.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has dealt with the staff because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons as well as Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers created early that Thursday night's activity will be actually an offending slugfest along with both staffs racking up goals on their first possessions, so it seemed proper the NFC South showdown would be actually chosen through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gone into the contest after an accident to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time expired in policy compelled overtime, and also Cousins looked after the remainder as he set a franchise report along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth consent passing goal in the last minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 times, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between succeeding a branch and also not, depends on games such as this one, as well as Atlanta ga has presently had its share of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the final minute of the 4th one-fourth in all 3 of their success this time. They are actually the first team in NFL past history to have 3 wins within their initial five activities of a period in which they trailed in the last min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with significant back-to-back sway New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early top in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That might verify crucial in December and also January in what looks a strict division.QB breakdown: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced and back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 backyards and 3 goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be leading when he faces Tampa Bay-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard activities have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise picked up his very first goal versus Tampa Gulf in the first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two periods with the Bears. He possessed his first game along with multiple goal sees-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a hurrying and also acquiring touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually both near occupation highs for him. He performed possess 2 declines, nevertheless, including one that could possess proved costly.Most unexpected functionality: A full week after certainly not recording a pass against New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts placed in his best statistical activity in almost a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 yards, once more becoming component of Atlanta's offense. His catches and backyards are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown reception, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the crew to beat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa fl winning the division the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, using it today being a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a considerable amount of gamers it needs to acquire healthy and balanced, and it possesses nine days to accomplish it. The Bucs must learn just how to end up, however, with the injustice totally prevented in the 2nd fifty percent and also poor handling on defense.QB breakdown: Cook Mayfield finished 13 of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three goals-- pair of to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first fifty percent. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the very first five games are actually a job best.But after the big 1st fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely carried out anything in the 2nd fifty percent through the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reservoir with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons often capitalized on K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 backyards of complete offense. It took an advance last week versus the Eagles in regards to skipped tackles yet resisted the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their most in a game due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).