The star tight end has now recorded 14 touchdowns since being selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft.
NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts registered three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic comeback to snatch a last-gasp 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning kick as time ran out, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in league history to record three touchdown catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a same game.
After beginning the year as one of the NFL's early-season pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped 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 record after losing five of their last six games. This features back-to-back home losses in the span of five days to two division opponents who are eliminated from play-off the race.
Game Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just a single touchdown all year, claimed his first two scores.
The home team then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was making his fourth straight start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old proceeded to guide the Falcons to the thirty-second final period comeback of his distinguished career.
Running back Bijan Robinson found 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 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 get 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 scoring throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from 11 receptions.
Postseason Ramifications
Atlanta is now 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay greatly helped the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now lead the NFC South and are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their final four matchups. Only the team that wins the division is assured a postseason berth.
