Kyle Pitts Hat-Trick Powers Falcons Stunning Comeback Victory Over Buccaneers.

NFL 2025 Campaign: Week 15

Kyle Pitts registered three scores as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a late comeback to snatch a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning kick as time ran out, while Pitts etched his name as only the 8th tight end in league history to achieve three touchdown catches and more than 150 receiving yards in a same contest.

After beginning the season as one of the NFL's initial pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the top of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just three games left in the regular season.

They now hold a 7-7 mark after suffering five of their previous six games. This features back-to-back home-field defeats in the space of five days to two divisional opponents who are eliminated from play-off contention.

Game Recap

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons held a 14-13 advantage at half-time. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's matchup with just a single score all season, hauled in his first two scores.

The Buccaneers then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the final period after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw scoring passes to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Veteran signal-caller 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 32nd final period rally of his illustrious career.

Running back Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained the ball with under two minutes remaining.

And despite being pinned to a difficult third-down situation after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins completed key throws to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to position the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard game winner.

Cousins ended the day with 373 passing yards and three touchdown passes to Pitts, who collected 166 receiving yards from eleven catches.

Playoff 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 sit atop the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in two of their final four games. Only the team that wins the division is assured a postseason berth.