The star tight end has now scored 14 scores since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
NFL 2025 Season: Week 15
Kyle Pitts registered three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic comeback to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning kick as time expired, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in league history to achieve 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 pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just three games left in the regular campaign.
They now hold a 7-7 record after losing 5 of their last six outings. This includes back-to-back home losses in the space of 5 days to two division rivals who are eliminated from play-off contention.
Game Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons held a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one score all year, claimed his first two scores.
The Buccaneers then surged into a 28-14 advantage early in the fourth quarter after QB Baker Mayfield threw scoring passes 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 starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old proceeded to guide the Falcons to the thirty-second fourth-quarter rally of his illustrious NFL tenure.
Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts secured his three-touchdown game. Atlanta then regained possession with less than two minutes left on the clock.
And even after being pinned to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard infraction, Cousins completed crucial throws to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to position the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard game winner.
Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three scoring passes to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from eleven catches.
Playoff 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 2 of their final four matchups. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason berth.
