Pitts Three-Touchdown Performance Fuels Atlanta Stunning Fightback Victory Against Buccaneers.

NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15

Kyle Pitts scored three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic rally to snatch a last-gasp 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a clutch field goal 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 season as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just 3 games remaining in the regular campaign.

They now hold a 7-7 record after losing five of their last six games. This features consecutive home defeats in the space of five days to two division rivals who are eliminated from postseason contention.

Contest Summary

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 advantage at the intermission. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just a single touchdown all year, hauled in his first two scores.

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

Veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins was making his fourth consecutive start after a season-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old then led the Falcons to the thirty-second final period rally of his illustrious career.

Running back Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained the ball with under two minutes left on the clock.

And even after being backed up to a third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins completed key passes to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to position the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.

Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three scoring throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from 11 catches.

Playoff Implications

Atlanta is now 5-9, and their surprise victory 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 two of their last 4 games. Only the division winner is assured a play-off spot.