a franchise record along with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th okay passing touchdown in the last min of regulation/OT in the last five periods, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, between winning a division and also certainly not, hinges on activities similar to this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses presently possessed its reveal of them.The Falcons have routed within the ultimate moment of the 4th quarter with all three of their victories this season. They are actually the first string in NFL background to possess 3 wins within their 1st five games of a season in which they routed in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back get New Orleans as well as Tampa Gulf, Atlanta possesses an early lead in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could show essential in December as well as January in what seems a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 lawns and also three touchdowns in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually leading when he deals with Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four job 100-yard games have arrived versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also got his very first goal against Tampa Gulf in the first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 times with the Bears. He had his initial game along with numerous touchdown finds-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a rushing and also acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually both close to profession highs for him. He carried out have 2 decreases, nevertheless, featuring one that could possibly possess confirmed costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after not capturing a pass versus New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best statistical video game in almost a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as portion of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as yards are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 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 notched his 99th goal function, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa succeeding the division recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, using it right now being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of players it needs to receive healthy, as well as it has nine days to carry out it. The Bucs need to know how to end up, however, with the injustice totally stymied in the second fifty percent and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals through the first 5 activities are actually a profession best.But after the big 1st fifty percent, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely did just about anything in the second fifty percent with the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategy: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 yards of complete offense. It took an advance recently against the Eagles in terms of missed tackles yet resisted the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a game given that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).