.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily follow him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the crew given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons as well as Tampa Bay Buccaneers created very early that Thursday evening's video game will be an outrageous slugfest along with both teams racking up touchdowns on their initial properties, so it seemed fitting the NFC South face-off will be actually chosen through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth touchdown of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gotten in the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in policy obliged overtime, and also Cousins took care of the rest as he set a franchise file along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the last five seasons, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between creating the playoffs as well as not, in between winning a department and also not, depends on video games like this one, and also Atlanta ga has presently had its allotment of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the final minute of the fourth one-fourth in each 3 of their triumphes this time. They are the first string in NFL past to possess 3 victories within their initial 5 activities of a period in which they tracked in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with significant back-to-back wins over New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay, Atlanta georgia has an early top in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might prove critical in December and January in what looks a limited division.QB break down: Cousins looked well-balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 yards as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be prevalent when he encounters Tampa florida Gulf-- 3 of his 4 job 100-yard games have actually come against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise picked up his initial goal against Tampa florida Bay in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 seasons with the Bears. He had his initial video game with multiple goal catches-- in 2021 he possessed a game with a rushing and also obtaining goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 backyards are each near to occupation highs for him. He performed possess 2 declines, having said that, consisting of one that can possess confirmed costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after certainly not recording an elapsed against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his ideal statistical activity in practically a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more becoming part of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and also backyards are his very most because Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown event, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the group to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa florida winning the division the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, along with it today being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of players it requires to get healthy, and it has nine times to carry out it. The Bucs have to know exactly how to complete, however, with the offense completely prevented in the 2nd one-half and also unsatisfactory dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 backyards, 3 touchdowns-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, with all three touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the very first 5 activities are an occupation best.But after the huge first half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly carried out just about anything in the second half by means of the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategy: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons often capitalized on K.J. Britt in coverage. He surrendered an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 yards of total affront. It took a progression recently against the Eagles in regards to overlooked attacks yet resisted the Falcons in this department. The Falcons do with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in an activity considering that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).