.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has actually dealt with the group given that 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday night's activity would be an objectionable slugfest with both groups racking up touchdowns on their first possessions, so it appeared proper the NFC South face-off would be decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th goal of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in the competition after an accident to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in guideline pushed overtime, and also Relatives cared for the remainder as he specified a franchise business file with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta ga (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his 5th green light passing goal in the final minute of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between succeeding a department and also not, lies in activities similar to this one, as well as Atlanta georgia possesses presently possessed its own portion of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate minute of the fourth one-fourth in every three of their triumphes this season. They are actually the first team in NFL background to possess 3 victories within their initial 5 games of a period through which they routed in the last moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive next gain New Orleans and Tampa Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can verify critical in December and January in what seems a tight division.QB break down: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 lawns and also 3 goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be prevalent when he faces Tampa Gulf-- three of his 4 career 100-yard activities have actually come against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also grabbed his 1st goal against Tampa Bay in the initial quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two seasons along with the Bears. He had his very first activity with several touchdown catches-- in 2021 he possessed an activity along with a rushing as well as obtaining goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually each close to job highs for him. He carried out possess pair of drops, however, including one that might have proved costly.Most astonishing performance: A full week after certainly not capturing a pass against New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts put in his ideal analytical activity in almost a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 yards, once more becoming aspect of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches as well as backyards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal celebration, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the crew to trump in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa bay winning the branch the past three years. That proved out Thursday night, from it right 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 obtain healthy, and it possesses 9 days to carry out it. The Bucs have to find out how to end up, however, along with the offense entirely obstructed in the 2nd fifty percent as well as inadequate dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, three touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns coming against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the first 5 video games are actually a career best.But after the large first one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely did just about anything in the 2nd fifty percent by means of the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir with a shoulder injury, the Falcons often manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 gardens of total injustice. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in terms of skipped tackles however struggled against the Falcons within this department. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in a video game because Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).