The Atlanta Falcons earned a 29-28 come-from-behind victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, with Kirk Cousins throwing three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts as time expired, creating an opportunity for Zane Gonzalez to kick the game-winning field goal.
Facing a third-and-28 on the Falcons’ final drive, Cousins completed a 14-yard pass to Pitts and a 20-yard pass on a fourth-and-14 to David Sills, setting up Gonzalez.
The Falcons (5-9) overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit to end Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes.
Leader in statistics:
falcons
Passing: Kirk Cousins, 30/44, 373 yards, 3 TDs Rushing: Bijan Robinson, 19 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD Receiving: Kyle Pitts, 11 catches, 166 yards, 3 TDs
buccaneers
Passing: Baker Mayfield, 19-of-34, 277 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing: Bucky Irving, 16 carries, 60 yards receiving: Mike Evans, 6 catches, 132 yards
Cousins, who lost the starting spot to Michael Penix Jr. last year after signing a free agent contract that included $100 million guaranteed, has been an owner of the Buccaneers since joining the Falcons last season. He is 3-0 against opponents with 1,158 passing yards, 11 TDs and one pick. He finished the game 30 of 44 for 373 yards.
“Pro football tests you,” Cousins said. “That’s what keeps me on my knees (in prayer). It’s been a tough two years since I tore my Achilles tendon. All I know is to keep going and have faith and walk by faith and not by sight. That can be difficult at times. On nights like tonight, it keeps me going.”
Kyle Pitts celebrates after scoring 1 of 3 touchdowns
Baker Mayfield made a crucial interception in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers (7-7) lost for the fifth time in six games and trailed Carolina in the NFC South by a half-game. The four-time division champions will face the Panthers (7-6) twice in their final three games.
“This is going to bother me. It’s going to be on my shoulders,” Mayfield said. “It’s not the defense’s fault. It’s my fault.”
On the 48th anniversary of the franchise’s first win (after an 0-26 start), the Buccaneers, wearing creamsicle jerseys, were booed from the field.
“No excuses,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said in an expletive-filled response. “You have to pay close attention to where it hurts. It has to mean something to you. It’s more than a job. It’s your (bleep) livelihood. How well do you know your job? How well can you do it? You can’t cover it up.”
After Pitts made a leaping, acrobatic grab for a 7-yard TD with 3:34 left to put the Falcons up 28-26, Cousins under pressure threw an incomplete two-point conversion try.
The Falcons forced the Buccaneers to punt, and with no timeouts, they got the ball at their own 30 with 1:49 remaining.
Haason Reddick sacked Cousins, forcing a fumble that the Buccaneers grabbed out of the pile. However, officials determined the ball was recovered by both teams at the same time, giving the Falcons possession.
Pitts had 11 catches for 166 yards, becoming the first tight end to record 150 yards receiving and three TDs since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996.
Mayfield threw a 6-yard TD pass to Devin Culp, the second-year pro’s first NFL score, making it 20-14.
On the ensuing drive, Sills would have made a 44-yard TD catch, but the Falcons ended up punting.
Pitts dives into end zone on career night
After taking a shot from Christian Isien, Bejan Robinson fumbled on Atlanta’s next possession and was recovered by Jacob Parrish at the Falcons’ 25.
Mayfield threw a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Godwin Jr., and the two converted for a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 28-14.
But Robinson’s 6-yard TD run cut the lead to 28-20 with less than 10 minutes left. After the Falcons missed a two-point try, Dee Alford picked off Mayfield’s pass and Atlanta drove 67 yards and scored.
Mayfield has all of his wide receivers available for the first time this season, with six-time Pro Bowl selection Mike Evans and second-year pro Jalen McMillan coming off injured reserve. Evans broke his collarbone on Oct. 20, and McMillan broke three vertebrae in his neck during the preseason.
Evans made an immediate impact, catching six passes for 132 yards and earning several penalties.
Pitts was wide open on his first two TD catches. He caught a 17-yard pass from Cousins to give the Falcons a 14-10 lead with less than a minute left in the first half.
Cousins gave Atlanta a first down with an offsides penalty on cornerback Zion McCollum during a field goal, then threw an 8-yard TD pass to Pitts on one play to tie the game at 7-7.
Cousins beat the Buccaneers twice last year in his first season in Atlanta. He threw for 785 yards, eight touchdowns, and only one interception. In one of the games won, he had 509 passing yards.
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