.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the group given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday night's game would be actually an offending slugfest with both crews racking up goals on their initial possessions, so it appeared suitable the NFC South showdown would be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered the contest after a trauma to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ran out in guideline compelled overtime, as well as Cousins looked after the rest as he specified a franchise business report with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his 5th green light passing touchdown in the final moment of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between winning a department and also certainly not, hinges on games similar to this one, and Atlanta ga has actually had its share of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the last moment of the 4th quarter in every three of their victories this season. They are actually the first team in NFL past history to possess 3 victories within their initial five activities of a time through which they tracked in the last min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive back-to-back get New Orleans and Tampa Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses an early top in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could show critical in December as well as January in what seems a limited division.QB break down: Cousins appeared healthy and back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually thrown for 350 yards and also three touchdowns in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be prevalent when he faces Tampa fl Gulf-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also picked up his 1st touchdown against Tampa florida Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to look more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final 2 periods with the Bears. He possessed his first activity along with a number of touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had a video game along with a hurrying and also obtaining touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually both near career highs for him. He did possess 2 drops, however, including one that could possibly have verified costly.Most unusual functionality: A week after certainly not recording a successfully pass against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts placed in his finest analytical activity in almost a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more becoming portion of Atlanta's offense. His catches and backyards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th touchdown celebration, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa winning the division recent 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, with it right now being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a ton of gamers it requires to acquire healthy and balanced, as well as it possesses 9 days to carry out it. The Bucs have to find out how to end up, though, with the affront completely put on hold in the 2nd one-half as well as bad handling on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, three touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st half, along with all three touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the very first 5 games are actually an occupation best.But after the major 1st fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers hardly did just about anything in the second fifty percent via the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve with a shoulder injury, the Falcons routinely made use of K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense submitting 550 backyards of total offense. It took a step forward recently against the Eagles in terms of missed attacks but struggled against the Falcons within this team. The Falcons do with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in an activity since Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).