.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the group since 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers established early that Thursday evening's activity will be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both staffs racking up goals on their very first belongings, so it seemed to be fitting the NFC South showdown would certainly be made a decision through a long TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the competition after an injury to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity ended in law compelled overtime, and Cousins looked after the rest as he established a franchise record with 509 passing backyards to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins marked his fifth consent passing goal in the last 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 and also not, in between succeeding a branch and not, depends on activities similar to this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses currently possessed its own reveal of them.The Falcons have trailed within the ultimate moment of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their triumphes this time. They are the first string in NFL past to possess 3 victories within their initial five activities of a season in which they trailed in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable back-to-back draw New Orleans as well as Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta ga has a very early top in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That could possibly show crucial in December and also January in what appears to be a limited division.QB break down: Relatives appeared well-balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 yards, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 yards and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard games have arrived against the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He also picked up his very first goal versus Tampa fl Bay in the 1st quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to look more like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his final two seasons with the Bears. He had his first video game with a number of goal sees-- in 2021 he had a video game with a rushing and also getting goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are each near occupation highs for him. He carried out possess two decreases, nevertheless, consisting of one that might have confirmed costly.Most unusual efficiency: A full week after certainly not catching an elapsed against New Orleans, strict side Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical video game in virtually a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as aspect of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches as well as yards are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext video game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown event, matching him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to beat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa gaining the division recent three years. That proved out Thursday evening, from it today being a three-team ethnicity along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a considerable amount of gamers it requires to receive well-balanced, and it has 9 times to accomplish it. The Bucs need to know how to finish, though, with the injustice entirely stymied in the second fifty percent and also unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 goals-- pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st one-half, along with all three touchdowns arriving against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns with the first five games are an occupation best.But after the large initial one-half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers rarely did everything in the 2nd half with the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reserve with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons consistently exploited K.J. Britt in coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' defense submitting 550 lawns of total offense. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in relations to overlooked tackles yet resisted the Falcons in this department. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in an activity because Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).