.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You may follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the group given that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Ga Falcons as well as Tampa Gulf Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's activity would be actually an objectionable slugfest with both crews racking up goals on their 1st properties, so it appeared proper the NFC South face-off would be actually chosen by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives tossed his fourth goal of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the competition after an accident to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard basket as time ran out in requirement required overtime, and Relatives looked after the remainder as he prepared a franchise business report along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth consent passing goal in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the last 5 seasons, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between creating the playoffs and also not, between gaining a division and also certainly not, lies in activities similar to this one, and also Atlanta ga possesses presently possessed its share of them.The Falcons have routed within the last moment of the fourth quarter in every 3 of their success this time. They are the first team in NFL history to have 3 success within their initial 5 games of a time through which they routed in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with remarkable next draw New Orleans and Tampa Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That can prove essential in December and January in what looks a limited division.QB malfunction: Relatives appeared well-balanced and also back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million contract to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 goals as well as 1 interception.It's the sixth opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 lawns and also 3 touchdowns in a prime-time activity, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be leading when he faces Tampa fl Gulf-- 3 of his four job 100-yard games have actually come against the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard efficiency. He additionally got his very first touchdown against Tampa florida Bay in the initial quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the receiver he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last two periods with the Bears. He possessed his first activity with numerous touchdown gets-- in 2021 he possessed an activity with a rushing and also receiving goal-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both near occupation highs for him. He carried out possess pair of decreases, however, including one that can possess proved costly.Most surprising performance: A full week after certainly not recording a pass against New Orleans, tight conclusion Kyle Pitts invested his greatest statistical game in just about a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more emerging as component of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches as well as yards are his very most considering that Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts possessed 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 scratched his 99th goal function, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the staff to defeat in the NFC South, despite Tampa florida succeeding the department the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, from it presently being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of gamers it needs to receive well-balanced, and it has 9 days to accomplish it. The Bucs have to learn how to end up, however, along with the injustice fully prevented in the 2nd one-half as well as bad handling on defense.QB malfunction: Cook Mayfield finished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, 3 goals-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and no interceptions in the first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial half, with all 3 touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield's 11 touchdowns via the 1st 5 video games are actually a job best.But after the huge 1st fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers hardly did just about anything in the 2nd fifty percent through the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest opening in the game plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reservoir along with a shoulder trauma, the Falcons often made use of K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He submitted an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection surrendering 550 backyards of overall affront. It took an advance last week against the Eagles in regards to overlooked attacks yet resisted the Falcons within this department. The Falcons finished with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in an activity given that Week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).