🔗 Share this article

National Football League 2025 Campaign: Week 15

Kyle Pitts scored three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons mounted a late comeback to snatch a last-gasp 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Placekicker Zane Gonzalez converted a clutch field goal as time ran out, while Pitts etched his name as only the 8th tight end in league history to record three receiving catches and over 150 receiving yards in a same game.

After starting the year 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 games remaining in the regular season.

They currently possess a 7-7 record after suffering 5 of their last six games. This features consecutive home-field losses in the space of 5 days to two divisional rivals who are out of postseason the race.

Contest Summary

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at the intermission. This followed Pitts, who entered Thursday's game with just one touchdown all year, hauled in his first two scores.

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

Experienced quarterback Kirk Cousins was starting his fourth straight start after a season-ending injury to Atlanta's primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The 37-year-old then led the Falcons to the thirty-second final period rally of his distinguished career.

Tailback Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts completed his hat-trick. Atlanta then regained the ball with under two minutes remaining.

And even after being pinned to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a ten-yard penalty, Cousins made crucial throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in range for Gonzalez to drill a 43-yard winning field goal.

Cousins ended the day with 373 yards through the air and three scoring passes to Pitts, who amassed 166 yards from eleven catches.

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 sit atop the NFC South and will face the Buccaneers in 2 of their last 4 games. Only the team that wins the division is guaranteed a play-off spot.