.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually covered the team since 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers set up early that Thursday night's game will be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both staffs scoring touchdowns on their 1st things, so it seemed to be proper the NFC South showdown would be actually determined by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten in 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 opportunity expired in regulation pushed overtime, and also Relatives looked after the rest as he established a franchise record with 509 passing lawns to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth permission passing touchdown in the last minute of regulation/OT in the final five times, which is actually the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and not, in between succeeding a branch and also certainly not, lies in games such as this one, as well as Atlanta ga possesses already possessed its own portion of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate min of the 4th quarter in every three of their success this time. They are the first string in NFL background to have 3 wins within their initial 5 activities of a period in which they trailed in the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive back-to-back gain New Orleans and Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta ga possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of tiebreakers over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That might show critical in December and also January in what looks a tight division.QB breakdown: Relatives appeared well-balanced as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th time he has tossed for 350 yards and three goals in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be leading when he experiences Tampa Gulf-- 3 of his four career 100-yard activities have arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also picked up his 1st touchdown versus Tampa bay Bay in the first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two times along with the Bears. He had his 1st activity with multiple touchdown gets-- in 2021 he had a game with a rushing as well as acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are each close to career highs for him. He did have 2 reduces, nevertheless, including one that can possess proved costly.Most shocking efficiency: A week after not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts invested his ideal analytical activity in practically a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again emerging as component of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and also lawns are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 yards 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 along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the team to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa fl winning the division the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, along with it presently being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a bunch of gamers it requires to obtain well-balanced, and it possesses nine times to accomplish it. The Bucs must find out just how to end up, however, along with the affront entirely prevented in the 2nd half and also poor dealing with on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 yards, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, with all 3 touchdowns coming against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the 1st 5 games are a career best.But after the significant first one-half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers hardly carried out anything in the second half by means of the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on hurt reserve along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons regularly exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 backyards of overall injustice. It took a step forward recently versus the Eagles in regards to skipped confronts yet resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons completed with 235 yards after the catch, their most in an activity given that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).