Kyle Pitts has now scored 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft.
National Football League 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts notched three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a late comeback to secure a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a clutch field goal as time ran out, while Pitts etched his name as only the eighth tight end in NFL history to achieve three receiving catches and over 150 receiving yards in a single game.
After beginning the season as one of the NFL's early-season leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen 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 suffering 5 of their previous six outings. This features back-to-back home defeats in the space of five days to two division rivals who are out of postseason contention.
Contest Summary
The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons held a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one score all year, claimed his first two touchdowns.
The Buccaneers then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth straight start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran then led the Falcons to the 32nd fourth-quarter comeback of his distinguished career.
Running back Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained the ball with under two minutes remaining.
And even after being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard infraction, Cousins completed crucial passes to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to get the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard game winner.
Cousins ended the day with 373 passing yards and three scoring passes to Pitts, who collected 166 yards from eleven catches.
Postseason Implications
Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their upset of Tampa Bay did a favour for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now lead the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in 2 of their final 4 matchups. Only the team that wins the division is assured a postseason berth.
