.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You may observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the crew given that 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons and also Tampa fl Bay Buccaneers established very early that Thursday evening's activity would be actually a repulsive slugfest along with both groups scoring goals on their very first properties, so it seemed right the NFC South face-off would certainly be chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had entered into the competition after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ran out in law obliged overtime, as well as Cousins handled the remainder as he set a franchise business record with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) right into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth permission passing goal in the last min of regulation/OT in the final five times, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between gaining a department as well as not, depends on video games like this one, and Atlanta ga possesses currently possessed its own portion of them.The Falcons have actually tracked within the final minute of the fourth one-fourth in every 3 of their success this period. They are the first team in NFL background to have 3 triumphes within their very first five games of a time in which they routed in the last moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with dramatic back-to-back sway New Orleans and also Tampa Gulf, Atlanta georgia has an early lead in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly show critical in December as well as January in what looks a strict division.QB failure: Cousins appeared healthy and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has thrown for 350 backyards and three touchdowns in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be dominant when he encounters Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his four job 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He likewise grabbed his initial touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the very first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two periods along with the Bears. He had his very first activity with several touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had a game with a hurrying and obtaining goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near to job highs for him. He did possess 2 declines, nevertheless, consisting of one that could possibly possess confirmed costly.Most astonishing performance: A full week after not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his absolute best analytical activity in practically a year, snatching 7 catches for 88 lawns, once again becoming component of Atlanta georgia's outburst. His catches and backyards are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal reception, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the staff to beat in the NFC South, despite Tampa fl succeeding the branch the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, along with it now being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a bunch of players it requires to acquire healthy, as well as it has nine times to perform it. The Bucs must discover exactly how to finish, though, with the offense fully put on hold in the second fifty percent as well as bad addressing on defense.QB failure: Cook Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, 3 goals-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals through the initial 5 video games are actually a job best.But after the big 1st one-half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely performed everything in the second one-half via the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons consistently made use of K.J. Britt in protection. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection giving up 550 yards of overall affront. It took a step forward recently versus the Eagles in terms of missed out on attacks however struggled against the Falcons in this division. The Falcons finished with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in a game considering that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).