Pitts Hat-Trick Fuels Falcons Stunning Fightback Win Against Tampa Bay.
The star tight end has now recorded 14 touchdowns since being selected as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft.
NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week
Kyle Pitts notched three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a late comeback to secure a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a game-winning kick as time ran out, while Pitts etched his name as only the 8th tight end in NFL history to record three receiving catches and over 150 receiving yards in a single contest.
After starting the season as one of the NFL's initial pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just 3 games remaining in the regular season.
They currently possess a 7-7 record after suffering five of their last six games. This includes consecutive home defeats in the span of 5 days to two division rivals who are eliminated from play-off the race.
Game Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just a single touchdown all season, hauled in his initial pair of touchdowns.
The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth period after quarterback Baker Mayfield connected on touchdown passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced signal-caller Kirk Cousins was making 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 32nd fourth-quarter comeback of his distinguished career.
Tailback Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta subsequently won back the ball with less than two minutes left on the clock.
And even after being pinned to a third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins completed crucial throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard game winner.
Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three touchdown passes to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from 11 receptions.
Postseason Implications
Atlanta is now 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay did a favour for 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 4 games. Only the team that wins the division is assured a postseason berth.
