The Atlanta Falcons are undoubtedly happy with Thursday night’s wild win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it won’t undo the mistakes that led this team to wind up 5-9 through the first 14 games of the season. The Falcons’ playoff fate was sealed a long time ago, even if they were just technically eliminated last week.
Nonetheless, the show must go on, and Atlanta certainly put one on for the fans tuning in for Week 15. After trailing 28-14 in the fourth quarter, Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts went to another level and helped pull off the unlikely comeback.
Advertisement
Cousins had 373 passing yards and three scores. Pitts finished with 11 grabs for 166 yards and three touchdowns. And Robinson went for 175 total yards on Thursday night. The third-year running back did have a crucial fumble but bounced back with a touchdown to keep the Falcons in the game.
On defense, the front seven got the job done while an undermanned secondary stepped up in some clutch moments. Let’s check out the team’s highest-graded players on offense and defense in Week 15, according to Pro Football Focus.
Falcons’ top 10 offensive grades in Week 15
TE Teagan Quitoriano: 74.5
Pitts led the way with a PFF grade of 90.5 in Week 15. It was by far the highest grade recorded on either side of the ball and the only elite rating of the game. Chris Lindstrom, Ryan Neuzil, Matthew Berteron and David Sills all cracked the list as well.
Advertisement
Falcons’ top 10 defensive grades in Week 15
EDGE James Pearce Jr.: 57.3
David Onyemata led the way on defense with a grade of 75.0 in Week 15. The veteran defensive lineman has been quietly efficient for the duration of his time in Atlanta, and this season is no different. Safety Jessie Bates III, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus and rookie Jalon Walker each cracked the top 10 against the Bucs.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons beat Bucs: Highest-graded players from Week 15