.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the team due to the fact that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons as well as Tampa Gulf Buccaneers established early that Thursday evening's activity would certainly be a repulsive slugfest with both groups scoring goals on their first ownerships, so it seemed fitting the NFC South showdown would certainly be actually made a decision through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his 4th goal of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who 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 ran out in law forced overtime, and Relatives dealt with the remainder as he specified a franchise business report along with 509 passing gardens to remove Atlanta georgia (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his 5th okay passing goal in the final moment of regulation/OT in the final 5 seasons, which is one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe difference in between making the playoffs and also not, in between succeeding a department and not, depends on games enjoy this one, and Atlanta georgia possesses currently possessed its share of them.The Falcons have tracked within the final minute of the fourth one-fourth in every 3 of their success this season. They are actually the first team in NFL history to have 3 triumphes within their first five video games of a period in which they trailed in the ultimate moment of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, with significant back-to-back sway New Orleans as well as Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could verify pivotal in December as well as January in what looks a tight division.QB breakdown: Relatives looked healthy as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million deal to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has actually thrown for 350 backyards and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually leading when he encounters Tampa fl Gulf-- 3 of his 4 profession 100-yard games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise got his very first goal against Tampa bay Gulf in the very first quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his final pair of times along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st activity along with a number of touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had a video game with a rushing and also receiving touchdown-- and also his 9 catches for 105 lawns are each near career highs for him. He carried out have pair of decreases, nevertheless, featuring one that can have shown costly.Most astonishing functionality: A week after not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict end Kyle Pitts placed in his absolute best statistical activity in virtually a year, getting 7 catches for 88 backyards, once more emerging as portion of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and also lawns are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, versus 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 notched his 99th goal celebration, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer season long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the team to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa fl gaining the branch the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, with it today being a three-team nationality along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a bunch of players it requires to acquire healthy and balanced, as well as it has nine days to carry out it. The Bucs have to know exactly how to complete, though, with the affront fully prevented in the second one-half and also unsatisfactory dealing with on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield completed 13 of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, 3 touchdowns-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the very first half, with all 3 touchdowns arriving versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals via the very first five activities are a profession best.But after the significant initial one-half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers hardly carried out just about anything in the second half by means of the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest hole in the tactical plan: With Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reserve along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to pass receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' protection relinquishing 550 lawns of complete affront. It took an advance recently against the Eagles in relations to skipped tackles yet resisted the Falcons within this department. The Falcons completed with 235 gardens after the catch, their most in a video game considering that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).