Kyle Pitts has now scored 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts registered three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a late rally to secure a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning kick as time expired, while Pitts etched his name as only the eighth tight end in league history to achieve three touchdown catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a same contest.
After beginning the year as one of the NFL's initial pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three games remaining in the regular campaign.
They now hold a 7-7 record after suffering five of their last six games. This features back-to-back home defeats in the space of 5 days to two division opponents who are out of postseason contention.
Contest Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's matchup with just a single touchdown all season, hauled in his initial pair of scores.
The Buccaneers then surged into a 28-14 advantage early in the final quarter after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw touchdown throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced signal-caller Kirk Cousins was making his fourth straight start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran proceeded to guide the Falcons to the thirty-second fourth-quarter comeback of his distinguished career.
Tailback Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained possession with under two minutes left on the clock.
And despite being pinned to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins made key passes to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.
Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three touchdown throws to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from eleven receptions.
Playoff Ramifications
Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay greatly helped the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now sit atop the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in two of their final four games. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason berth.
