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

Kyle Pitts in action during the contest.

The star tight end has now scored 14 touchdowns since being drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft.

NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts scored three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic comeback to snatch a last-gasp 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a clutch field goal as time expired, while Pitts became only the eighth tight end in NFL history to record three receiving catches and over 150 yards through the air in a single contest.

After beginning the season as one of the NFL's early-season leaders, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top 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 suffering five of their previous six games. This includes back-to-back home losses in the span of five days to two division rivals who are out of play-off the race.

Contest Recap

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 score all season, hauled in his initial pair of touchdowns.

The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 advantage early in the fourth period after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw touchdown throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth consecutive start after a season-ending injury to Atlanta's starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old proceeded to guide the Falcons to the thirty-second final period comeback of his distinguished career.

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

And even after being pinned to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins completed key passes to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to position the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.

Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three scoring passes to Pitts, who collected 166 yards from 11 receptions.

Postseason Ramifications

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 will face the Buccaneers in two of their final 4 matchups. Only the division winner is assured a play-off berth.

By

Eric Garcia

A passionate writer and explorer documenting the unique aspects of northern Canadian life and culture.

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