Kyle Pitts has now recorded 14 touchdowns since being selected as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft.
NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts registered three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic rally to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a clutch field goal as time ran out, while Pitts became only the eighth tight end in league history to record three touchdown catches and over 150 yards through the air in a single game.
After starting the season as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just 3 contests remaining in the regular season.
They currently possess a 7-7 mark after suffering 5 of their last six outings. This features back-to-back home losses in the space of five days to two divisional rivals who are out of play-off contention.
Contest Recap
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons held a 14-13 advantage at half-time. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's matchup with just a single score all year, hauled in his first two touchdowns.
The Buccaneers subsequently raced into a 28-14 advantage early in the fourth period after QB Baker Mayfield connected on scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was making his fourth consecutive 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.
Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts completed his three-touchdown game. Atlanta subsequently won back the ball with under two minutes remaining.
And even after being backed up to a third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard infraction, Cousins completed crucial throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to position the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.
Cousins finished with 373 yards through the air and three touchdown passes to Pitts, who amassed 166 receiving yards from eleven catches.
Postseason Ramifications
Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay greatly helped the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now lead the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in two of their last four matchups. Only the division winner is guaranteed a play-off berth.
