Kyle Pitts Three-Touchdown Performance Fuels Atlanta Stunning Fightback Win Over Buccaneers.
The star tight end has now scored 14 touchdowns since being selected as the number four overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week
Kyle Pitts notched three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic rally to secure a last-gasp 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a clutch kick as time expired, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in NFL history to achieve three receiving catches and over 150 yards through the air in a single contest.
After beginning the year as one of the NFL's initial pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three contests remaining in the regular season.
They now hold a 7-7 record after losing 5 of their previous six games. This includes back-to-back home defeats in the space of 5 days to two divisional opponents who are out of postseason contention.
Game Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's game with just one score all year, claimed his initial pair of touchdowns.
The home team then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter after QB Baker Mayfield threw scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth straight start after a season-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran then led the Falcons to the 32nd final period rally of his distinguished NFL tenure.
Running back Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained possession with under two minutes remaining.
And despite being pinned to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard infraction, Cousins completed crucial passes to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to position the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard winning field goal.
Cousins ended the day with 373 passing yards and three scoring passes to Pitts, who amassed 166 receiving yards from 11 receptions.
Playoff Implications
Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay did a favour for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now sit atop the NFC South and are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last four games. Only the team that wins the division is assured a play-off spot.
