Kyle Pitts Shines' With 3 TD Game Over Buccaneers

Kyle Pitts’ long-awaited breakout might finally be the beginning, not the exception.

For four seasons, Kyle Pitts has lived in the uncomfortable space between expectation and reality. A generational tight end prospect, a rookie who crossed 1,000 yards with ease, and then years of waiting — waiting for quarterback stability, waiting for consistent usage, waiting for a game that reminded everyone why he was drafted fourth overall.

On Thursday night, that wait ended emphatically.

Pitts delivered the kind of performance that had felt mythical for far too long: 11 catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns, repeatedly overwhelming Tampa Bay’s coverage and serving as the engine behind Atlanta’s fourth-quarter comeback. Every time the Falcons needed a momentum swing, Pitts was there — boxing out defenders in the red zone, splitting seams down the middle of the field, and finally looking like a matchup nightmare rather than a theoretical one.

What made the night especially encouraging for Atlanta is how it happened. This wasn’t manufactured production or broken coverage padding the stat sheet. Pitts was targeted with purpose, trusted in critical situations, and allowed to dictate terms to the defense. Just as important, Kirk Cousins never flinched, repeatedly giving Pitts chances in tight windows — the kind of trust that’s been missing from the Falcons’ passing game in recent years.

With Michael Penix Jr. sidelined for the remainder of the season, the path forward is clear. This is Cousins’ offense now, and Thursday offered a glimpse of what it can look like when Pitts is featured rather than forgotten. Cousins has long elevated tight ends who can win downfield and in the red zone, and Pitts’ skill set fits that mold perfectly. Timing, confidence, and repetition matter — and for the first time in a while, Atlanta appears to have all three aligned.

The Falcons may already be eliminated from playoff contention, but performances like this matter far beyond the standings. For Pitts, it’s a chance to redefine his career trajectory. For Atlanta, it’s proof that the pieces still fit — and that the offense has a legitimate focal point moving forward.

Sometimes a breakout comes too late to change a season. But if Thursday night is any indication, it may have arrived just in time to change a career.