.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may follow him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the team due to the fact that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday evening's game would certainly be an offending slugfest with both groups racking up goals on their very first ownerships, so it seemed to be fitting the NFC South face-off will be actually made a decision through a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in rule required overtime, and also Relatives looked after the remainder as he specified a franchise business file along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) right into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his 5th okay passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 times, which is actually the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and also certainly not, between gaining a branch and not, lies in activities such as this one, and also Atlanta possesses actually had its portion of them.The Falcons have routed within the ultimate min of the 4th one-fourth in all three of their success this period. They are actually the first team in NFL history to possess 3 victories within their very first 5 games of a time through which they tracked in the final moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic next gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta georgia possesses an early top in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could prove crucial in December and January in what seems a tight division.QB break down: Cousins appeared well-balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand arrangement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 backyards as well as three goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be actually leading when he experiences Tampa florida Gulf-- three of his 4 career 100-yard games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also grabbed his initial touchdown versus Tampa bay Bay in the initial quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his initial activity with numerous touchdown sees-- in 2021 he had a video game along with a hurrying as well as obtaining touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both near job highs for him. He performed possess pair of reduces, nonetheless, consisting of one that can possess proved costly.Most surprising functionality: A week after not recording a pass versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts put in his best analytical video game in virtually a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches and backyards are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal event, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the team to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl succeeding the department recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, with it presently being actually a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a bunch of players it requires to receive healthy, as well as it has 9 times to perform it. The Bucs need to know exactly how to complete, though, with the affront fully put on hold in the 2nd one-half and also poor addressing on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield finished 13 of 16 passes for 131 backyards, three touchdowns-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the 1st half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals through the very first five games are actually a career best.But after the significant 1st fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely performed anything in the 2nd one-half via the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the game plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J. Britt in coverage. He surrendered an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 gardens of complete injustice. It took a step forward recently against the Eagles in regards to skipped attacks yet resisted the Falcons in this division. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in a video game due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).