.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily observe him using Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine deals with the Tampa bay Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually covered the team considering that 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and also Tampa Bay Buccaneers developed very early that Thursday evening's activity would be actually an objectionable slugfest along with both crews racking up goals on their very first properties, so it appeared right the NFC South showdown would certainly be determined through a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gotten in 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 opportunity ended in rule required overtime, and also Relatives looked after the remainder as he prepared a franchise record along with 509 passing lawns to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives marked his fifth go-ahead passing goal in the last moment of regulation/OT in the final five periods, which is the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between making the playoffs as well as certainly not, in between gaining a department and also certainly not, hinges on games enjoy this one, as well as Atlanta has already had its own allotment of them.The Falcons have trailed within the final min of the 4th one-fourth with all 3 of their success this season. They are the first team in NFL past to have 3 victories within their very first 5 games of a time in which they trailed in the ultimate min of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive back-to-back wins over New Orleans and also Tampa Fl Bay, Atlanta has an early lead in the NFC South with the help of sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That could possibly confirm essential in December as well as January in what seems a strict division.QB break down: Relatives looked healthy and balanced as well as back to become the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has thrown for 350 lawns as well as 3 goals in a prime-time game, matching Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be prevalent when he faces Tampa fl Bay-- three of his four profession 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He also picked up his first goal against Tampa florida Gulf in the first quarter.Promising pattern: Darnell Mooney continues to appear additional like the recipient he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last 2 seasons along with the Bears. He had his first video game along with a number of touchdown finds-- in 2021 he possessed a game along with a hurrying and obtaining touchdown-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are each close to job highs for him. He carried out have pair of declines, however, featuring one that might possess proved costly.Most unusual functionality: A full week after not catching a successfully pass versus New Orleans, tight conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his ideal analytical game in nearly a year, ordering 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more emerging as part of Atlanta georgia's offense. His catches and lawns are his most since Oct. 8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 intendeds.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans marked his 99th goal function, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, in spite of Tampa fl succeeding the department recent three years. That proved out Thursday evening, using it presently being a three-team ethnicity with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a considerable amount of players it needs to have to acquire healthy, and also it has nine times to accomplish it. The Bucs must discover exactly how to end up, however, with the offense totally obstructed in the 2nd fifty percent and poor dealing with on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield completed thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 yards, three goals-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the initial fifty percent. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the first half, along with all 3 touchdowns coming against the strike. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the initial 5 games are actually a job best.But after the huge very first fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers rarely did just about anything in the second fifty percent with the sky, completing 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategy: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on injured reservoir along with a shoulder accident, the Falcons often exploited K.J. Britt in insurance coverage. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs' defense submitting 550 yards of total offense. It took an advance recently versus the Eagles in relations to missed out on confronts but resisted the Falcons in this department. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their most in a video game given that Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).