.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta ga Falcons. You may follow him by means of Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has dealt with the staff since 2009. Comply With Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa fl Gulf Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday evening's game would be an offending slugfest along with both groups scoring touchdowns on their 1st things, so it appeared fitting the NFC South face-off would certainly be made a decision through a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth touchdown of the activity, a 45-yard rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered into the contest after an injury to Drake Greater london, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ended in rule forced overtime, and Relatives looked after the remainder as he specified a franchise report with 509 passing backyards to lift Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his fifth permission passing goal in the final min of regulation/OT in the last five seasons, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between creating the playoffs as well as not, in between winning a department and also not, hinges on video games similar to this one, and Atlanta ga has actually possessed its reveal of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the ultimate min of the 4th quarter in every three of their triumphes this time. They are the first team in NFL record to possess three wins within their 1st five games of a season in which they routed in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next get New Orleans and Tampa Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South due to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That might verify crucial in December as well as January in what seems a limited division.QB breakdown: Relatives looked well-balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million arrangement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 passes for 509 gardens, 4 touchdowns and also 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has actually tossed for 350 lawns as well as 3 goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be actually dominant when he deals with Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his 4 occupation 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also picked up his 1st touchdown against Tampa bay Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of times along with the Bears. He had his 1st game with numerous goal gets-- in 2021 he had an activity along with a rushing and also getting goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 yards are each close to career highs for him. He carried out possess pair of declines, nonetheless, including one that might possess verified costly.Most unusual efficiency: A full week after certainly not recording an elapsed versus New Orleans, strict conclusion Kyle Pitts placed in his greatest statistical video game in nearly a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 yards, once again becoming aspect of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches as well as backyards are his very most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts possessed 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 touchdown function, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the team to defeat in the NFC South, despite Tampa succeeding the division recent three years. That rang true Thursday evening, with it today being a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf possesses a considerable amount of gamers it needs to receive healthy, and also it has nine times to carry out it. The Bucs have to learn how to end up, though, along with the offense fully prevented in the second half and inadequate addressing on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 passes for 131 yards, three touchdowns-- two to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the very first half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, along with all three touchdowns arriving versus the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals via the 1st 5 games are a job best.But after the big first half, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely did anything in the second half with the sky, totaling 49 yards.Biggest opening in the strategic plan: With Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir with a shoulder injury, the Falcons often capitalized on K.J. Britt in coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense relinquishing 550 gardens of overall affront. It took a breakthrough recently against the Eagles in terms of missed confronts however struggled against the Falcons in this particular team. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in a video game due to the fact that Full week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).