The star tight end has now scored 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts scored three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to snatch 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 8th tight end in league history to record three receiving catches and more than 150 yards through the air in a single contest.
After beginning the season as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the top of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just three contests remaining in the regular campaign.
They now hold a 7-7 mark after suffering five of their previous six games. This includes back-to-back home-field defeats in the span of 5 days to two division rivals who are out of play-off the race.
Contest Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup 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 final period after quarterback Baker Mayfield connected on scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Veteran quarterback 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 thirty-second fourth-quarter rally of his distinguished NFL tenure.
Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts secured his three-touchdown game. Atlanta subsequently won back the ball with under two minutes remaining.
And despite being pinned to a third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard infraction, Cousins completed crucial throws to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to position the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard game winner.
Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three scoring passes to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from eleven receptions.
Postseason Implications
Atlanta is now 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 two of their final 4 games. Only the division winner is assured a play-off spot.
