.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press 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 Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the team since 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's game will be an offensive slugfest with both groups scoring goals on their initial ownerships, so it seemed to be fitting the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually determined by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had entered into the competition after a trauma to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in rule compelled overtime, as well as Cousins looked after the rest as he established a franchise business record along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth green light passing touchdown in the ultimate minute of regulation/OT in the last five seasons, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between making the playoffs and also certainly not, between gaining a department and not, lies in video games like this one, and Atlanta has actually possessed its own allotment of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the final moment of the 4th one-fourth in each three of their victories this time. They are actually the first string in NFL background to possess 3 victories within their initial five video games of a season through which they routed in the final moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable back-to-back gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta ga possesses an early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might show crucial in December and January in what looks a strict division.QB breakdown: Relatives looked well-balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually tossed for 350 backyards and three touchdowns in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually leading when he encounters Tampa bay Gulf-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard activities have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise picked up his first touchdown against Tampa fl Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to look even more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his initial game along with a number of goal sees-- in 2021 he had a video game along with a rushing and also obtaining goal-- and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually each near to job highs for him. He carried out possess pair of decreases, having said that, including one that could have proved costly.Most astonishing functionality: A full week after not recording a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his absolute best analytical game in nearly a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again emerging as part of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 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 scratched his 99th goal celebration, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the group to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa succeeding the department recent three years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it right now being actually a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of gamers it needs to get well-balanced, and also it possesses nine times to do it. The Bucs need to find out just how to end up, though, with the injustice totally stymied in the second one-half and also unsatisfactory addressing on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield finished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 gardens, 3 touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the very first five games are actually a career best.But after the major initial one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers rarely did everything in the 2nd half through the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest hole in the tactical plan: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 yards of total offense. It took a breakthrough last week versus the Eagles in regards to missed out on confronts but struggled against the Falcons within this department. The Falcons do with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in a video game considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).