.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You may follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the crew considering that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's game would certainly be a repulsive slugfest with both staffs scoring touchdowns on their very first possessions, so it seemed to be right the NFC South showdown will be actually determined through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had gone into the contest after an accident to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in requirement required overtime, as well as Relatives dealt with the rest as he prepared a franchise file along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his fifth permission passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the final five times, which is actually the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between making the playoffs and not, in between gaining a department and also certainly not, depends on games similar to this one, and Atlanta has actually possessed its own portion of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate minute of the fourth quarter with all 3 of their wins this period. They are the first string in NFL past history to have 3 victories within their very first 5 activities of a season in which they trailed in the ultimate min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next get New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta possesses an early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly verify crucial in December and January in what appears to be a limited division.QB malfunction: Cousins looked healthy as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually thrown for 350 gardens as well as 3 touchdowns in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he deals with Tampa bay Bay-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard games have come against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise picked up his first goal against Tampa florida Gulf in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to look even more like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two periods with the Bears. He possessed his very first video game along with a number of touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed a video game with a hurrying and acquiring touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both close to profession highs for him. He did have 2 decreases, however, featuring one that might have proved costly.Most unusual performance: A full week after certainly not capturing an elapsed against New Orleans, tight conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his absolute best analytical game in almost a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 yards, once again becoming component of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and backyards are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown celebration, matching him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa florida winning the branch recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, along with it right now being actually a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a great deal of players it needs to obtain healthy, and also it has nine days to do it. The Bucs have to find out how to end up, however, along with the affront fully stymied in the second fifty percent as well as inadequate dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 yards, three goals-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first one-half, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals with the initial 5 activities are actually a job best.But after the large initial one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely performed everything in the 2nd half via the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the game plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 backyards of complete offense. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in terms of overlooked tackles yet struggled against the Falcons within this department. The Falcons finished with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a game because Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).