Kyle Pitts Hat-Trick Powers Atlanta Remarkable Fightback Win Over Tampa Bay.
Kyle Pitts has now scored 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
National Football League 2025 Season: Week 15
Kyle Pitts scored three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a late comeback to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning field goal as time ran out, while Pitts became only the eighth tight end in league history to record three receiving catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a same game.
After beginning the year 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 contests left in the regular season.
They now hold a 7-7 record after losing 5 of their last six outings. This features back-to-back home losses in the space of five days to two divisional opponents who are eliminated from play-off the race.
Contest Summary
The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons held a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one score all season, claimed his initial pair of touchdowns.
The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth period after QB Baker Mayfield connected on scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced signal-caller Kirk Cousins was making 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 final period rally of his illustrious career.
Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained the ball with under two minutes remaining.
And even after being pinned to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard infraction, Cousins made key throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to position the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.
Cousins finished with 373 yards through the air and three touchdown throws to Pitts, who collected 166 yards from eleven receptions.
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 final four games. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason spot.
