The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ struggles against the Atlanta Falcons over the past couple of years needs to be studied. How the Bucs were able to allow the Falcons to, not only stay in this game, but end up stealing this game in Raymond-James Stadium is a remarkable feat in and of itself.

Not even accounting for the franchise record in penalties, which led to 7 first downs, the amazing return of Mike Evans, including a nasty ‘welcome to the league’ moment for Cobee Bryant, and some downright confusing decision-making from head coach Raheem Morris. There’s just nothing that says the Falcons should have won this game.

That is, except for a remarkable game from Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts. I mean, a truly sensational performance that involved only the 20th game ever where a team gained 350+ passing yards, scored 3+ passing TDs, gained 100+ rushing yards, and racked up 5+ sacks as a team (the last instance was Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit in 2023).

In this game, we had James Pearce, Jr. continue his DROY bid, an insane game from Pitts and Bijan in Drake London’s absence, and a vintage Kirk Cousins performance to knock off the top team in the NFC South.

Let’s take a look at this week’s insane highlights:

James Pearce pierces Falcons’ record book with another sack

Listen, does the process stink? Absolutely. Giving the Los Angeles Rams, one of the best teams in the league right now, a potential top-ten pick will never sit right in my mind. However, there is no denying how impactful James Pearce, Jr. has been this season.

Also, Pearce ties Mike Pitts (1983) for most sacks by a Falcons rookie with just under four games left to go.

Kyle Pitts rips off 26 yards to get the offense going

Pitts is continuing to be the number-one target for Kirk Cousins as Drake London continues to nurse his knee injury. Pitts has been a steadying force for the Falcons’ passing game, despite the consistent struggles, no matter who has been under center. Pitts’ 631 yards coming into this game have already surpassed his mark from last season, and he’s only 10 yards away from getting the most receiving yards since his 1000-yard rookie season.

Now you see Bijan, now you don’t

Bijan Robinson continues to show how elusive and truly remarkable he is in open space. Robinson may have only had a modest gain on this play, but there’s no doubt that Robinson is one of the more entertaining players with the ball in his hands.

Kirk Cousins over the Moon with Pitts’ 2nd TD of the season

Pitts has hauled in all three of his targets for 47 yards and this crucial touchdown in the early parts of this game, but more importantly, this football is a piece of history.

Kirk Cousins passes Hall of Famer Warren Moon for 16th all-time in passing touchdowns with his 292nd touchdown pass.

Kyle Pitts puts Christian Izien in a blender on 35-yard bomb

Show of hands, how many of you had ‘Kyle Pitts Legacy Game’ on your bingo card for tonight?

Kyle Pitts goes over 100 yards with 2nd TD of the game

Oh, we’re not done. Kyle Pitts is putting on a clinic against the Tampa Bay defense.

Pitts has hauled in all six of his targets for 110 yards, his first 100-yard game of this season and his first 100-yard game since December 26th of 2021, his rookie season.

Also, this is Pitts’ first game with 100+ yards and 2 or more touchdowns. He becomes only the fourth Falcons tight end to achieve the feat (Junior Miller, Alge Crumpler, & Tony Gonzalez).

James Pearce, Jr. secures the record

History secured. Pearce, Jr. bolsters his Defensive Rookie of the Year bid with a season never seen from a Falcons rookie pass rusher before. His eighth sack of the season puts him tied for the sixth-most from a rookie since 2020 with names like James Houston, Azeez Ojulari, and Byron Young.

Bijan brings Falcons within one score with TD

When Bijan Robinson gets this close to the end zone, it’s very tough to contain him, and the Bucs just figured that out in this one. Robinson is over 100 scrimmage yards yet again, his ninth outing of the season, putting him firmly in third place in the NFL behind only James Cook and Christian McCaffrey.

This drive was set up by two massive gains through the air: A third-down conversion from Kyle Pitts that led to 18 more yards on what’s been a career day for Pitts, and a 20-yard catch from David Sills V.

Dee Alford gives Falcons life with incredible INT

Dee Alford with the sensational interception! After a questionable decision that will probably still lead to a Falcons loss, Alford makes an incredible leaping grab to give the Falcons the ball back with plenty of time to score and potentially tie up this ball game.

Kyle Pitts Hat Trick puts Falcons down only two points

If Raheem Morris’ decision to go for two at the beginning of the quarter ruins this primetime Pitts performance, I will not be held responsible for my actions. With this grab, the Falcons tight end goes over 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns, the first Falcon to do that in three decades (Terance Mathis, 1995).

The Falcons were unable to snag the two-point conversion, so they are still down by two. The defense will have to get one more stop if they want a chance to win this game.

David Sills saves the day with huge 4th-down conversion

What was once a 3rd & 28 and hopeless, became an improbable 4th & 14 conversion to David Sills V on what has already been a career day for him. Sills has hauled in six of his ten targets for 78 yards, all of which are career highs for the seven-year journeyman receiver. Now, the Falcons are close to range to set up Zane Gonzalez for a potential game-winning touchdown…because, why wouldn’t they be?

There’s no describing this…Bucs fans have to be sick. Panthers fans are rejoicing, and the NFC South continues to be one of the worst divisions in the NFL. Could this mean the Falcons front office may still keep Raheem Morris for 2026? Not necessarily, the body of work is still atrocious. But, this still feels pretty good to play spoiler to Tampa Bay, who has ruled the South for the past four years.

Kirk Cousins turned back the clock as he diced up the Bucs defense. Completing 30 of his 44 attempts for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, the last time Cousins had 350+ yards, 3+ touchdowns, and zero interceptions was in week 2 of 2023.With another game with 5 sacks, the Falcons continue to build on their most impressive performance by the pass rush in franchise history, recording their sixth game with 5+ sacks on the season. This game pushes the season total to 48 total sacks, tied for 2nd-most in Falcons history with the 2004 team.