.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can easily observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has covered the group given that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed early that Thursday evening's video game would be actually an offending slugfest with both groups racking up touchdowns on their first belongings, so it seemed right the NFC South showdown would be determined through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins threw his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in the contest after an injury to Drake Greater london, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ended in policy compelled overtime, as well as Cousins dealt with the remainder as he specified a franchise business file along with 509 passing gardens to lift Atlanta (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth okay passing touchdown in the ultimate min of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between gaining a department and not, lies in activities like this one, and Atlanta possesses currently possessed its share of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the ultimate minute of the fourth one-fourth in each three of their success this season. They are the first string in NFL history to possess 3 success within their initial five video games of a period in which they routed in the last min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable next gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early top in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could confirm essential in December and also January in what looks a strict division.QB break down: Cousins looked healthy and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He finished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 gardens and 3 goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be dominant when he deals with Tampa florida Bay-- three of his 4 profession 100-yard activities have arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise grabbed his initial goal against Tampa florida Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his first video game with a number of goal catches-- in 2021 he possessed a game with a hurrying as well as obtaining touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are each near job highs for him. He carried out have two drops, nevertheless, consisting of one that could possibly have shown costly.Most unexpected functionality: A week after not catching a pass against New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts invested his absolute best statistical video game in nearly a year, getting 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming component of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also yards are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards 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 all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the crew to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa bay gaining the division recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, using it now being actually a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of players it needs to have to obtain healthy and balanced, and also it possesses 9 times to do it. The Bucs must know exactly how to complete, though, along with the affront totally put on hold in the second half and poor dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 lawns, three touchdowns-- two to pass 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 fifty percent, along with all three touchdowns arriving versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals through the initial 5 games are actually a career best.But after the major first fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely did everything in the second fifty percent through the air, totting 49 yards.Biggest gap in the tactical plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons often exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 gardens of overall injustice. It took a breakthrough recently versus the Eagles in relations to missed out on confronts yet resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in a video game due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).