Pitts Hat-Trick Powers Falcons Remarkable Fightback Victory Over Tampa Bay.

NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15

Kyle Pitts scored three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez converted a clutch field goal as time ran out, while Pitts became only the eighth tight end in NFL history to achieve three touchdown catches and over 150 receiving yards in a same contest.

After beginning the year as one of the NFL's initial pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just 3 games left in the regular campaign.

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

Game Recap

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons held a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one touchdown all year, hauled in his first two scores.

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

Experienced signal-caller Kirk Cousins was making 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 32nd fourth-quarter rally of his illustrious career.

Tailback Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta subsequently won back the ball with under two minutes remaining.

And despite being pinned to a third and 28 after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins completed key passes to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.

Cousins ended the day with 373 passing yards and three scoring throws to Pitts, who collected 166 yards from 11 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 are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their final four matchups. Only the division winner is guaranteed a play-off berth.