.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can follow him through Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, but she has covered the team considering that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday night's video game would be an objectionable slugfest with both staffs scoring touchdowns on their 1st belongings, so it appeared right the NFC South showdown would be decided through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the game, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually gotten into the contest after an accident to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in guideline pushed overtime, and also Cousins dealt with the remainder as he prepared a franchise file along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his 5th go-ahead passing goal in the ultimate minute of regulation/OT in the final five times, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs as well as not, between succeeding a department and also certainly not, lies in games such as this one, and also Atlanta possesses currently possessed its share of them.The Falcons have routed within the final min of the fourth one-fourth in each 3 of their wins this season. They are the first team in NFL past history to possess 3 triumphes within their very first 5 games of a period through which they trailed in the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable next gain New Orleans and also Tampa Florida Bay, Atlanta has a very early lead in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints and Buccaneers. That might verify pivotal in December and January in what seems a tight division.QB malfunction: Cousins looked healthy and balanced and back to being the quarterback the Falcons provided a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 backyards, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 gardens and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London continues to be leading when he encounters Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his 4 job 100-yard activities have come against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also grabbed his initial touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the very first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look even more like the receiver he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two times along with the Bears. He possessed his initial video game with multiple goal sees-- in 2021 he had a game along with a hurrying and getting touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are actually both near job highs for him. He did have two reduces, however, consisting of one that might have confirmed costly.Most unusual performance: A week after not recording a successfully pass against New Orleans, limited side Kyle Pitts placed in his ideal analytical game in nearly a year, getting 7 catches for 88 lawns, once more emerging as aspect of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and gardens are his most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 lawns on a career-high 11 targets.-- Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal event, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the staff to trump in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa succeeding the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, from it right now being a three-team nationality with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a lot of players it needs to have to acquire healthy, and also it possesses nine times to do it. The Bucs must know how to end up, however, along with the affront fully stymied in the 2nd fifty percent as well as bad handling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield completed 13 of 16 passes for 131 yards, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first one-half, along with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the blitz. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns by means of the first five video games are an occupation best.But after the large first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely performed just about anything in the second half with the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategy: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reservoir along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons consistently exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense submitting 550 lawns of complete injustice. It took a step forward last week versus the Eagles in regards to overlooked attacks yet resisted the Falcons within this department. The Falcons completed with 235 lawns after the catch, their very most in a game since Week 8 of 2019 versus Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).