.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may observe him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the group given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's video game would be actually an offending slugfest with both staffs scoring touchdowns on their first properties, so it seemed proper the NFC South showdown would be actually determined by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten into the contest after an injury to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in requirement forced overtime, as well as Relatives cared for the remainder as he prepared a franchise document with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the last moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and not, between winning a branch and not, lies in video games similar to this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses already possessed its portion of them.The Falcons have tracked within the ultimate min of the 4th quarter in every three of their success this time. They are actually the first team in NFL background to possess 3 victories within their initial 5 video games of a season in which they trailed in the ultimate moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable next draw New Orleans and Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta ga has a very early top in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly prove essential in December and also January in what appears to be a tight division.QB malfunction: Relatives appeared well-balanced as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 backyards, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 lawns and also three touchdowns in a prime-time activity, 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 deals with Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four occupation 100-yard video games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally got his 1st touchdown versus Tampa florida Gulf in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his very first game along with several goal catches-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a hurrying as well as getting touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both near to career highs for him. He carried out possess 2 reduces, however, including one that can possess verified costly.Most astonishing functionality: A week after not recording an elapsed versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best analytical game in virtually a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 yards, once more emerging as portion of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and also yards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown reception, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the team to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa winning the department recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, using it today being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a lot of gamers it needs to have to receive well-balanced, and it possesses 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs need to discover exactly how to complete, however, along with the offense totally put on hold in the second one-half and unsatisfactory handling on defense.QB failure: Baker Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 131 yards, three goals-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the very first five video games are a career best.But after the significant 1st one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely performed just about anything in the second half through the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' defense surrendering 550 lawns of total affront. It took a breakthrough last week versus the Eagles in relations to missed confronts but resisted the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons finished with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in an activity given that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).