Kyle Pitts dominated the Jets in breakout performance for Falcons

Highly-touted Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts finally has his breakout performance in a Week 5 game against the New York Jets in London.

When the Falcons selected Kyle Pitts with the fourth-overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, they were betting on a moment like this.

Pitts has finally delivered in Week 5, living up to his top tight end potential with nine receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. Averaging 13.2 yards per reception, Pitts’ best one of the day was a 39-yard grab, not to mention his two-yard touchdown catch that gave the Falcons a comfortable lead.

Kyle Pitts lands breakout performance in Week 5 London game against New York Jets

Pitts is the kind of weapon the Falcons need in order to stay relatively competitive this season. Buried at the bottom of divisional rankings, the Falcons were 1-3 entering Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. So were the 1-3 Jets, who lagged behind in the first quarter after the Falcons took a 10-0 lead. The Jets were unable to overcome the deficit, while Pitts overcame his for a commanding Week 5 performance.

Notably, Pitts’ London touchdown is the first one he’s scored all season. While his catch rate has improved over the season, Pitts has only gotten a handful of looks per game. Before his Oct. 10 breakout game, his best outing was in Week 2, when he caught five of six targets for 73 yards. Catching 9-of-10 targets for 119 yards warrants more involvement for Pitts in the Falcons offense.

A major contributing factor to the increased production is the fact that Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley did not fly to London with the team due to a personal matter. With Julio Jones now playing for the Tennessee Titans, Ridley and Pitts are imagined to be the receiving future for this team.

Ideally, Pitts’ leading performance in Week 5 warrants a bigger role in the Falcons offense as they hope to overcome their three losses on the season.