Pitts Three-Touchdown Performance Fuels Falcons Remarkable Comeback Victory Over Buccaneers.

NFL 2025 Campaign: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts registered three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a late rally to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a clutch 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 same contest.

After beginning the year as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the summit of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just 3 games left in the regular season.

They currently possess a 7-7 mark after losing 5 of their previous six games. This includes consecutive home defeats in the span of five days to two division rivals who are out of postseason contention.

Contest Recap

The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one touchdown all season, claimed his first two touchdowns.

The Buccaneers subsequently raced into a 28-14 advantage early in the final quarter after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw touchdown passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Experienced signal-caller Kirk Cousins was starting 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 32nd fourth-quarter rally of his distinguished NFL tenure.

Running back Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts secured his three-touchdown game. Atlanta then regained the ball with less than two minutes remaining.

And despite being backed up to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a ten-yard infraction, Cousins completed crucial passes 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 amassed 166 yards from 11 catches.

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 are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last 4 games. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason berth.