.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually covered the group since 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons as well as Tampa Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's video game will be a repulsive slugfest along with both groups scoring touchdowns on their 1st possessions, so it appeared right the NFC South face-off would certainly be decided by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gone into the competition after an injury to Drake London, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in regulation pushed overtime, and also Relatives dealt with the remainder as he set a franchise document with 509 passing backyards to lift Atlanta (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th consent passing goal in the last moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is actually the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between making the playoffs and also not, in between winning a division and not, hinges on video games enjoy this one, and also Atlanta possesses currently had its reveal of them.The Falcons have trailed within the final minute of the 4th quarter in every three of their triumphes this season. They are actually the first string in NFL past history to possess 3 wins within their initial five activities of a season through which they trailed in the last min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic back-to-back get New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta ga possesses an early lead in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm essential in December and also January in what appears to be a limited division.QB malfunction: Relatives appeared well-balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens and also three goals in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be actually prevalent when he experiences Tampa Bay-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard games have arrived versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise grabbed his 1st goal versus Tampa fl Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of periods with the Bears. He possessed his first activity along with numerous goal gets-- in 2021 he had a video game with a hurrying as well as acquiring goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are both near to job highs for him. He did have 2 drops, however, including one that could possibly have shown costly.Most shocking efficiency: A full week after certainly not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts put in his greatest analytical game in nearly a year, getting 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and yards are his most since Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns 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 touchdown celebration, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, even with Tampa bay succeeding the department the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, from it now being a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a great deal of gamers it needs to have to acquire well-balanced, as well as it has 9 days to perform it. The Bucs need to find out how to complete, though, with the offense fully stymied in the 2nd half and also bad tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 gardens, three goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial one-half, along with all three touchdowns coming versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the initial five video games are actually a career best.But after the major first half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly performed everything in the second fifty percent by means of the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the tactical plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reservoir with a shoulder injury, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense giving up 550 backyards of complete affront. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in relations to missed attacks yet resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their most in an activity considering that Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).