Kyle Pitts Sr. Delivers a Career Night in Falcons’ Stunning Comeback
Let me walk you through what happened in Tampa Bay, because this one felt like the kind of performance people talk about for years. Kyle Pitts Sr. didn’t just show up for the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night — he completely took over the game. What we saw was the version of Pitts everyone imagined when he was drafted fourth overall back in 2021. And on this particular night, every bit of that potential was put on display.
Pitts caught 11 of his 12 targets, piling up 166 receiving yards and three touchdowns. All of those marks were career highs, and what made the moment even bigger is that no tight end in the NFL this season had come anywhere close to matching that kind of production in a single game. In fact, only one other tight end in league history has ever logged at least 10 catches, 150 yards and three touchdowns on a Thursday game. Pitts joined rare company.
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The damage started early. His first touchdown came in the second quarter on a clean 8-yard grab, and it set the tone for what felt like a personal mismatch against Tampa Bay’s defense. Before halftime came around, he struck again — this time from 17 yards out, giving Atlanta a much-needed spark as the offense started finding its rhythm. But the biggest moment arrived late in the fourth quarter, when he pulled in a 7-yard touchdown that had to be reviewed. It turned out he managed to get in-bounds thanks to what he jokingly called a “butt cheek” landing that kept the play alive. Even he laughed after, saying the “tight end gods” must’ve been on his side for that one.
What makes this night even more impressive is how crucial Pitts has been over the past three weeks. With Drake London out due to a knee injury, someone had to step forward as the lead receiving threat, and Pitts has taken that responsibility head-on. He’d already posted back-to-back strong outings — 82 yards against the Jets and 90 against Seattle — but this performance was something entirely different. Head coach Raheem Morris said it plainly: this was the plan. Pitts was their guy, and he delivered.
His quarterback, Kirk Cousins, echoed that praise, pointing out how Pitts’ size, speed and separation ability make him a nightmare to defend when the play calls are built around him. And on a short week, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson crafted ways to make sure Pitts got every opportunity to shine — opportunities he fully took advantage of.
Considering Pitts is playing on his fifth-year option and headed toward free agency in 2026, Thursday night couldn’t have come at a better time. Whether his future remains in Atlanta or takes him somewhere else, he just put together the best audition tape imaginable. Still, he insists he’s not thinking about any of that. He’s staying in the present, living in the moment and doing everything he can to help his team finish strong.
And on this night in Tampa, he didn’t just help — he led the way.
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