.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the group since 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Gulf Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's game would be actually an offensive slugfest with both crews scoring goals on their very first belongings, so it appeared proper the NFC South showdown would be chosen by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth goal of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in the competition after an injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in policy compelled overtime, as well as Cousins looked after the rest as he prepared a franchise document along with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his fifth permission passing touchdown in the final moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs and also not, between gaining a department as well as certainly not, hinges on activities similar to this one, as well as Atlanta georgia has presently possessed its own portion of them.The Falcons have trailed within the last min of the 4th quarter in each three of their wins this period. They are the first string in NFL past history to possess three success within their very first 5 games of a time through which they trailed in the ultimate min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with impressive next sway New Orleans and Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta ga has an early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm crucial in December and January in what seems a tight division.QB malfunction: Relatives looked well-balanced as well as 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 goals and also 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually tossed for 350 backyards as well as 3 goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be prevalent when he encounters Tampa bay Gulf-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard games have come against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise grabbed his first goal against Tampa florida Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney continues to look additional like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two periods with the Bears. He had his very first activity with various touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed an activity along with a hurrying and acquiring goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually both near profession highs for him. He performed have pair of decreases, nonetheless, including one that could possess shown costly.Most shocking functionality: A full week after certainly not recording an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his greatest analytical game in virtually a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as part of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal reception, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the crew to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa bay gaining the division recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, from it right now being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of players it requires to obtain healthy and balanced, and also it has 9 times to carry out it. The Bucs must find out exactly how to finish, though, with the affront fully stymied in the second half and poor addressing on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the first five games are actually a job best.But after the significant 1st half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely carried out anything in the second half via the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder accident, the Falcons repeatedly manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He surrendered an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 backyards of total affront. It took a progression recently versus the Eagles in terms of missed confronts however struggled against the Falcons within this team. The Falcons finished with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in an activity because Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).