The star tight end has now recorded 14 scores since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 selection process.
NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week
Kyle Pitts registered three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a late comeback to secure a last-gasp 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a clutch kick as time ran out, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in league history to achieve three receiving catches and over 150 receiving yards in a single game.
After beginning the season as one of the NFL's initial leaders, 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 last six outings. This features consecutive home defeats in the space of five days to two divisional opponents who are out of play-off the race.
Contest Summary
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 advantage at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just a single score all year, hauled in his initial pair of scores.
The Buccaneers subsequently raced into a 28-14 lead early in the final quarter after QB Baker Mayfield connected on scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.
Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was making 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 rally of his distinguished NFL tenure.
Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained the ball with less than two minutes left on the clock.
And even after being pinned to a third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins completed key passes to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to get the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard game winner.
Cousins finished with 373 yards through the air and three touchdown throws to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from eleven receptions.
Postseason Implications
Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their surprise victory 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 last 4 matchups. Only the team that wins the division is assured a play-off berth.
