Kyle Pitts Hat-Trick Fuels Falcons Remarkable Comeback Win Against Buccaneers.

National Football League 2025 Campaign: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts registered three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to secure a nail-biting 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a clutch kick as time ran out, while Pitts became only the eighth tight end in NFL history to achieve three receiving catches and more than 150 yards through the air in a same contest.

After starting the year as one of the NFL's initial pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the top of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three games left in the regular season.

They now hold a 7-7 record after suffering five of their previous six outings. This includes consecutive home-field defeats in the space of 5 days to two divisional rivals who are out of play-off the race.

Contest Summary

The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons held a 14-13 lead at half-time. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just one touchdown all season, claimed his initial pair of scores.

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

Veteran signal-caller 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 career.

Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts completed his three-touchdown game. Atlanta subsequently won back possession with under two minutes remaining.

And despite being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins completed crucial passes to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to get the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard game winner.

Cousins ended the day with 373 yards through the air and three touchdown throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 receiving yards from 11 catches.

Playoff Ramifications

Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their upset of Tampa Bay greatly helped the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now lead the NFC South and are set to face the Buccaneers in two of their last four matchups. Only the team that wins the division is guaranteed a postseason berth.