.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team since 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's game would certainly be an outrageous slugfest with both groups scoring goals on their very first ownerships, so it appeared right the NFC South face-off would be decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gotten into the contest after an accident to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ran out in requirement obliged overtime, and also Relatives took care of the remainder as he specified a franchise business report along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his fifth green light passing goal in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the final five times, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between creating the playoffs and also certainly not, in between winning a division as well as certainly not, hinges on video games such as this one, and also Atlanta georgia has presently had its reveal of them.The Falcons have tracked within the ultimate minute of the fourth one-fourth in every 3 of their triumphes this time. They are actually the first string in NFL past to have 3 success within their very first 5 activities of a time through which they trailed in the last minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic next sway New Orleans and Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta has a very early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That can verify critical in December and also January in what seems a strict division.QB malfunction: Cousins appeared healthy as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand contract to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 backyards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has actually thrown for 350 lawns and also three touchdowns in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually prevalent when he faces Tampa Gulf-- three of his 4 job 100-yard games have arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He also picked up his first touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney remains to look more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 periods along with the Bears. He possessed his initial video game along with several touchdown sees-- in 2021 he possessed a video game along with a hurrying and getting goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 backyards are actually both near job highs for him. He did possess 2 declines, nevertheless, featuring one that can have verified costly.Most surprising performance: A week after certainly not recording a successfully pass against New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts placed in his ideal analytical activity in almost a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more emerging as part of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and gardens are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal reception, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the staff to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa florida succeeding the division the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, with it today being actually a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a lot of gamers it requires to get healthy and balanced, as well as it has nine times to perform it. The Bucs must learn exactly how to finish, however, along with the offense entirely prevented in the second half and inadequate dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 touchdowns-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial fifty percent, along with all 3 touchdowns coming against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the initial 5 games are a career best.But after the significant very first fifty percent, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely carried out just about anything in the second fifty percent through the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the game plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on harmed reserve along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons consistently manipulated K.J. Britt in coverage. He surrendered an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' self defense relinquishing 550 yards of total injustice. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in terms of missed out on confronts however struggled against the Falcons in this particular division. The Falcons completed with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in an activity considering that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).