.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has dealt with the group due to the fact that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers created very early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be actually an outrageous slugfest with both staffs racking up goals on their initial possessions, so it seemed suitable the NFC South showdown will be determined through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually entered 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 opportunity ran out in guideline obliged overtime, as well as Relatives dealt with the remainder as he prepared a franchise document along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his 5th okay passing touchdown in the last minute of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between winning a division and not, hinges on activities enjoy this one, and Atlanta ga possesses already possessed its portion of them.The Falcons have tracked within the ultimate moment of the 4th one-fourth in every three of their wins this season. They are the first team in NFL past to have 3 success within their initial 5 games of a season through which they trailed in the last min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive back-to-back sway New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta georgia has a very early top in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly show essential in December and also January in what looks a limited division.QB break down: Relatives looked well-balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 gardens and 3 goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be leading when he faces Tampa florida Gulf-- 3 of his four job 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise picked up his very first goal versus Tampa fl Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two times with the Bears. He possessed his first activity with several goal finds-- in 2021 he had a video game along with a rushing and receiving goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near to job highs for him. He performed have pair of drops, nevertheless, including one that could possess confirmed costly.Most unusual functionality: A full week after certainly not recording an elapsed against New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts placed in his finest statistical video game in just about a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 yards, once again emerging as component of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and yards are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal event, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the team to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa winning the branch the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it right now being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a ton of players it needs to receive healthy, and it has 9 days to do it. The Bucs must learn exactly how to complete, though, with the injustice totally stymied in the second one-half and bad handling on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 gardens, three touchdowns-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the initial half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial half, with all three touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns by means of the first five video games are actually a job best.But after the significant 1st half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely did everything in the second half by means of the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the game plan: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons consistently manipulated K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 backyards of complete affront. It took a progression recently against the Eagles in relations to skipped confronts however resisted the Falcons in this particular team. The Falcons do with 235 gardens after the catch, their most in a video game given that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).