Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. delivered a standout performance in Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, catching 11 of 12 targets for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
“That’s great,” Pitts said. “Love scoring, love contributing to this offense and this team. I’m glad I could help enough to get a win.”
Pitts’ statistics marked career highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns for a single game. His 166 receiving yards are the most by any tight end in an NFL game this season, and his three touchdown catches tie him for the most by a tight end in a single game this year.
Pitts also became only the second player in NFL history to record at least 10 receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns during a Thursday game.
“Kyle continues to be a great talent when it comes to his ability to separate and run,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “Obviously, he’s a big frame, and Zac (Robinson, offensive coordinator) did a great job designing, especially on a short week, ways to get Kyle opportunities.”
Pitts scored his first touchdown on an eight-yard reception in the second quarter. He added another before halftime with a 17-yard catch and completed his third touchdown with a seven-yard reception in the fourth quarter that was confirmed after official review.
“I definitely thought I got the second foot down,” Pitts said about his final touchdown catch. “I didn’t know it was my (butt) cheek, but that helped a lot. The tight end gods. It’s like last year. I kind of got away with one last year. But the tight ends gods. Just Lord, he let me get that third one in.”
Prior to Thursday’s game, Pitts had not scored since Week 4 against Washington but had increased production over recent weeks—82 receiving yards against the New York Jets in Week 13 and 90 yards versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14.
The Falcons have relied more on Pitts as wide receiver Drake London has missed four games due to a knee injury.
“It was the plan all along,” head coach Raheem Morris said. “Kyle is our guy. You’re down a couple of your guys, like Drake…and Kyle has really filled in that role and become the lead dog guy.
“He has done an awesome job, and we talked about some of the plays he didn’t make, even when he had some of these good games over the last couple weeks, but he made those plays tonight. He showed up in a major way. That was a big-time play by him. Stuff that we expect.”
Drafted fourth overall by Atlanta in 2021, Pitts set high expectations as a rookie with 68 catches for 1,026 yards and one touchdown. A knee injury suffered in 2022 affected his performance through subsequent seasons.
Now playing under his fifth-year option contract for Atlanta through 2025, Pitts will be eligible for free agency in 2026.
“I just stay in the present,” Pitts said regarding his future plans. “I worry about today. I got all day tomorrow, and I’ll be worrying about that. I don’t think too far past anything besides where my feet are and living in the moment.”
