.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Staff WriterMichael Rothstein is actually a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta georgia Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Team WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began dealing with the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has actually dealt with the crew due to the fact that 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa florida Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's activity would be actually an annoying slugfest along with both teams racking up goals on their initial ownerships, so it seemed fitting the NFC South face-off would be actually decided by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his fourth goal of the video game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, that had actually entered the competition after a personal injury to Drake London, to give the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as time ran out in guideline obliged overtime, as well as Relatives cared for the remainder as he specified a franchise business file along with 509 passing yards to lift Atlanta ga (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his fifth go-ahead passing touchdown in the ultimate minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is actually the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation in between making the playoffs and certainly not, in between gaining a department as well as certainly not, lies in video games enjoy this one, and Atlanta has currently possessed its reveal of them.The Falcons have actually trailed within the ultimate min of the fourth one-fourth in each 3 of their wins this time. They are the first string in NFL past history to possess 3 triumphes within their very first five games of a period in which they tracked in the last minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, along with impressive next gain New Orleans as well as Tampa Florida Gulf, Atlanta possesses a very early top in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers. That can show crucial in December and January in what seems a strict division.QB breakdown: Relatives appeared healthy and back to become the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 million agreement to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 lawns, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the 6th opportunity he has tossed for 350 yards as well as three touchdowns in a prime-time video game, matching Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, according to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london remains to be prevalent when he experiences Tampa florida Gulf-- 3 of his 4 occupation 100-yard video games have come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard performance. He likewise got his initial goal versus Tampa Gulf in the initial quarter.Promising style: Darnell Mooney remains to appear even more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate two seasons along with the Bears. He possessed his 1st activity with multiple goal gets-- in 2021 he had a game along with a hurrying as well as getting touchdown-- as well as his 9 catches for 105 gardens are actually each near occupation highs for him. He did have 2 drops, nonetheless, featuring one that could possess verified costly.Most astonishing performance: A week after not catching an elapsed versus New Orleans, tight end Kyle Pitts put in his ideal statistical game in virtually a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 backyards, once again becoming component of Atlanta ga's offense. His catches as well as gardens are his very most since Oct. 8, 2023, against Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 yards on a career-high 11 aim ats.-- Michael RothsteinNext game: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th goal function, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer months long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were actually the group to defeat in the NFC South, regardless of Tampa gaining the branch the past 3 years. That rang true Thursday night, along with it today being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Bay has a ton of gamers it needs to obtain healthy, as well as it possesses 9 days to perform it. The Bucs have to discover how to finish, however, along with the affront totally put on hold in the second fifty percent as well as unsatisfactory handling on defense.QB break down: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three goals-- 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans-- and also no interceptions in the 1st fifty percent. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st fifty percent, with all 3 touchdowns arriving against the assault. Mayfield's 11 goals via the 1st 5 games are a profession best.But after the big 1st half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers barely carried out just about anything in the 2nd fifty percent by means of the air, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest hole in the strategic plan: Along with Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir with a shoulder accident, the Falcons routinely capitalized on K.J. Britt in protection. He relinquished an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake Greater london on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' self defense submitting 550 yards of complete offense. It took a progression last week against the Eagles in regards to overlooked tackles but resisted the Falcons in this particular department. The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their very most in a video game since Week 8 of 2019 versus Seat (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext activity: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).