.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the crew due to the fact that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers created very early that Thursday evening's game will be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both groups racking up touchdowns on their very first properties, so it appeared proper the NFC South face-off would certainly be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th goal of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gotten in the competition after an injury to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ran out in regulation forced overtime, and Relatives cared for the remainder as he specified a franchise business file with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his fifth okay passing goal in the last minute of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs as well as not, between gaining a division and certainly not, depends on video games similar to this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses already had its reveal of them.The Falcons have routed within the final moment of the fourth one-fourth with all 3 of their success this time. They are actually the first team in NFL past to have 3 success within their 1st five games of a period in which they tracked in the final minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back draw New Orleans and Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early top in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might verify essential in December and January in what appears to be a strict division.QB failure: Cousins looked healthy and balanced as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 lawns as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually leading when he deals with Tampa Gulf-- three of his four career 100-yard video games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise picked up his first touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the initial quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney continues to look even more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of periods with the Bears. He had his 1st activity along with numerous touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had a video game with a rushing as well as acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually each near to profession highs for him. He performed have two declines, however, featuring one that can possess verified costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after certainly not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts placed in his absolute best statistical video game in just about a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again emerging as component of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches and also gardens are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal function, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the group to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa winning the branch recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, using it presently being actually a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a considerable amount of gamers it needs to have to obtain well-balanced, and also it possesses nine days to carry out it. The Bucs need to learn just how to end up, though, with the affront fully obstructed in the second fifty percent as well as poor addressing on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 lawns, three goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first fifty percent. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals with the first 5 games are actually a job best.But after the large first half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly carried out just about anything in the 2nd one-half through the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons consistently exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 lawns of overall offense. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in regards to overlooked tackles but struggled against the Falcons in this particular team. The Falcons finished with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in an activity considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).