Pitts Hat-Trick Fuels Falcons Remarkable Fightback Win Against Buccaneers.

NFL 2025 Season: The fifteenth week

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.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning kick as time expired, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in NFL history to achieve three receiving catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a same contest.

After starting 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 3 games left in the regular campaign.

They now hold a 7-7 record after losing five of their last six games. This features back-to-back home-field defeats in the space of 5 days to two divisional rivals who are out of postseason contention.

Contest Summary

The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons held a 14-13 advantage at the intermission. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just one touchdown all season, claimed his first two scores.

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

Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth consecutive start after a year-ending injury to Atlanta's starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran then led the Falcons to the thirty-second final period comeback of his illustrious career.

Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta subsequently won back the ball with less than two minutes remaining.

And despite being pinned to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard penalty, Cousins completed crucial throws 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 passing yards and three touchdown throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from 11 receptions.

Postseason Ramifications

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 final four matchups. Only the division winner is assured a play-off spot.