.Michael RothsteinCloseMichael RothsteinESPN Workers WriterMichael Rothstein is a media reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein deals with the Atlanta ga Falcons. You can observe him by means of 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, however she has actually dealt with the group since 2009. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaLaineESPN.
Oct 3, 2024, 11:46 PM ETATLANTA– The Atlanta Georgia Falcons and Tampa bay Bay Buccaneers set up very early that Thursday evening’s activity would certainly be an objectionable slugfest with both teams scoring touchdowns on their initial things, so it seemed suitable the NFC South showdown will be decided by a lengthy TD pass.Kirk Cousins tossed his 4th touchdown of the game, a 45-yard credit rating to KhaDarel Hodge, who had entered into the contest after a personal injury to Drake Greater london, to offer the Falcons a 36-30 overtime victory.Younghoe Koo’s 52-yard field goal as time expired in requirement obliged overtime, and also Cousins handled the rest as he prepared a franchise business report with 509 passing yards to remove Atlanta ga (3-2) in to a tie atop the division.Kirk Relatives notched his fifth okay passing goal in the last minute of regulation/OT in the last five seasons, which is actually the most in the NFL. AP Photo/John BazemoreAtlanta FalconsThe variation between making the playoffs and also certainly not, in between gaining a branch and certainly not, hinges on video games enjoy this one, and also Atlanta georgia possesses currently had its allotment of them.The Falcons have actually routed within the ultimate minute of the fourth quarter in all 3 of their victories this season. They are the first string in NFL history to possess 3 victories within their 1st five games of a period in which they routed in the ultimate min of the fourth quarter.At 3-2, along with significant next gain New Orleans and Tampa Bay Gulf, Atlanta georgia has an early top in the NFC South thanks to sudden deaths over the Saints as well as Buccaneers.
That might verify essential in December and January in what seems a limited division.QB failure: Cousins appeared well-balanced and also back to being the quarterback the Falcons offered a $180 thousand agreement to in the offseason. He accomplished 42 of 58 masquerade 509 gardens, 4 goals and also 1 interception.It’s the sixth time he has tossed for 350 gardens as well as three goals in a prime-time video game, tying Patrick Mahomes as well as Peyton Manning, depending on to ESPN Research.Eye-popping stat: Drake Greater london continues to be actually prevalent when he faces Tampa fl Gulf– 3 of his four career 100-yard activities have actually come versus the Buccaneers, consisting of Thursday’s 12-catch, 154-yard functionality. He additionally grabbed his very first goal against Tampa florida Bay in the first quarter.Promising trend: Darnell Mooney remains to appear additional like the recipient he resided in Chicago in 2021 than in his last pair of seasons along with the Bears.
He had his first activity with several goal gets– in 2021 he possessed a video game along with a rushing and acquiring touchdown– and also his 9 catches for 105 yards are actually both near occupation highs for him. He performed possess two decreases, nevertheless, including one that could possess confirmed costly.Most astonishing efficiency: A full week after not capturing an elapsed versus New Orleans, limited conclusion Kyle Pitts put in his finest analytical game in almost a year, nabbing 7 catches for 88 gardens, once more becoming aspect of Atlanta ga’s offense. His catches and backyards are his very most since Oct.
8, 2023, versus Houston, when Pitts had 7 catches for 87 backyards on a career-high 11 targets.– Michael RothsteinNext activity: at Carolina Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. thirteen) Mike Evans notched his 99th goal function, tying him with Don Hutson for 11th-most all-time.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTampa Bay BuccaneersAll summer long, the Bucs listened to the Falcons were actually the group to trump in the NFC South, even with Tampa gaining the branch the past three years. That rang true Thursday night, using it today being actually a three-team race along with the Bucs at New Orleans next.Tampa Gulf has a considerable amount of players it needs to receive healthy, as well as it has 9 days to accomplish it.
The Bucs need to discover how to finish, though, with the affront fully put on hold in the second fifty percent and inadequate handling on defense.QB break down: Cook Mayfield completed 13 of 16 masquerade 131 lawns, three touchdowns– 2 to pass receiver Mike Evans– and no interceptions in the initial half. He was blitzed on 7 of 15 dropbacks (47%) in the 1st half, along with all three touchdowns coming against the strike. Mayfield’s 11 touchdowns via the 1st five video games are actually a job best.But after the significant 1st fifty percent, Mayfield as well as the Buccaneers barely did anything in the second one-half with the sky, amounting to 49 yards.Biggest hole in the game plan: Along with Tampa fl linebacker SirVocea Dennis on damaged reserve along with a shoulder injury, the Falcons repeatedly made use of K.J.
Britt in protection. He submitted an 18-yard goal to wide receiver Drake London on the position drive.Surprising functionality: The Bucs’ self defense surrendering 550 backyards of overall affront. It took an advance last week versus the Eagles in regards to overlooked confronts yet resisted the Falcons in this team.
The Falcons finished with 235 backyards after the catch, their very most in an activity because Full week 8 of 2019 against Seat (236 ).– Jenna LaineNext video game: at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 13).