.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the crew given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers created very early that Thursday evening's video game would certainly be an offensive slugfest along with both groups scoring goals on their initial possessions, so it seemed proper the NFC South showdown will be actually made a decision through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth goal of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten into the contest after an injury to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in rule compelled overtime, and also Relatives dealt with the remainder as he established a franchise file along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th consent passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between creating the playoffs and certainly not, in between winning a branch and not, depends on activities like this one, and Atlanta ga possesses already possessed its own allotment of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the final min of the 4th quarter with all 3 of their wins this season. They are the first string in NFL past history to have 3 success within their 1st five video games of a season through which they routed in the final moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive back-to-back sway New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta ga has an early top in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could verify crucial in December as well as January in what seems a strict division.QB malfunction: Relatives looked healthy and balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has thrown for 350 yards as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be dominant when he deals with Tampa Bay-- 3 of his four profession 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He also got his first goal versus Tampa fl Bay in the initial quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear even more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two times along with the Bears. He had his initial game with a number of goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed a game with a hurrying and acquiring touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are both near to profession highs for him. He carried out have two decreases, nevertheless, featuring one that could possibly have verified costly.Most surprising efficiency: A full week after certainly not catching a pass versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts placed in his finest statistical video game in just about a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more emerging as aspect of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus 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 scratched his 99th goal event, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the group to beat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa winning the division recent three years. That rang true Thursday night, using it presently being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of players it needs to have to get healthy, and it possesses 9 days to perform it. The Bucs must know just how to complete, however, along with the injustice totally stymied in the 2nd one-half as well as bad handling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 backyards, three touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, along with all three touchdowns arriving against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the initial five activities are actually an occupation best.But after the big very first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely carried out anything in the second half with the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategy: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reserve with a shoulder accident, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He gave up an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 gardens of overall injustice. It took a progression recently against the Eagles in regards to missed attacks but struggled against the Falcons in this team. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in an activity given that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).