🔗 Share this article Kyle Pitts Hat-Trick Fuels Atlanta Stunning Fightback Victory Over Buccaneers. Kyle Pitts has now recorded 14 scores since being drafted as the number four overall pick in the 2021 draft. National Football League 2025 Season: The fifteenth week Kyle Pitts notched three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a late rally to snatch a last-gasp 29-28 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kicker Zane Gonzalez converted a game-winning field goal as time expired, while Pitts became only the eighth tight end in league history to achieve three receiving catches and over 150 yards through the air in a single game. After beginning the season as one of the NFL's early-season leaders, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the initial time in 2025, with just three contests remaining in the regular season. They currently possess a 7-7 record after suffering five of their last six games. This includes back-to-back home-field defeats in the span of 5 days to two division opponents who are out of postseason the race. Game Recap The Buccaneers started the scoring with a Sean Tucker touchdown before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at half-time. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's matchup with just a single touchdown all year, hauled in his first two touchdowns. The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter after quarterback Baker Mayfield threw touchdown throws 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 proceeded to guide the Falcons to the 32nd final period rally of his illustrious career. Running back Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts secured his hat-trick. Atlanta subsequently won back possession with under two minutes remaining. And despite being pinned to a difficult third-down situation after a fumble recovery and a 10-yard infraction, Cousins made crucial throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard winning field goal. Cousins ended the day with 373 passing yards and three scoring throws to Pitts, who amassed 166 receiving yards from eleven catches. Playoff 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 sit atop the NFC South and are set to face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last four games. Only the division winner is assured a play-off berth.