.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually dealt with the group since 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and also Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's activity would certainly be an objectionable slugfest with both staffs scoring goals on their very first ownerships, so it seemed to be right the NFC South face-off would be actually decided by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gone into the contest after an accident to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ran out in requirement required overtime, as well as Cousins cared for the remainder as he prepared a franchise business record along with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th go-ahead passing goal in the final min of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, between succeeding a branch as well as not, hinges on activities like this one, and Atlanta ga possesses currently possessed its own allotment of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate minute of the fourth one-fourth in each three of their victories this season. They are actually the first team in NFL history to have 3 success within their 1st five games of a time through which they routed in the last moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next get New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could show pivotal in December as well as January in what looks a limited division.QB breakdown: Cousins looked healthy and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 backyards as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually prevalent when he deals with Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his four job 100-yard games have arrived versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise picked up his 1st goal against Tampa Bay in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of seasons along with the Bears. He had his very first video game with numerous touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and receiving touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually each close to occupation highs for him. He performed possess two decreases, however, including one that might possess shown costly.Most astonishing functionality: A week after certainly not recording a successfully pass versus New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts placed in his greatest analytical game in almost a year, getting 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as portion of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and gardens are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal reception, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the team to trump in the NFC South, despite Tampa winning the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, along with it now being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of gamers it needs to acquire well-balanced, and it has 9 days to carry out it. The Bucs have to know exactly how to end up, though, with the offense totally put on hold in the 2nd one-half and also unsatisfactory dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield finished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, 3 goals-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the very first five activities are actually a profession best.But after the huge 1st half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely performed everything in the 2nd fifty percent by means of the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the game plan: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons regularly exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 gardens of complete offense. It took a step forward last week versus the Eagles in relations to missed attacks yet struggled against the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in a video game due to the fact that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).