Kyle Pitts has now recorded 14 scores since being selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
NFL 2025 Season: Week 15
Kyle Pitts registered three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to secure a nail-biting 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 league history to achieve three touchdown catches and over 150 receiving yards in a same contest.
After beginning the season as one of the NFL's early-season pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just 3 contests left in the regular campaign.
They now hold a 7-7 mark after losing five of their last six outings. This features consecutive home defeats in the span of 5 days to two divisional rivals who are eliminated from play-off the race.
Contest Summary
The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 advantage at half-time. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's matchup with just one touchdown all year, hauled in his first two scores.
The home team then surged into a 28-14 advantage early in the final period after QB Baker Mayfield threw scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth straight start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran then led the Falcons to the 32nd final period comeback of his distinguished career.
Running back Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained possession with under two minutes remaining.
And despite being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins completed key passes to Pitts and receiver 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 throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from 11 receptions.
Postseason Implications
Atlanta is now 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 are set to face the Buccaneers in two of their last four matchups. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason spot.
