.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually dealt with the group considering that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers created very early that Thursday evening's video game would certainly be an offensive slugfest along with both teams racking up touchdowns on their first ownerships, so it seemed to be right the NFC South face-off would be chosen through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth 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 offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time expired in requirement required overtime, and also Cousins took care of the remainder as he set a franchise file with 509 passing backyards to lift Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his 5th go-ahead passing goal in the final minute of regulation/OT in the last five periods, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between gaining a division as well as not, depends on video games such as this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses currently possessed its own allotment of them.The Falcons have trailed within the last moment of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their victories this period. They are the first team in NFL background to possess 3 victories within their initial five video games of a period in which they tracked in the ultimate moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable next wins over New Orleans and Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses an early top in the NFC South with the help of tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might show critical in December as well as January in what looks a strict division.QB malfunction: Relatives looked well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided 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 6th opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 gardens 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 experiences Tampa florida Gulf-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard activities have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He additionally grabbed his 1st touchdown against Tampa fl Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look additional like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 times along with the Bears. He had his 1st activity with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a rushing and also getting touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually both close to profession highs for him. He performed possess 2 drops, nonetheless, consisting of one that could possess shown costly.Most surprising efficiency: A week after certainly not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his ideal statistical video game in just about a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again emerging as portion of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and also yards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown event, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl succeeding the department recent 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, with it presently being a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a ton of players it needs to get healthy and balanced, and it has 9 times to perform it. The Bucs need to discover exactly how to finish, though, with the offense totally put on hold in the second fifty percent and also poor dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three goals-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the initial 5 games are actually a job best.But after the major very first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely performed just about anything in the second half via the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategic plan: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense giving up 550 yards of overall injustice. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in relations to missed out on tackles but resisted the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons do with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in a video game given that Week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).