Kyle Pitts of the Falcons achieves his first 100-yard game this season

Kyle Pitts Shines in Falcons’ Matchup Against Buccaneers

Kyle Pitts had an impressive outing during the first half of the game against the Buccaneers on Thursday.

In the Week 15 “Thursday Night Football” clash, the Falcons’ tight end recorded six catches for 111 yards and found the end zone twice.

His first two touchdowns were scored in the second quarter, thanks to short red-zone passes from Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins. He added another touchdown in the fourth quarter, showcasing his impact on the game.

This performance came despite him being listed as questionable leading up to the game due to knee issues that kept him from practicing fully all week. It’s sort of remarkable, right? It’s not every day you see someone play at a high level after such uncertainty.

At just 25 years old, Pitts has yet to miss a game this season. He’s become one of the premier tight ends in the league, landing in the top five for both receptions (62) and receiving yards (631).

Now in his contract year, Pitts has spent his entire five-year NFL career with the Falcons. He has amassed 3,282 receiving yards overall and even made a Pro Bowl appearance during his rookie season, which is quite an achievement to carry into the conversations about his future.

Despite the Falcons’ struggles this season with a 4-9 record, Pitts has emerged as a key offensive player. In fact, offensive coordinator Zach Robinson referred to him as “the No. 1 player we’re targeting,” which really emphasizes his importance in the game plan.

Earlier this season, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is sidelined with a partially torn left ACL, had praised Pitts and noted his plans to involve tight ends heavily in the offense. It’s a bit of a shame Penix is out; who knows how they could have connected if he were playing?