.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Personnel WriterMichael Rothstein is a press reporter for NFL Country at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can observe him through Twitter @MikeRothstein.
Jenna LaineCloseJenna LaineESPN Staff WriterJenna Laine covers the Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers for ESPN. She began covering the Bucs for ESPN in 2016, yet she has covered the group because 2009. Observe Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN.
Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA– The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Gulf Buccaneers established early that Thursday night’s activity will be actually a repulsive slugfest with both crews racking up goals on their very first ownerships, so it appeared suitable the NFC South showdown would be actually decided by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his fourth goal of the game, a 45-yard score to KhaDarel Hodge, who had gone into the contest after a personal injury to Drake London, to provide the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo’s 52-yard field goal as opportunity expired in rule forced overtime, and Relatives cared for the rest as he prepared a franchise document along with 509 passing backyards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) into a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives scratched his fifth permission passing touchdown in the ultimate moment of regulation/OT in the final five seasons, which is actually one of the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe distinction between creating the playoffs and also not, between gaining a division as well as not, lies in video games enjoy this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses already had its share of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate min of the fourth quarter with all three of their triumphes this season. They are actually the first team in NFL record to possess 3 success within their first 5 games of a season in which they routed in the final minute of the 4th quarter.At 3-2, with significant next wins over New Orleans as well as Tampa Fl Gulf, Atlanta ga possesses an early top in the NFC South thanks to tiebreakers over the Saints as well as Buccaneers.
That can show pivotal in December and January in what appears to be a tight division.QB malfunction: Relatives appeared well-balanced as well as back to being the quarterback the Falcons gave a $180 thousand arrangement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 yards, 4 touchdowns as well as 1 interception.It’s the 6th time he has tossed for 350 gardens 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 leading when he encounters Tampa fl Gulf– 3 of his 4 career 100-yard games have actually come versus the Buccaneers, featuring Thursday’s 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally got his initial touchdown against Tampa bay Bay in the first quarter.Promising fad: Darnell Mooney continues to appear more like the recipient he was in Chicago in 2021 than in his ultimate pair of times with the Bears.
He had his first game along with various goal finds– in 2021 he possessed a game with a hurrying as well as getting goal– and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are each close to profession highs for him. He performed have two drops, nonetheless, featuring one that might possess verified costly.Most shocking performance: A week after certainly not recording a pass against New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts placed in his finest analytical video game in almost a year, grabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming aspect of Atlanta’s offense. His catches as well as gardens are his very most since Oct.
8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 gardens on a career-high 11 intendeds.– Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans scratched his 99th touchdown celebration, tying him along with Don Hutson for 11th-most enduring.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Gulf BuccaneersAll summertime long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were the staff to defeat in the NFC South, even with Tampa fl winning the department recent 3 years. That proved out Thursday night, from it today being a three-team race with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a lot of gamers it requires to get healthy and balanced, as well as it has 9 times to accomplish it.
The Bucs need to know just how to finish, though, along with the affront entirely prevented in the 2nd one-half and also unsatisfactory tackling on defense.QB malfunction: Baker Mayfield completed 13 of 16 masquerade 131 backyards, three goals– pair of to wide receiver Mike Evans– and no interceptions in the first one-half. He was actually blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st one-half, with all three touchdowns coming versus the assault. Mayfield’s 11 goals via the first five video games are a career best.But after the huge 1st half, Mayfield and the Buccaneers rarely did anything in the 2nd one-half via the sky, totting 49 yards.Biggest hole in the tactical plan: Along with Tampa bay linebacker SirVocea Dennis on wounded reservoir along with a shoulder personal injury, the Falcons regularly made use of K.J.
Britt in coverage. He surrendered an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising efficiency: The Bucs’ self defense relinquishing 550 yards of total affront. It took an advance recently versus the Eagles in regards to missed tackles but resisted the Falcons in this particular department.
The Falcons do with 235 yards after the catch, their most in an activity because Full week 8 of 2019 against Seattle (236 ).– Jenna LaineNext game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).