.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually covered the staff given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers established very early that Thursday evening's video game will be actually an offensive slugfest along with both teams scoring goals on their very first belongings, so it seemed right the NFC South showdown will be actually made a decision through a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten into the competition after an 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 policy compelled overtime, as well as Relatives looked after the rest as he prepared a franchise file along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the final min of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, between gaining a division and also certainly not, depends on video games such as this one, as well as Atlanta georgia possesses actually possessed its own portion of them.The Falcons have routed within the final minute of the 4th one-fourth with all 3 of their success this season. They are the first team in NFL past to possess three victories within their very first five games of a season through which they routed in the ultimate min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable back-to-back sway New Orleans and Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta possesses a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That might prove pivotal in December as well as January in what appears to be a limited division.QB failure: Cousins looked healthy and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 backyards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has thrown for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be leading when he faces Tampa Bay-- 3 of his four job 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He also got his very first touchdown against Tampa fl Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to look additional like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two periods along with the Bears. He possessed his initial activity along with numerous goal catches-- in 2021 he possessed a video game along with a rushing and acquiring goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually both close to career highs for him. He did have pair of drops, nonetheless, including one that could possibly have proved costly.Most unusual efficiency: A full week after not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts invested his finest analytical video game in virtually a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as portion of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and also gardens are his most since Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal reception, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the team to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa bay succeeding the division the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday evening, along with it right now being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a considerable amount of gamers it needs to acquire healthy, and it has 9 times to do it. The Bucs need to find out how to complete, however, along with the offense entirely obstructed in the second fifty percent and also inadequate addressing on defense.QB failure: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, three goals-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals via the 1st 5 activities are a job best.But after the major initial one-half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely did everything in the 2nd half through the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons repeatedly made use of K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He gave up an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection submitting 550 backyards of overall affront. It took a progression recently versus the Eagles in regards to skipped tackles but resisted the Falcons in this team. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their very most in an activity because Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).