.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has dealt with the group given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's game would be an outrageous slugfest along with both groups scoring touchdowns on their initial properties, so it seemed to be fitting the NFC South showdown will be determined through a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gotten into the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ended in policy compelled overtime, and also Cousins looked after the remainder as he set a franchise document with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth green light passing touchdown in the final min of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between making the playoffs and also certainly not, between gaining a department and certainly not, hinges on activities such as this one, and Atlanta ga possesses already had its portion of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate moment of the 4th quarter with all 3 of their victories this season. They are actually the first team in NFL past history to have three success within their first five games of a season in which they routed in the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with impressive next wins over New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta georgia has an early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might show critical in December as well as January in what looks a tight division.QB break down: Relatives appeared well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 backyards and three goals in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually leading when he deals with Tampa florida Gulf-- 3 of his four profession 100-yard activities have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally got his 1st touchdown versus Tampa florida Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final 2 seasons along with the Bears. He had his first activity along with a number of goal finds-- in 2021 he had a game with a hurrying as well as getting goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 backyards are each near career highs for him. He did possess two drops, having said that, consisting of one that could possibly have confirmed costly.Most unusual performance: A week after not recording a pass against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts placed in his best statistical activity in nearly a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as portion of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and also yards are his very most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown reception, 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 group to beat in the NFC South, even with Tampa fl succeeding the branch the past three years. That rang true Thursday evening, with it right now being a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a great deal of players it needs to have to acquire healthy, as well as it has nine times to accomplish it. The Bucs must find out just how to end up, though, along with the affront fully prevented in the 2nd one-half and also poor addressing on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield finished 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 goals-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the 1st five activities are a job best.But after the large very first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely carried out anything in the 2nd one-half via the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategy: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve with a shoulder injury, the Falcons repeatedly capitalized on K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 yards of complete injustice. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in regards to missed tackles but resisted the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in a game due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).