Kyle Pitts Delivers Career Night as Falcons Battle Back on Thursday Night Football
Sometimes, a player just takes over. On Thursday night, that player was Kyle Pitts.
The Falcons tight end turned in a monster performance under the primetime lights, hauling in his third touchdown of the night to pull Atlanta within striking distance of the Buccaneers, 28-26. The two-point conversion attempt came up short, but Pitts’ impact was undeniable - and frankly, it’s the kind of performance Falcons fans have been waiting for.
Pitts finished the night with 10 catches for 152 yards, torching the Bucs' defense at every level. His three touchdowns - from 8, 17, and 7 yards out - showcased the full range of his skill set.
He outmuscled defenders in tight coverage, found soft spots in the zone, and reminded everyone why he was such a highly touted draft pick. With this outing, he’s now just one score shy of matching his season-best touchdown total from 2024.
The third touchdown came off the back of a key defensive play. Dee Alford picked off Baker Mayfield at the Atlanta 33-yard line, giving the Falcons a much-needed momentum swing. The offense capitalized with a 10-play drive that ended in Pitts’ third trip to the end zone.
And it wasn’t without some drama. During the drive, wide receiver Darnell Mooney had the ball punched out by veteran linebacker Lavonte David.
It looked like a turnover waiting to happen - the ball bounced into a sea of Bucs defenders - but somehow, Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil came up with the recovery. It was the kind of chaotic bounce that rarely goes in your favor, but this time, Atlanta caught a break.
That said, it hasn’t been a clean night for the Falcons. They’ve been flagged 18 times for 115 yards and have turned the ball over once.
Those kinds of mistakes usually bury a team, especially against a division rival. But thanks to Pitts’ breakout night and a timely takeaway on defense, Atlanta is still very much in it.
The Falcons will need to tighten up the discipline if they want to complete the comeback, but with Kyle Pitts playing like a man possessed, they’ve got a fighting chance.