Pitts Three-Touchdown Performance Powers Atlanta Stunning Fightback Victory Over Tampa Bay.

NFL 2025 Campaign: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts notched three scores as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic rally to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a clutch field goal as time ran out, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in league history to achieve three touchdown catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a single game.

After starting the season as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the top of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three contests remaining in the regular season.

They currently possess a 7-7 record after losing 5 of their previous six outings. This includes back-to-back home losses in the space of 5 days to two divisional opponents who are eliminated from play-off contention.

Game Recap

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

The Buccaneers then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth period after QB Baker Mayfield connected on scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins was making his fourth consecutive start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old then led the Falcons to the 32nd fourth-quarter comeback of his distinguished NFL tenure.

Tailback 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 third and 28 after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins made key passes to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.

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

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 last 4 games. Only the division winner is assured a play-off berth.