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Sunday, October 11, 2026
Colosseum Lakes

Pitts Hat-Trick Fuels Falcons Stunning Comeback Victory Over Buccaneers.

Kyle Pitts in action during the game.

The star tight end has now scored 14 scores since being selected as the number four overall pick in the 2021 selection process.

National Football League 2025 Season: The fifteenth week

Kyle Pitts notched three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a dramatic rally to secure a nail-biting 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning 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 yards through the air in a single contest.

After starting the season as one of the NFL's early-season pacesetters, the Buccaneers have now fallen from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just 3 games remaining in the regular season.

They currently possess a 7-7 mark after suffering five of their last six outings. This features consecutive home-field losses in the space of five days to two division 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 the intermission. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's matchup with just a single touchdown all year, claimed his initial pair of scores.

The home team subsequently raced into a 28-14 advantage early in the final quarter after QB Baker Mayfield threw scoring throws to Devin Culp and Chris Godwin Jr.

Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth consecutive start after a season-ending injury to Atlanta's starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old then led the Falcons to the 32nd fourth-quarter comeback of his illustrious NFL tenure.

Tailback Bijan Robinson found the end zone before Pitts completed his three-touchdown game. Atlanta then regained possession with less than two minutes left on the clock.

And even after being backed up to a difficult third-down situation after a fumble recovery and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins made crucial throws to Pitts and receiver David Sills V to position the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard winning field goal.

Cousins ended the day with 373 passing yards and three touchdown 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 greatly helped the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers (7-6) now lead the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last four games. Only the division winner is guaranteed a play-off berth.

About the author

Robert Russo

A seasoned journalist and political analyst with a passion for exploring societal trends and fostering informed discussions.

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