.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Workers WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually covered the team due to the fact 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 established early that Thursday night's game would be actually an offending slugfest with both staffs scoring goals on their initial properties, so it seemed to be proper the NFC South showdown would certainly be determined through a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually entered into the contest after a trauma to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time expired in rule pushed overtime, and also Cousins took care of the remainder as he specified a franchise business document along with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth permission passing goal in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 periods, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs and also not, in between succeeding a department and certainly not, hinges on activities like this one, as well as Atlanta possesses actually had its own portion of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate min of the fourth one-fourth with all three of their success this period. They are actually the first string in NFL record to possess 3 victories within their initial five activities of a season in which they trailed in the final min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with dramatic next sway New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta ga has an early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That might prove essential in December as well as January in what seems a limited division.QB breakdown: Cousins looked healthy as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 lawns, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 backyards and also three goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be prevalent when he deals with Tampa Bay-- 3 of his 4 occupation 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also got his initial goal versus Tampa florida Bay in the initial quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two periods with the Bears. He possessed his first video game with numerous goal finds-- in 2021 he had an activity with a rushing as well as acquiring touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 yards are both near to occupation highs for him. He carried out possess two decreases, having said that, consisting of one that could possess verified costly.Most surprising efficiency: A week after certainly not capturing a pass versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his greatest statistical video game in just about a year, taking hold of 7 catches for 88 yards, once more emerging as part of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as lawns are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal reception, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the crew to beat in the NFC South, even with Tampa bay succeeding the branch recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, from it presently being actually a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of gamers it needs to obtain healthy, as well as it possesses nine days to do it. The Bucs have to learn how to finish, though, along with the affront completely stymied in the second fifty percent as well as poor handling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 gardens, 3 goals-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial fifty percent, along with all three touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the initial five video games are actually a profession best.But after the significant first fifty percent, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely carried out everything in the second fifty percent via the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest gap in the tactical plan: With Tampa florida linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons consistently manipulated K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He gave up an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' self defense surrendering 550 lawns of complete offense. It took a progression recently against the Eagles in regards to missed out on attacks but struggled against the Falcons within this department. The Falcons completed with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in a video game given that Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).