.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta Falcons. You can observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has actually dealt with the staff due to the fact that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers established early that Thursday evening's video game will be actually an outrageous slugfest along with both groups racking up goals on their first possessions, so it appeared proper the NFC South face-off would be chosen through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gotten in the contest after a trauma to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in regulation obliged overtime, and Cousins took care of the rest as he set a franchise business record with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins scratched his fifth green light passing touchdown in the last minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between gaining a department and certainly not, lies in video games similar to this one, and Atlanta possesses already had its share of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate min of the 4th quarter in all three of their triumphes this period. They are the first string in NFL background to have 3 victories within their very first 5 activities of a time through which they tracked in the last moment of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with impressive next draw New Orleans and Tampa Bay Bay, Atlanta ga has an early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could show pivotal in December as well as January in what seems a limited division.QB break down: Cousins appeared healthy and balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has thrown for 350 backyards and also three goals in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be dominant when he deals with Tampa bay Gulf-- 3 of his four job 100-yard video games have arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He likewise picked up his 1st touchdown against Tampa fl Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st video game along with multiple touchdown finds-- in 2021 he had an activity with a rushing as well as receiving goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually both near to occupation highs for him. He performed possess pair of decreases, having said that, consisting of one that can have verified costly.Most unusual efficiency: A week after certainly not recording a successfully pass versus New Orleans, tight side Kyle Pitts invested his finest statistical game in practically a year, getting 7 catches for 88 gardens, once again emerging as aspect of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and also lawns are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 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 scratched his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa winning the branch the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, from it right now being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a great deal of gamers it needs to receive healthy, and also it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs have to find out just how to complete, though, with the injustice fully put on hold in the 2nd fifty percent as well as bad addressing on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 131 yards, 3 touchdowns-- two to wide 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, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns through the initial five activities are an occupation best.But after the huge 1st fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers hardly did everything in the 2nd one-half via the air, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the tactical plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons consistently exploited K.J. Britt in protection. He gave up an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 lawns of overall affront. It took a progression last week versus the Eagles in terms of missed tackles but struggled against the Falcons in this department. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their most in a game since Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).