.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the group because 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and also Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers established early that Thursday evening's game will be actually a repulsive slugfest with both groups scoring touchdowns on their 1st belongings, so it seemed to be right the NFC South face-off will be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in law forced overtime, and Cousins cared for the remainder as he established a franchise report with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his 5th consent passing touchdown in the last min of regulation/OT in the final 5 times, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between creating the playoffs as well as not, in between succeeding a branch and certainly not, depends on games similar to this one, and Atlanta ga has actually had its share of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the final min of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their triumphes this season. They are the first team in NFL history to possess 3 triumphes within their initial five activities of a season in which they routed in the last moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable back-to-back gain New Orleans and also Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could possibly show crucial in December and also January in what looks a limited division.QB breakdown: Relatives appeared healthy as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 backyards as well as three goals in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be actually leading when he experiences Tampa florida Gulf-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard video games have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise grabbed his 1st goal against Tampa bay Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of times with the Bears. He had his initial game along with numerous touchdown catches-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and also receiving touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually each near to job highs for him. He carried out have two declines, having said that, featuring one that could possibly have confirmed costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts put in his best statistical game in nearly a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again emerging as part of Atlanta's outburst. His catches and lawns are his most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 yards 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, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the crew to defeat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl winning the department the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, with it today being actually a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a bunch of gamers it needs to have to get healthy, and it has nine days to do it. The Bucs must learn exactly how to complete, though, with the injustice totally obstructed in the 2nd fifty percent and bad handling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, three touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the initial half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the 1st five activities are a profession best.But after the big first one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly carried out everything in the second half through the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons repeatedly exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 backyards of total affront. It took a breakthrough last week against the Eagles in terms of missed out on tackles yet struggled against the Falcons within this division. The Falcons completed with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in a video game since Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).