.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Team WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can easily observe him via Twitter @MikeRothstein. Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Personnel WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa florida Gulf Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, however she has dealt with the group because 2009. Adhere To Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN. Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA-- The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers developed early that Thursday night's activity would be actually an offending slugfest along with both crews racking up goals on their very first things, so it seemed to be right the NFC South face-off would be decided by a long TD pass.Kirk Relatives threw his 4th touchdown of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had actually gotten into the competition after an injury to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo's 52-yard field goal as opportunity ran out in policy compelled overtime, and Relatives handled the rest as he specified a franchise report along with 509 passing backyards to lift Atlanta georgia (3-2) into a dead heat atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his 5th green light passing touchdown in the final minute of regulation/OT in the final 5 periods, which is the absolute most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction in between making the playoffs and also certainly not, in between gaining a branch and also not, lies in games enjoy this one, and Atlanta possesses already possessed its own share of them.The Falcons have routed within the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter in all three of their triumphes this period. They are the first team in NFL background to have three victories within their first 5 activities of a time through which they trailed in the ultimate minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with remarkable next draw New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta georgia possesses a very early lead in the NFC South because of sudden deaths over the Saints and also Buccaneers. That could verify essential in December as well as January in what appears to be a strict division.QB breakdown: Relatives looked well-balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand deal to in the offseason. He completed 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 goals and 1 interception.It's the sixth time he has tossed for 350 yards as well as three touchdowns in a prime-time game, tying Patrick Mahomes and also Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake London remains to be actually dominant when he experiences Tampa fl Bay-- 3 of his 4 career 100-yard games have actually arrived against the Buccaneers, including Thursday's 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally got his 1st touchdown versus Tampa Bay in the very first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to look more like the receiver he remained in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of times along with the Bears. He had his very first activity with multiple touchdown catches-- in 2021 he had a video game along with a rushing and acquiring goal-- and his 9 catches for 105 lawns are both close to profession highs for him. He carried out possess pair of drops, having said that, featuring one that could possibly possess proved costly.Most shocking efficiency: A week after not capturing a successfully pass versus New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical activity in nearly a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming component of Atlanta ga's outburst. His catches and backyards are his most because Oct. 8, 2023, versus 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 notched his 99th goal event, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most everlasting. Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs heard the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, despite Tampa fl winning the branch the past 3 years. That proved out Thursday evening, from it today being actually a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a ton of players it needs to have to get healthy and balanced, and also it has nine times to accomplish it. The Bucs must find out just how to complete, though, along with the offense fully stymied in the second one-half and also inadequate handling on defense.QB breakdown: Baker Mayfield accomplished thirteen of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three goals-- two to wide receiver Mike Evans-- as well as no interceptions in the very first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the initial fifty percent, along with all three touchdowns coming versus the blitz. Mayfield's 11 goals by means of the first five games are actually a career best.But after the major 1st half, Mayfield and also the Buccaneers barely carried out just about anything in the 2nd one-half through the air, completing 49 yards.Biggest gap in the strategic plan: With Tampa linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons routinely manipulated K.J. Britt in coverage. He gave up an 18-yard touchdown to pass receiver Drake London on the opening drive.Surprising performance: The Bucs' protection surrendering 550 yards of complete offense. It took an advance last week versus the Eagles in regards to skipped confronts yet struggled against the Falcons in this division. The Falcons do with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in an activity since Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).-- Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen).