Kyle Pitts has now recorded 14 scores since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft.
NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts notched three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez converted a game-winning field goal as time ran out, while Pitts etched his name as only the eighth tight end in league history to record three receiving catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a same contest.
After starting the year as one of the NFL's early-season leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just three games remaining in the regular season.
They currently possess a 7-7 mark after suffering 5 of their previous six outings. This includes consecutive home defeats in the span of 5 days to two divisional opponents who are out of postseason the race.
Contest Recap
The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 advantage at half-time. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just a single score all season, hauled in his first two touchdowns.
The Buccaneers subsequently raced into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth period after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth consecutive start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran then led the Falcons to the thirty-second fourth-quarter rally of his illustrious career.
Running back Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta subsequently won back the ball with under two minutes left on the clock.
And even after being backed up to a third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins made key throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get 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 touchdown throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from eleven receptions.
Postseason Ramifications
Atlanta is now 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay did a favour for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now lead the NFC South and are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their final 4 games. Only the team that wins the division is assured a play-off spot.
