.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can easily follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the staff considering that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's video game will be an objectionable slugfest along with both crews scoring touchdowns on their initial ownerships, so it seemed fitting the NFC South face-off would be determined by a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th goal of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the competition after a trauma to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in law required overtime, as well as Cousins took care of the rest as he set a franchise business report along with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth consent passing touchdown in the ultimate minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and also certainly not, between gaining a department and also not, hinges on activities enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta ga has actually possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the ultimate minute of the 4th one-fourth in each 3 of their wins this season. They are actually the first team in NFL past history to have 3 triumphes within their 1st 5 games of a time through which they routed in the ultimate minute of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic back-to-back get New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta ga has a very early top in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly show critical in December and January in what appears to be a tight division.QB break down: Relatives looked healthy and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has actually tossed for 350 gardens and 3 goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually dominant when he faces Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard video games have actually arrived versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally got his very first touchdown versus Tampa florida Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st video game with multiple touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and also getting goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually both near to career highs for him. He carried out possess pair of drops, nonetheless, consisting of one that could have proved costly.Most unexpected efficiency: A week after not catching a successfully pass against New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts put in his absolute best statistical game in virtually a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again becoming portion of Atlanta's offense. His catches and gardens are his very most given that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans marked his 99th touchdown reception, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the team to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa fl gaining the department the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, using it now being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a lot of players it needs to get well-balanced, as well as it has 9 times to accomplish it. The Bucs have to learn just how to complete, though, along with the affront completely stymied in the 2nd half and also inadequate dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 yards, three touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the initial 5 games are actually a career best.But after the large very first one-half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely performed anything in the 2nd fifty percent with the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons repeatedly manipulated K.J. Britt in protection. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection submitting 550 yards of total offense. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in relations to overlooked confronts but struggled against the Falcons in this division. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in an activity because Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).