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Kyle Pitts Hat-Trick Fuels Falcons Stunning Comeback Victory Against Buccaneers.

Kyle Pitts in action during the game.

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

National Football League 2025 Season: Week 15

Kyle Pitts notched three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic comeback to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a game-winning field goal as time expired, while Pitts became only the 8th 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 initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the summit of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just three games left in the regular campaign.

They now hold a 7-7 record after losing five of their last six outings. This features consecutive home defeats in the span of five days to two division opponents who are out of postseason contention.

Game Recap

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons held a 14-13 advantage at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just a single touchdown all year, claimed his initial pair of scores.

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

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting 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 fourth-quarter comeback of his illustrious career.

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

And despite being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a ten-yard infraction, Cousins made key passes to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to position the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard winning field goal.

Cousins finished with 373 passing yards and three scoring passes to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from eleven 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 will face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last four games. Only the division winner is guaranteed a postseason spot.

By

Jesus Boone

A professional poker player and strategy analyst with over a decade of experience in competitive tournaments and coaching.

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