Pitts Hat-Trick Powers Atlanta Stunning Fightback Win Against Buccaneers.

NFL 2025 Campaign: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts registered three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic rally to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a game-winning kick as time expired, while Pitts etched his name as only the 8th tight end in NFL history to record three touchdown catches and over 150 yards through the air in a single game.

After beginning the year as one of the NFL's early-season leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just 3 contests left in the regular season.

They currently possess a 7-7 mark after losing five of their last six outings. This features back-to-back home-field defeats in the span of 5 days to two divisional rivals who are out of postseason contention.

Game Summary

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons held a 14-13 advantage at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just one score all year, claimed his first two touchdowns.

The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 lead early in the final quarter after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth straight start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old proceeded to guide the Falcons to the 32nd fourth-quarter rally of his distinguished NFL tenure.

Tailback Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts secured his three-touchdown game. Atlanta then regained possession with less than two minutes left on the clock.

And even after being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins made crucial throws to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal 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 amassed 166 yards from 11 catches.

Postseason Implications

Atlanta is now 5-9, and their surprise victory of Tampa Bay greatly helped the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now sit atop the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last 4 matchups. Only the team that wins the division is guaranteed a postseason spot.