Introduction
The final score showed a one-point margin, but the box score tells a much more complex story. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats from their December 2025 clash reveal a game defined by individual brilliance, defensive struggles, and a comeback for the ages .
Kirk Cousins carved up the Tampa Bay secondary, Kyle Pitts delivered a historic performance, and Baker Mayfield’s fourth-quarter interception shifted momentum entirely .
Game Summary: Falcons 29, Buccaneers 28
The Atlanta Falcons entered Raymond James Stadium with a 5-9 record, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were fighting for the NFC South at 7-7. By the end, the Falcons had overcome a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and a franchise-record 19 penalties to escape with a stunning victory .
The game-winning 43-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez as time expired capped off one of the most improbable wins of the season.
Quarterback Stats: Cousins vs. Mayfield
The quarterback duel lived up to its billing, though the two signal-callers took vastly different paths to their final numbers.
| Stat | Kirk Cousins (ATL) | Baker Mayfield (TB) |
| Completions / Attempts | 30 / 44 | 19 / 34 |
| Passing Yards | 373 | 277 |
| Touchdowns | 3 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 116.9 | 90.0 |
| QBR | 64.5 | 51.7 |
| Sacks | 1 | 5 |
Cousins showcased his mastery of the Tampa Bay defense, improving to 3-0 against them since joining Atlanta . His final drive was a masterpiece of execution. Facing a third-and-28 with 1:49 remaining, he found Kyle Pitts for 14 yards and then hit David Sills V for 20 yards on fourth down to set up the game-winning kick .
Mayfield played well for three quarters, connecting with his newly-returned receivers. However, his interception to Dee Alford in the fourth quarter gave the Falcons life and ultimately shifted the game’s outcome .
Historic Performance by Kyle Pitts
The headline from the receiving stats belongs to Kyle Pitts. He caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first tight end since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996 to record 150+ receiving yards and three touchdowns in a single game .
Complete Receiving Stats
| Player | Team | REC | TGT | YDS | TD | AVG | YAC |
| Kyle Pitts | ATL | 11 | 12 | 166 | 3 | 15.1 | 79 |
| Bijan Robinson | ATL | 8 | 11 | 82 | 0 | 10.3 | 93 |
| David Sills V | ATL | 6 | 10 | 78 | 0 | 13.0 | 17 |
| Darnell Mooney | ATL | 3 | 6 | 35 | 0 | 11.7 | 15 |
| Mike Evans | TB | 6 | 12 | 132 | 0 | 22.0 | 8 |
| Emeka Egbuka | TB | 4 | 7 | 64 | 0 | 16.0 | 12 |
| Chris Godwin | TB | 4 | 5 | 20 | 1 | 5.0 | 11 |
The Tampa Bay receiving corps welcomed back Mike Evans, who led the team with 132 yards in his return from a broken clavicle . Jalen McMillan also returned from injury, giving the Buccaneers a full complement of receivers for the first time all season. However, Atlanta generated 204 yards after the catch compared to Tampa Bay’s 57, a discrepancy that proved decisive .
Rushing Attack: Robinson vs. Irving
Both teams established the run, but Bijan Robinson was the more impactful back. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats show Robinson’s dual-threat ability was on full display.
| Player | Team | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG |
| Bijan Robinson | ATL | 19 | 93 | 4.9 | 1 | 14 |
| Bucky Irving | TB | 16 | 60 | 3.8 | 0 | 16 |
| Rachaad White | TB | 1 | 20 | 20.0 | 0 | 20 |
| Sean Tucker | TB | 4 | 7 | 1.8 | 1 | 6 |
Robinson forced five missed tackles and amassed 175 combined yards from scrimmage. Atlanta posted a +0.20 EPA per rushing play (94th percentile), while Tampa Bay was at -0.04 . The Falcons’ rushing attack was effective enough to control the clock and keep the Buccaneers’ defense off balance.
Defensive Pressure: Pass Rush Breakdown
The pass rush stats highlight why Mayfield was under duress while Cousins had a clean pocket for most of the night.
Atlanta Falcons Pass Rush
| Player | Pos | Sacks | Hits | Hurries | Total Pressures |
| James Pearce Jr. | ED | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Brandon Dorlus | DI | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Jalon Walker | ED | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pass Rush
| Player | Pos | Sacks | Hits | Hurries | Total Pressures |
| Vita Vea | DI | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Yaya Diaby | ED | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Chris Braswell | ED | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
The Falcons’ defensive front sacked Mayfield five times, a total that could have been higher without penalties wiping out other sacks . Tampa Bay’s interior offensive line struggled to contain the Falcons’ rush, disrupting the timing of the Buccaneers’ offense .
The Game-Changing Play
Dee Alford’s interception in the fourth quarter is where this game shifted. With Tampa Bay leading 28-20, Mayfield forced a throw under pressure, and Alford stepped in front of it . The interception gave Atlanta the ball back in Tampa Bay territory, and the Falcons scored eight plays later to cut the lead to two points.
FAQs
Who won the December 2025 game between the Buccaneers and Falcons?
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-28 on a game-winning field goal as time expired .
How did Kyle Pitts perform against the Buccaneers?
Kyle Pitts had a career-best game with 11 receptions, 166 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. He became the first tight end since 1996 to record 150+ yards and three scores in a single game .
What were Baker Mayfield’s stats in this matchup?
Baker Mayfield completed 19 of 34 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one critical interception. He was also sacked five times .
How many penalties did the Falcons commit?
The Falcons set a franchise record with 19 accepted penalties for 125 yards .
What was the Falcons’ win probability at the start of the fourth quarter?
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Falcons’ win probability was as low as 4.8% with 13:29 remaining in the fourth quarter .
What was the significance of Bijan Robinson’s performance?
Bijan Robinson had 93 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, plus 82 receiving yards. His combined 175 scrimmage yards kept the Falcons’ offense moving .
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats paint a picture of a game Atlanta had no business winning yet somehow did. Cousins’ veteran savvy, Pitts’ historic dominance, and the Falcons’ ability to overcome a ridiculous number of penalties proved too much for Tampa Bay’s late-game collapse.
For the Buccaneers, this loss stung especially hard, dropping them further in the NFC South standings and raising serious questions about their ability to close out games .
As the Falcons build on this momentum, this game serves as a benchmark for how quickly momentum can shift in the NFL. Both teams will look back on this tape as they prepare for future NFC South battles. For more detailed breakdowns and the latest analysis, stay tuned to our coverage of the NFL.