Added quarterback Kirk Cousins: “Kyle continues to just be a great talent when it comes to his ability to separate and run, and obviously he has a big frame. (Offensive coordinator) Zac (Robinson) did a great job — especially on a short week — designing ways to get Kyle opportunities, and we were able to take advantage of them. I did feel that between Zac and Kyle, they did a lot of great things tonight to give me a chance to get it to him.”
Already eliminated from playoff contention this year, there was little on the line for Atlanta (5-9), but Pitts likely made himself some money on the prime-time stage. He’s a pending free agent on a Falcons team that’s got plenty of uncertainty to contend with following such a disappointing campaign.
After such a starry night as Thursday, Pitts is sure to have reminded many a team of the otherworldly potential that led to his historic draft selection, which was followed by a 1,000-yard rookie season — just one of three all time for a rookie TE.
For instance, just how well would Pitts fit in the Kansas City Chiefs offense if future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce retires? Or even if he doesn’t?
With three more games guaranteed with the Falcons, Pitts is still focused on the moments at hand, though.
“I just stay in the present. I worry about today,” he said. “I don’t think too far past anything besides where my feet are and living in the moment.”
Playing Thursday in Florida, where he shined for the Gators, Pitts was Cousins’ No. 1 receiver with Drake London inactive.
“Man, I love the great state of Florida,” Pitts said.
Pitts turned in a stunning first half of football, hauling in an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter to get Atlanta on the board and following with a 17-yarder for six with just 38 seconds to go in the first half.
After the game’s first 30 minutes, Pitts had obliterated an overmatched Bucs defense to the tune of six receptions for 111 yards and the two scores.
“It was the plan,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of targeting Pitts. “Kyle’s our guy. You’re down a couple of your guys, like Drake and some of those types of guys, and Kyle’s really filled in that role and become the lead-dog guy. He’s done an awesome job. And tonight, we talked about some of the plays he didn’t make even when he had some of these good games over the last couple of weeks, but he made those plays tonight, showed up in a major way, and that was big-time play by him. It’s stuff that we expect.”