NFL scores: Falcons face Bucs’ playoff playoff after Kyle Pitts’ big night

It was a highly anticipated NFC South matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, and it called for a spoiler.

The Falcons, eliminated from the playoffs last week, made it difficult for the boots to win the division after a walk-off field goal by Zane Gonzalez.

Tampa Bay is now 7-7 on the year, losing their last two games, while the Falcons are 5-9.

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One of the biggest news stories going into this game was the return to the line of Veteran Receiver Mike Evans, who had been sidelined since Week 4 with a collarbone injury.

While many wondered if the Bucs wanted to count the snap, it seemed that it did not appear this way as quarterback baker mayfield liked to get the ball in this country. Evans finished with 132 yards on just six catches to lead the way for the Bucs in the passing game.

However, the impressive performance of Evans was nothing compared to the Falcons who ended the fitness of Kyle Pitts, who had a career game on “Thursday night football.” In the absence of star receiver drake london, pitts has been the favorite target of Kirk Cousins ​​​​at night.

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The 6-foot-6 tight end had three touchdowns and 166 yards on 11 catches, as he and Cousins ​​found quick connection early and it was clutch late in the game.

After Mayfield was intercepted by Dee Alford for a 28-20 game, Cousins ​​and the Falcons offense had a chance to march down the field and tie the game, getting a successful two-point conversion.

Cousins, found pitts twice before, alerted to his faithful end, defended it and managed to stay within the limits of his third score of the night. A video review was needed to determine that he was staying in bounds, and while it appeared that his elbow was coming out, his back was hitting the turf in bounds at the same time. With the officials calling a touchdown at first, it was enough evidence to end the score.

Kirk Cousins ​​of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)

But the Bucs were up by two, needing a big stop to eat two points. They had just that, as the cousins ​​rushed in and it was over.

Mayfield, who had two touchdowns in the game to Chris Godwin and Deven Wan, knew they could ICE ICE ICE ICE the Drive First. But they went back on 3rd and 14, Mayfield let loose with two minutes left.

Cousins ​​didn’t have much of an impact after getting the ball back, and it was a fiery start to a drive that was full of turnovers and the game could have gone that way.

But the decision was the Bucs and the Falcons had the ball, meaning the tie goes to the upset team. That still backfires on the second cousins ​​- and 18, which turned out to be the second and 28th sentence for the joint sentence received after the indeterminacy.

However, Cousins ​​used Pitts and David Sill v to get the yardage necessary to keep the drive alive. The Falcons were in trouble for Gonzalez’s field goal, eventually burying a 43-yaker for the win.

The Boots were up 28-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but a defensive breakdown at the worst time cost them in the end.

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In the box score, Cousins ​​became a big factor during the press, passing for 373 yards on his three connections to pitts.

And we can’t forget about Bijan Robinson, the league leader in scrimmage yards with 175 (93 rushing, 82 receiving) in 27 Atlanta touchdowns.

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