.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the crew due to the fact that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday evening's activity would be actually an offending slugfest with both groups scoring goals on their initial properties, so it seemed right the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually decided by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had entered into the competition after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ended in requirement forced overtime, and Relatives took care of the rest as he specified a franchise file with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his 5th green light passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the last five seasons, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, between gaining a division as well as certainly not, lies in activities like this one, as well as Atlanta ga has already possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have routed within the ultimate moment of the fourth quarter in every 3 of their wins this period. They are actually the first team in NFL background to possess three victories within their 1st five games of a time through which they tracked in the ultimate minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic back-to-back gain New Orleans and Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta ga possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could show critical in December and also January in what seems a strict division.QB failure: Cousins appeared healthy and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has tossed for 350 backyards as well as 3 touchdowns in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he faces Tampa Gulf-- three of his four career 100-yard activities have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He additionally picked up his initial touchdown versus Tampa florida Gulf in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of seasons with the Bears. He had his initial game with various touchdown finds-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a hurrying as well as obtaining touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both close to career highs for him. He carried out possess pair of decreases, nevertheless, consisting of one that could possess proved costly.Most unexpected performance: A full week after not capturing a pass versus New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his best statistical game in virtually a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 yards, once more emerging as component of Atlanta's outburst. His catches as well as lawns are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa florida succeeding the division recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, from it today being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of gamers it needs to have to receive well-balanced, and also it has 9 times to perform it. The Bucs have to find out exactly how to end up, though, with the injustice completely obstructed in the 2nd half as well as unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the 1st five games are actually a profession best.But after the big very first half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely did everything in the second one-half by means of the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategy: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reserve along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J. Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 gardens of overall affront. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in relations to skipped tackles but struggled against the Falcons within this department. The Falcons do with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in a video game since Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).