.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has dealt with the crew considering that 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's game will be an annoying slugfest with both crews scoring touchdowns on their very first ownerships, so it appeared proper the NFC South showdown would be actually decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gone into 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 time expired in guideline compelled overtime, and Cousins dealt with the rest as he set a franchise document along with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and not, between succeeding a department and also certainly not, lies in activities similar to this one, as well as Atlanta has presently possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have tracked within the final min of the 4th quarter with all three of their wins this period. They are the first string in NFL past to possess 3 victories within their 1st five games of a time through which they trailed in the last moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back wins over New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta georgia has a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can prove critical in December and January in what appears to be a tight division.QB breakdown: Relatives appeared healthy and balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 backyards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 lawns and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be leading when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- three of his four career 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise got his first touchdown versus Tampa fl Bay in the very first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final 2 times along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st video game along with several goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed a game with a hurrying and getting touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both near to job highs for him. He carried out have pair of declines, nonetheless, consisting of one that could possess proved costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A week after certainly not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best analytical video game in almost a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again becoming portion of Atlanta's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against 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 touchdown reception, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the group to defeat in the NFC South, despite Tampa succeeding the branch the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it now being a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a considerable amount of gamers it needs to obtain healthy and balanced, and it has nine times to do it. The Bucs must know how to end up, however, with the offense entirely prevented in the second fifty percent and poor handling on defense.QB failure: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 gardens, three touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals with the first five video games are actually an occupation best.But after the huge first fifty percent, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely did everything in the second half through the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest opening in the game plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve with a shoulder injury, the Falcons repeatedly made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' defense submitting 550 lawns of total injustice. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in regards to overlooked tackles but struggled against the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in an activity because Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).