.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may observe him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She started covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has 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 created very early that Thursday evening's game would be actually a repulsive slugfest with both crews racking up goals on their initial things, so it seemed proper the NFC South face-off will be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth touchdown of the video game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered into the contest after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as opportunity expired in guideline required overtime, and also Cousins cared for the remainder as he specified a franchise document along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Cousins notched his fifth green light passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the last five times, which is the best in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference between creating the playoffs as well as not, in between winning a division as well as not, hinges on activities like this one, as well as Atlanta georgia has currently possessed its share of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the last minute of the fourth quarter with all 3 of their victories this time. They are the first team in NFL background to possess three victories within their very first five activities of a time through which they tracked in the last moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable back-to-back sway New Orleans and Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South due to tiebreakers over the Saints and Buccaneers. That can verify critical in December as well as January in what appears to be a limited division.QB break down: Cousins looked well-balanced and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 gardens and three touchdowns in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be prevalent when he faces Tampa florida Bay-- 3 of his four profession 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He also picked up his 1st goal versus Tampa fl Gulf in the 1st quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney continues to look additional like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate 2 times with the Bears. He possessed his initial game along with a number of goal gets-- in 2021 he had a game with a rushing and also acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are each close to occupation highs for him. He performed possess pair of reduces, nevertheless, featuring one that might possess confirmed costly.Most unusual performance: A week after certainly not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, limited end Kyle Pitts put in his best analytical game in almost a year, getting hold of 7 catches for 88 yards, once more becoming part of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his most due to the fact that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal function, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the team to trump in the NFC South, despite Tampa florida gaining the division the past three years. That proved out Thursday night, along with it presently being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay possesses a ton of gamers it requires to acquire healthy and balanced, as well as it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs need to learn exactly how to end up, however, with the injustice fully obstructed in the second half and poor tackling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, three touchdowns-- 2 to wide receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first one-half, with all 3 touchdowns coming against the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the first 5 video games are a job best.But after the big very first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely performed anything in the second fifty percent with the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons regularly exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection submitting 550 lawns of overall affront. It took a breakthrough recently versus the Eagles in regards to missed tackles but struggled against the Falcons in this division. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a video game given that Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).