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National Football League 2025 Campaign: Week 15

Kyle Pitts registered three touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons engineered a dramatic comeback to secure a nail-biting 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez booted a game-winning field goal as time ran out, while Pitts became only the 8th tight end in league history to achieve three touchdown catches and more than 150 yards through the air in a same contest.

After beginning the year as one of the NFL's initial leaders, the Buccaneers have now dropped from the summit of the AFC South for the first time in 2025, with just three contests left in the regular season.

They now hold a 7-7 record after losing five of their previous six outings. This includes back-to-back home-field losses in the space of 5 days to two divisional rivals who are out of play-off contention.

Contest Summary

The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a Sean Tucker score before the Falcons took a 14-13 lead at half-time. This came after Pitts, who came into Thursday's game with just a single touchdown all year, hauled in his first two touchdowns.

The home team then surged into a 28-14 lead early in the fourth quarter after QB Baker Mayfield connected on scoring passes 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 primary quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The veteran proceeded to guide the Falcons to the 32nd fourth-quarter comeback of his distinguished career.

Running back Bijan Robinson got into the end zone before Pitts secured his three-touchdown game. Atlanta subsequently won back possession with under two minutes remaining.

And even after being pinned to a difficult third-down situation after recovering his own fumble and a 10-yard infraction, Cousins made key throws to Pitts and wideout David Sills V to get the Falcons in field goal range for Gonzalez to kick a 43-yard game winner.

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

Postseason Ramifications

Atlanta improved to 5-9, and their upset of Tampa Bay greatly helped 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 4 matchups. Only the team that wins the division is guaranteed a play-off spot.