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Kyle Pitts Hat-Trick Powers Falcons Stunning Comeback Win Against Buccaneers.

The Falcons tight end celebrates during the game.

The star tight end has now recorded 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft.

NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts notched three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a late comeback to secure a last-gasp 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning field goal as time expired, while Pitts etched his name as only the eighth tight end in league history to achieve three receiving catches and over 150 yards through the air in a same game.

After beginning the year as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three contests left in the regular campaign.

They currently possess a 7-7 record after suffering five of their last six games. This includes back-to-back home-field defeats in the span of 5 days to two division rivals who are eliminated from postseason contention.

Game Recap

The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This came after Pitts, who entered Thursday's matchup with just a single touchdown all year, claimed his first two scores.

The Buccaneers then surged into a 28-14 advantage early in the final quarter after QB Baker Mayfield connected on scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was making his fourth consecutive start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran proceeded to guide the Falcons to the 32nd fourth-quarter comeback of his distinguished career.

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 left on the clock.

And even after being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins made crucial throws to Pitts and wideout 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 touchdown throws to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from eleven receptions.

Postseason Implications

Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their upset 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 final four games. Only the division winner is assured a play-off berth.

By

Breanna Martin

A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK startups and digital innovation, passionate about emerging technologies.

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