.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the team considering that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers created early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be an objectionable slugfest with both teams racking up touchdowns on their 1st properties, so it seemed to be proper the NFC South showdown will be chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered the competition after an accident to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in requirement compelled overtime, and also Cousins dealt with the remainder as he specified a franchise business document along with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth consent passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between making the playoffs and certainly not, in between winning a department as well as certainly not, hinges on games such as this one, and Atlanta possesses already possessed its reveal of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter in every three of their success this season. They are the first string in NFL past to possess three triumphes within their 1st 5 activities of a period through which they trailed in the final min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next draw New Orleans and also Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta has a very early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could show crucial in December as well as January in what looks a strict division.QB failure: Relatives looked healthy and balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 backyards, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually thrown for 350 backyards as well as 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be leading when he deals with Tampa fl Gulf-- three of his 4 occupation 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also got his very first touchdown against Tampa fl Bay in the very first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his initial game along with multiple touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had a game along with a rushing and also obtaining touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near occupation highs for him. He carried out have pair of declines, however, featuring one that might have shown costly.Most astonishing functionality: A week after not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts put in his greatest statistical video game in just about a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 yards, once again becoming portion of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 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 scratched his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the group to beat in the NFC South, even with Tampa florida succeeding the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, from it today being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a ton of players it needs to get healthy and balanced, as well as it possesses 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs need to know just how to end up, though, with the offense totally stymied in the second half and inadequate tackling on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 gardens, three goals-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the initial one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals through the very first five activities are actually a profession best.But after the large first half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely carried out everything in the 2nd one-half via the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the tactical plan: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve with a shoulder accident, the Falcons consistently manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense giving up 550 yards of complete affront. It took a step forward recently versus the Eagles in regards to overlooked confronts however struggled against the Falcons in this team. The Falcons finished with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in an activity since Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).