The star tight end has now scored 14 touchdowns since being selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft.
NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15
Kyle Pitts notched three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic comeback to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a clutch field goal as time ran out, while Pitts etched his name as only the eighth tight end in NFL history to achieve three touchdown catches and over 150 receiving yards in a same game.
After beginning the season as one of the NFL's early-season pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three games remaining in the regular season.
They currently possess a 7-7 mark after losing five of their last six games. This includes consecutive home defeats in the space of 5 days to two divisional opponents who are out of postseason the race.
Game Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's game with just one touchdown all season, hauled in his initial pair of scores.
The home team then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth period after QB Baker Mayfield threw scoring passes 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 then led the Falcons to the thirty-second fourth-quarter comeback of his illustrious career.
Running back Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts completed his three-touchdown game. Atlanta subsequently won back possession with under two minutes left on the clock.
And despite being pinned to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins completed crucial passes to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to position the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard winning field goal.
Cousins finished with 373 yards through the air and three scoring throws to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from 11 catches.
Playoff Implications
Atlanta improved to 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 are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their final 4 matchups. Only the division winner is guaranteed a play-off berth.