The star tight end has now scored 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft.
NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week
Kyle Pitts registered three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to secure a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning field goal as time ran out, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in NFL history to record three touchdown catches and over 150 yards through the air in a same game.
After starting the season as one of the NFL's early-season pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three games left in the regular campaign.
They now hold a 7-7 mark after losing 5 of their last six games. This features back-to-back home-field defeats in the span of five days to two divisional opponents who are out of play-off contention.
Contest Recap
The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 advantage at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one score all season, hauled in his initial pair of touchdowns.
The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 advantage early in the final quarter 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 37-year-old proceeded to guide the Falcons to the 32nd final period comeback of his illustrious NFL tenure.
Tailback Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta subsequently won back possession with less than two minutes remaining.
And despite being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after a fumble recovery and a 10-yard infraction, Cousins made key throws to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard game winner.
Cousins ended the day with 373 yards through the air and three scoring passes to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from eleven receptions.
Postseason Ramifications
Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their upset 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 2 of their final four matchups. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason spot.
